Access to Clean Water in Gaza: A Worsening Crisis Amid Disease Outbreaks

In Gaza, the destruction of vital infrastructure continues to exacerbate a severe water crisis. Recently, a major water well in Rafah, essential for providing clean water to 100,000 residents, was destroyed. This incident highlights the broader issue of restricted access to safe drinking water, contributing to the resurgence of preventable diseases like polio and other health challenges.

The destroyed water well is in the Tel al-Sultan district, in a neighborhood popularly known as “Canada” because the country supported various projects in that area over the past decades. It is often referred to as the Canada Well, though in recent years, it has operated on funding from the United Nations and Japan.

Access to clean water has been a long-standing issue in Gaza, a situation made worse by the ongoing conflict. The destruction of water wells and sewage treatment facilities has left much of the population reliant on unsafe water sources. As a result, waterborne diseases are rampant, and the region is witnessing the reemergence of polio—a disease that had been eradicated from Gaza over 25 years ago!

The polio virus thrives in environments with poor sanitation, and the current water crisis in Gaza provides the perfect breeding ground for its resurgence. Inadequate waste management and the contamination of water supplies with untreated sewage have created a public health emergency. Particularly vulnerable children are now at an increased risk of contracting this debilitating disease, alongside other waterborne illnesses like diarrhea and hepatitis​.

The destruction of water infrastructure, such as the recent incident involving the water well, severely undermines efforts to provide clean water to Gaza’s population. This not only threatens public health but also hampers humanitarian efforts aimed at alleviating the crisis. Without access to clean water, the entire population’s health is at risk, particularly that of children and the elderly, who are most susceptible to waterborne diseases.

Supporting Clean Water Initiatives

IF Charity is deeply concerned about the ongoing water crisis in Gaza and its devastating impact on public health. We believe that access to clean water is a fundamental human right and a cornerstone of public health. Our emergency aid work in Gaza right now is, among other things, focused on restoring and improving water infrastructure, ensuring that families in Gaza have access to safe, clean water.

The destruction of critical water infrastructure in Gaza not only exacerbates the daily hardships faced by its residents but also has severe public health implications, including the resurgence of the polio virus and other infectious diseases.

Your support is crucial in helping us address these urgent needs. Donating to IF Charity can support vital projects to provide clean water and reduce the spread of waterborne diseases in Gaza. Support our clean water initiatives today and make a difference in the lives of Gaza’s most vulnerable populations. Donate now.