Gaza's Water Access Below Survival Minimums, NGO Warns

The population of the Gaza Strip is enduring a critical humanitarian crisis, marked by severely limited access to water, with daily availability falling between 6 and 15 liters per person – levels described by the NGO Action Against Hunger as "below the minimum standard for survival." This situation marks 1,000 days since the start of the Israeli offensive in Gaza, with water scarcity remaining a primary risk for families.

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Many areas do not have drinking water. People drink what they can, even if it is not safe.

Natalia Anguera, Action Against Hunger's Middle East Operations Manager, highlighted that many areas lack potable water, forcing residents to consume unsafe sources. The crisis is compounded by restrictions on the entry of crucial supplies such as fuel, spare parts, and generators. These limitations prevent desalination plants and water systems from functioning, further restricting access to clean water. Additionally, a lack of water treatment chemicals and damaged pipelines contribute to the scarcity, while the collapse of sanitation systems and accumulating waste have led to pest infestations and a public health crisis.

Despite a ceasefire and the daily entry of approximately 160 aid trucks, Action Against Hunger reports that only half of this aid reaches its intended recipients within Gaza, with convoys often delayed at border crossings. The persistent lack of essential resources has led to a deterioration in diet quality, resulting in not only acute malnutrition but also chronic malnutrition, particularly among children.

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prevents the operation of desalination plants and water systems

Cristina Izquierdo, Action Against Hunger's emergency team nutrition coordinator, warned that the near-total absence of proteins, vitamins, and micronutrients in diets has irreversible consequences for children's growth, health, and future. Rising prices for basic goods and the destruction of local production capacity intensify Gaza's dependence on external aid. Action Against Hunger continues its operations on the ground despite the challenging restrictions and evolving context.

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an irreversible impact: it affects their growth, their health, and their future.