Gaza's Water Crisis: Urgent Action Needed to Prevent Humanitarian Catastrophe

The ongoing conflict in Gaza has created a severe water and sanitation crisis that threatens public health and requires urgent international action. Experts from UNICEF, Oxfam, WHO, and humanitarian organizations on the ground provided insights into the dire situation and potential solutions during a recent panel discussion.

The Scale of the Water Crisis

The water situation in Gaza has deteriorated dramatically since the conflict escalated in October 2023:

• Water availability has plummeted from 83 liters per person per day before the war to just 2-9 liters currently
• 68% of water and sewage infrastructure has been damaged or destroyed
• Water production capacity has dropped to only 20% of pre-war levels
• Only 3 out of 283 water wells remain operational
• 2 out of 3 seawater desalination plants are functioning intermittently due to fuel shortages

This severe lack of clean water and sanitation has created a public health emergency:

• Over 50% of children under 5 have suffered serious infectious illnesses
• There have been 500,000 cases of acute diarrhea
• 880,000 cases of hepatitis A have been reported
• Extreme malnutrition threatens over 500,000 people
• Environmental polio has been detected at multiple sites, raising fears of an outbreak

Key Challenges

Experts highlighted several key challenges exacerbating the water crisis:

Destruction of Infrastructure

The extensive damage to water and sanitation infrastructure has crippled Gaza's ability to produce and distribute clean water. Key facilities that have been damaged or destroyed include:

• Water wells
• Desalination plants
• Sewage treatment plants
• Water distribution networks
• Electricity infrastructure needed to power water facilities

Rebuilding this infrastructure will be a massive undertaking that could take years.

Lack of Electricity and Fuel

Without reliable electricity and fuel supplies, remaining water facilities cannot operate effectively. Power shortages have:

• Reduced water production capacity
• Prevented sewage pumping stations from functioning
• Limited the ability to treat wastewater

Restrictions on Aid and Supplies

Strict controls on what can enter Gaza have severely hampered humanitarian efforts:

• It takes 3-4 months on average for critical supplies to be cleared for entry
• Many "dual-use" items needed for water infrastructure are restricted
• Fuel imports remain extremely limited

Displacement and Overcrowding

The mass displacement of over 2 million Gazans has overwhelmed remaining water and sanitation facilities:

• Shelters and displacement camps lack adequate water and toilets
• Overcrowding increases disease transmission risks
• Damage to homes has left many without basic water and sanitation

Solid Waste Management

The breakdown of waste collection and treatment systems has created additional health hazards:

• Garbage is piling up in streets and camps
• Landfills are inaccessible due to fighting
• Sewage is flooding streets in some areas

Public Health Implications

The lack of clean water and proper sanitation has created ideal conditions for the spread of infectious diseases:

Waterborne Diseases

Cases of waterborne illnesses have skyrocketed, including:

• Acute diarrhea
• Hepatitis A and E
• Skin infections

Experts warn that cholera outbreaks are a major risk if conditions do not improve.

Polio Threat

The detection of environmental polio at multiple sites in Gaza has raised alarm about a potential outbreak. Key concerns include:

• Polio spreads rapidly in areas with poor sanitation
• Many young children are unvaccinated due to disruptions in immunization programs
• An outbreak could potentially spread to neighboring countries

Malnutrition

Lack of clean water compounds food shortages, worsening malnutrition:

• Over 500,000 people face extreme malnutrition risks
• Infants and young children are especially vulnerable
• Malnutrition increases susceptibility to infectious diseases

Humanitarian Response Efforts

Despite immense challenges, humanitarian organizations are working to improve water and sanitation conditions:

UNICEF Initiatives

UNICEF is leading several key efforts:

• Supporting operation of remaining water production facilities
• Repairing damaged water infrastructure where possible
• Distributing water by truck to displacement camps
• Installing small mobile desalination units
• Advocating for restoration of electricity to water facilities

NGO Projects

NGOs like the Rosovich Venesky Foundation are undertaking targeted interventions:

• Installing desalination units at hospitals and shelters
• Repairing water systems in homes and clinics
• Distributing hygiene supplies

UN Agency Coordination

UN agencies are coordinating the overall WASH (water, sanitation and hygiene) response:

• Mapping needs and coordinating aid delivery
• Advocating for improved humanitarian access
• Planning for larger-scale infrastructure repairs

Challenges to the Humanitarian Response

Humanitarian organizations face major obstacles in addressing the water crisis:

Access Restrictions

• Limited ability to move personnel and supplies within Gaza
• Long delays in getting critical materials cleared for entry
• Inability to access certain areas due to ongoing fighting

Destruction of Aid Infrastructure

• Loss of warehouses, vehicles and equipment
• Damage to UN facilities and NGO offices

Safety Risks

• 278 humanitarian workers have been killed in the conflict
• Repairing infrastructure in conflict zones is extremely dangerous

Funding Shortfalls

• Some major donors have suspended funding to key agencies like UNRWA
• Overall humanitarian funding for Gaza remains inadequate

Recommendations for Urgent Action

Experts emphasized the need for immediate steps to address Gaza's water crisis:

Improve Humanitarian Access

• Establish unimpeded humanitarian corridors
• Accelerate clearance of critical supplies
• Allow entry of "dual-use" materials needed for water infrastructure

Restore Basic Services

• Reconnect electricity to water production and treatment facilities
• Allow increased fuel imports for generators and water trucks
• Permit spare parts and equipment for infrastructure repairs

Increase Aid

• Boost funding for WASH programs and overall humanitarian response
• Support salaries for local water utility workers
• Provide resources for large-scale infrastructure rehabilitation

Protect Civilians and Aid Workers

• Ensure protection of water facilities and sanitation infrastructure
• Establish clear deconfliction mechanisms for humanitarian operations
• Hold accountable those who target water resources and aid workers

Work Towards Ceasefire

• Push for an immediate ceasefire to allow unfettered humanitarian access
• Negotiate "days of tranquility" to enable vaccination campaigns
• Pursue a lasting political solution to enable long-term recovery

Long-Term Outlook

Experts stressed that addressing Gaza's water crisis will require sustained effort even after fighting ends:

• Rebuilding destroyed infrastructure could take over a decade
• Restoring aquifers and other water resources will be a long-term process
• Psychological impacts on the population will persist for years

Without major changes, Gaza faces a protracted public health emergency with regional implications. Urgent action is needed from the international community to prevent further loss of life and enable recovery.

Conclusion

The water and sanitation crisis in Gaza has reached catastrophic levels, threatening the health and survival of over 2 million people. While humanitarian organizations are working tirelessly to provide aid, the scale of destruction and ongoing access restrictions severely limit their impact.

Immediate steps are needed to increase water supplies, repair critical infrastructure, and enable a more robust humanitarian response. However, experts stress that only an end to the conflict and lifting of the blockade will allow for sustainable solutions.

The situation in Gaza is not just a localized crisis, but a threat to regional stability and global health security. How the international community responds will have far-reaching implications for humanitarian norms and geopolitics in the Middle East and beyond.

Urgent, coordinated action is required to address this unfolding catastrophe and lay the groundwork for Gaza's long-term recovery and development. Clean water and sanitation are fundamental human rights - ensuring access for all Gazans must be a top priority for the international community in the weeks and months ahead.

Article created from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-uxo8ESHG9M