Water survey reveals ‘alarming rates’ of contamination in Gaza
An emergency water quality survey conducted by UN and aid agencies in Gaza has found “alarming rates of microbiological contamination”, the groups say.
Between December 1 and 23, out of 306 water samples collected from all governorates except North Gaza, some 79 percent lacked adequate quantities of chlorine, while 19 percent showed contamination by faecal coliforms, the survey shows.
This rate rises to more than 21 percent in healthcare facilities.
Overall, the groups say, nearly 73 percent of drinking water and more than 97 percent of domestic water samples were not compliant with the minimum standards for water chlorination, because of limited access to water testing equipment, shortages of disinfecting consumables, and the overall disruption of the water quality control system.
The findings follow a Human Rights Watch report that accused Israel of committing “acts of genocide” by denying clean water to Palestinians in Gaza.
UN reports ‘abysmal’ conditions at new displacement sites in Gaza City
Israel’s siege and relentless attacks on North Gaza – including Jabalia, Beit Hanoon and Beit Lahiya – have forced the displacement of tens of thousands of Palestinians.
Many of them sought refuge in Gaza City.
OCHA, the UN’s humanitarian agency, says those in Gaza City had fled on foot without any personal belongings and are now “struggling to meet even their most basic needs”.
UN agencies conducted a needs assessment at four makeshift displacement sites that are currently hosting more than 1,900 families in Gaza City, and found “abysmal water and sanitation conditions”, it said.
The survey also found that:
- There is a dire lack of toilets and hygiene supplies across all sites, while sewage and solid waste continue to pile up. At one site, people are forced to walk several hundred metres to another heavily congested site to use a toilet.
- Access to drinking and domestic water is extremely limited at all sites.
- Only one site has received food assistance, while the other three have not received any type of food or nutrition assistance since their establishment in December.
- Three of the sites do not have access to nearby medical points.
UN aid chief says ‘almost zero access’ to besieged north Gaza despite 140 attempts
Tom Fletcher, the UN under-secretary-general for humanitarian affairs and emergency relief, said survivors of the “horrific destruction” in northern Gaza, which has been under months of Israeli siege and bombardment, must be reached.
In a post on social media, Fletcher said Israeli authorities have given “almost zero access” to the north of Gaza despite more than 140 attempts by the UN over two months to reach the area’s “besieged civilians”.
Access to survivors was all the more urgent “especially now last hospitals have been taken out”, he said.
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