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The water crisis in the Gaza Strip is one of the largest humanitarian disasters, deeply impacting the lives of Gaza’s residents. It has left them facing daily suffering that threatens the lives of hundreds of thousands, especially children and women, who have been deprived of their most basic human rights and find themselves in long queues for clean water amid a severe shortage of resources and the ongoing destruction of infrastructure.
Before the crisis, Gaza’s per capita freshwater supply was only about 20.5 liters per day, compared to the international average of 100-300 liters per day. This vast difference reflects the extent of the struggle the strip’s residents were experiencing to meet their basic water needs.
Gaza relies heavily on groundwater, but 97% of it is undrinkable due to contamination and seawater intrusion, leading to high salinity. As a result, only 4% of the population had access to clean water before the crisis.
Gaza relies entirely on three limited desalination plants, in addition to three external water supply pipelines. These plants ceased operation completely at the onset of the crisis, leaving a severe shortage of water to meet the needs of the population. Consequently, the sight of water trucks selling water was familiar even before the start of the recent war, given the strip’s dire need for large-scale desalination projects amid the dilapidated infrastructure.
The shortage of water is another crisis added to the long list of crises plaguing the Strip. This situation has forced thousands of families to rely on unsafe water sources, increasing the risk of waterborne diseases that the dilapidated health sector is unable to combat.
40% of the water network has been destroyed, and the water supply from the three main pipelines has been cut off. Power outages and fuel shortages have led to a shortage of available water and an inability to extract water from wells, bringing the total available water to only 10-20% of previous levels.
Water production capacity has fallen by 95%, and the per capita water share has sharply decreased to only 3 liters for all daily needs, while the World Health Organization recommends an absolute minimum of 50 liters per person per day.
The majority of Gaza’s population is unable to access safe drinking water. Through limited desalination efforts and reliance on a few operational wells, people obtain water only after waiting in line for six to ten hours, often occurring just once every two weeks. This responsibility frequently falls on children, who spend much of their time collecting water or food for their families.
The majority of Gaza’s population is unable to access safe drinking water. With some simple desalination efforts and reliance on a few wells, Gazans obtain water after waiting in line for six to ten hours, a situation that can occur once every two weeks. This role is usually taken on by children who spend their days collecting water or food.
Gaza’s desert climate means rainwater is not a reliable source of water throughout the year. Like many parts of the world, Gaza is experiencing the effects of climate change and seeing hotter, drier periods.
Despite the climatic conditions, it is important to note that the water crisis in Gaza is largely man made and a direct result of occupation. Israel, Gaza, the West Bank and Jerusalem share roughly the same climate, but there is a stark difference in Palestinians’ ability to access water as well as the quality of that water.
The average Israeli citizen consumes around 240 litres of water per day, three times that of a Palestinian in the West Bank (82 litres) and 80 times what people in Gaza currently have access to.
Desalination is a process several countries use to remove salt from seawater, making it safe to use for drinking and farming. It is particularly heavily employed in the Middle East and Gaza does have a desalination plant. However, without stable electricity and fuel supplies, the desalination plant cannot function properly and provide safe water.
On top of this, Gaza’s access to the sea is tightly restricted and has become more so since the escalation began.
Thanks to your support, as part of our urgent response to the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, Islamic Relief is working to provide clean water to the people of the strip. So far, over 110,115 people have benefited daily from the clean water distributed by water tankers. These efforts have continued throughout the crisis and alhamdulillah, continue to this day. Providing and distributing clean water is an integral part of our daily relief efforts to alleviate the water crisis in Gaza.
Thanks to you, we can restore hope to the people of Gaza and bring smiles to the faces of grieving families. Water can save lives. By supporting Islamic Relief, you will be helping the people of Gaza to receive this vital aid.
The Messenger Muhammad (pbuh) said: “Any Muslim who gives a thirsty Muslim a drink, Allah will give him a drink of the sealed nectar.”
Providing water to the people of Gaza is one of the greatest acts of kindness and one of the most beloved deeds to God. Water is the foundation of life, and the people of Gaza suffer from a severe shortage of potable water due to the blockade and the difficult circumstances they endure. Providing them with clean water is an ongoing charity and an act that quenches their thirst and alleviates their suffering. It also reflects the values of solidarity and compassion that Islam encourages.
The noble companion of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) Sa`d ibn `Ubadah (may Allah be pleased with him), asked the Messenger of Allah “which charity is best?” Meaning, which charitable acts are most rewarding and beneficial? The Messenger of Allah (pbuh) said: “Giving water to drink.”
As the crisis continues, your contribution makes a huge difference in the lives of the people of Gaza. Water is the key to life , and providing it saves lives and restores hope to distressed families. Save lives with water. Donate now.