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🇮🇩 Indonesia /Health & Science

WHO Warns of Deteriorating Water Quality in Gaza

From Republika · () Indonesian

Translated from Indonesian and summarized by DistantNews. Read the original for the full story.

At a glance

News Named sources Ongoing story
  • The WHO says microbiological contamination in Gaza water samples rose from just under 6% in January to nearly 20% in August 2026.
  • Acute watery diarrhea cases increased from 30,000 in March to 58,000 in August, while flooding, waste and damp shelters could raise disease risks during winter.
  • The WHO is calling for faster humanitarian access, medical supplies, reliable clean water and proper waste management, as more than 6,600 amputees reportedly need long-term care and assistive products.

The World Health Organization is warning that Gaza’s water quality has sharply deteriorated as winter approaches, increasing the danger of disease in an enclave where much of the infrastructure lies in ruins.

What is very concerning for us is that the water quality is deteriorating.

— Reinhilde Van de WeerdtThe WHO representative described the worsening water contamination in Gaza.

Reinhilde Van de Weerdt, the WHO representative for the occupied Palestinian territory, said microbiological contamination had risen nearly threefold this year. Of more than 6,500 samples tested, contamination increased from just under 6% in January to almost 20% in August.

The health consequences are already visible. Cases of acute watery diarrhea rose from 30,000 in March to 58,000 in August, an increase of nearly 100% in about five months. Laboratory capacity remains limited, meaning health authorities can detect and track only the most important microbiological contaminants in water and the environment.

Of more than 6,500 samples tested, we went from just under 6% contamination in January to almost 20% last month, just this past August.

— Reinhilde Van de WeerdtShe gave figures showing the rise in microbiological contamination.

Van de Weerdt warned that rain and winter flooding in densely populated areas could spread sewage, excrement and contaminated water into places where people sleep, cook and care for relatives. Standing water could create breeding grounds for mosquitoes and pests, while damp, mold-filled tents could increase respiratory illness, particularly among young children.

Rain and winter are approaching. Flooding in these very crowded places will spread sewage, excrement and contaminated water to places where people sleep, cook and care for their loved ones.

— Reinhilde Van de WeerdtShe warned about the health risks of winter weather and flooding.

She also highlighted the lack of essential services for amputees. More than 6,600 people in Gaza are estimated to need long-term care after limb amputations, yet products that could help many, including children, walk and live with dignity have not entered Gaza since May 2024. Van de Weerdt urged unimpeded humanitarian access, especially for medical supplies, clean water and waste-management support.

What we really need to do now is protect the vulnerable people we find in terms of health, and that means preventing outbreaks in the Gaza Strip by every possible means.

— Reinhilde Van de WeerdtShe called for urgent disease prevention and faster confirmation of potential outbreaks.
About this summary

Originally published by Republika in Indonesian. Translated, summarized, and contextualized automatically by DistantNews, with a note on how the source frames the story. Not individually reviewed before publishing. How this works.

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