Water and sanitation (Gaza Strip)
On 9 December, the Coastal Municipalities Water Utility (CMWU) completed a repair of a main water pipeline in the Rafah governorate that had been previously damaged. As a result, it is now providing water to about 25,000 people in the northeast area of the governorate. The repair was supported by UNICEF through the provision of pipes and other materials acquired by the agency prior to 7 October.
On 9 November, CMWU completed the installation of a 10 cubic meter mobile water tank, previously provided by UNICEF, on the roof of Al Aqsa University in Khan Younis. As a result, more than 25,000 IDPs sheltering in this site started receiving clean water. The tank is being regularly refilled from a nearby water well. Another two similar water tanks are being installed at the under-construction Qatari Hospital in Rafah, which is the largest site that currently accommodate the new arriving IDPs.
On 8 December, the CMWU distributed fuel provided by UNRWA to water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) facilities in Rafah, enabling them to run generators for the upcoming seven days.
On 7 December, following coordination between the Palestinian Water Authority and the Israeli military, the Deir Al Balah seawater desalination plant, in the Middle Area, resumed its operations, with limited capacity. This plant has been closed for the past three days as staff were not able to reach it due to the intense hostilities in the area.
On 8 December, the Gaza Municipality reported that sewage was flowing in the streets after all pumping stations had ceased operations due to lack of fuel. The municipality also reported that all but three water wells had also stopped working due to the same reason.
Grave concerns about waterborne diseases due to water consumption from unsafe sources persist, particularly in the north, where the water desalination plant and the pipeline from Israel was shut down. There has been almost no improvement for residents in the north in their access to water for drinking and domestic purposes for weeks.
UNRWA continues to operate nine water wells pumping about 10,000 cubic metres a day to provide potable and domestic water supply in shelters across Gaza. Potable water trucking operations to the shelters in Rafah and Khan Younis areas continue, despite the dangerous conditions. Additionally, shelters in Rafah started receiving potable water through tankers from the Coastal Municipalities Water Utility.
Read the full report: Hostilities in the Gaza Strip and Israel | Flash Update #64
People queueing for food assistance. Across Gaza, most areas are off limits or unsafe for humanitarian organizations to reach and provide critical assistance. A recent survey has found that one in every three respondent families is experiencing severe hunger. Photo by the World Food Programme, 8 December