In the military actions since the start of Israel's Operation Cast Lead on 27 December 2008, hundreds of thousands in Gaza have been cut off from water and sanitation and infrastructure has been badly damaged. The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) flash appeal for Gaza includes US$ 25 million (€ 19.5 million) for water and sanitation. The UK Department for International Development (DFID) has pledged £ 600,000 (US$ 871,000 = € 679,000) to Oxfam to provide water and sanitation for at least 50,000 people and health and hygiene-related relief items to 2,100 families.

On 30 January 2009 OCHA reported that 70% of water wells in Gaza were functioning, though 10,000 people remained without access to water. Sewage had been stopped from leaking into the streets, but there was still a risk that it could contaminate water pipes damaged during the fighting as well as groundwater. Restrictions on the goods that can cross into Gaza were impeding the repair of the sewage and water systems.

Humanitarian organizations, including Action Contre la Faim (ACF), CARE, ICRC, Oxfam and UNICEF are providing drinking water and supporting the Coastal Municipalities Water Utility (CMWU) to perform urgent repairs.

Related news: Palestine, Gaza: victims of ‘wall of human waste', Source Weekly, 25 Apr 2008

Related web sites: Coastal Municipalities Water Utility ; ReliefWeb - OPT - latest updates water & santation

Source: OCHA, occupied Palestinian territory: Gaza Situation Report No. 19, 30 Jan 2009 ; DFID, 29 Jan 2009

Tags: emergencies, financing, middle east & north africa, sewerage, water supply