Lana Nusseibeh, the Permanent Representative of the UAE to the UN, inaugurated on Monday the first of three desalination plants the Emirates is building on the Mediterranean coast on the Egyptian side of the Rafah Border Crossing to send water into the Gaza Strip.
Gazans are currently living on less than 3 litres of water a day. The majority of the enclave's supply comes from a coastal aquifer, and the quality is brackish and often undrinkable. Critical shortigious of fuel and electricity have rendered treatment plants dysfunction.
Initiative Necessary To Reduce Illness & Disease
The desalination plants are expected to supply 300,000 Gazans with treated water every day. Although the amount alone is not enough, it is an important step in relieving the suffering of the people after Israel largely cut supplies to the territory following the Hamas assault.
At the moment, water is taken into Gaza via lorry, adding to the burden of trying to bring vehicles carrying aid into the Palestinian enclave. Maha Barakat, UAE Assistant Foreign Minister for Health and Life Sciences, said "this is a far more efficient way."
On November 8, the World Health Organisation raised serious concerns over the rapid spread of infectious diseases in Gaza due to intense overcrowding and disrupted services. More than half of the enclave's infrastructure are now destroyed, with most of the hospitals barely functional.
Having announced the building of the three desalination plants on November 16, the first one has become operational less than a month later. Dr Barakat said the initiative is necessary to reduce illness and disease, noting children in Gaza have been drinking dirty water.
Emirates Strengthens Relief Efforts For Palestinians
On November 5, the UAE launched the 'Gallant Knight 3' humanitarian operation to provide assistance to the troubled Palestinians. It sent 105 aircraft carrying a field hospital, desalination plants and more than 7,126 tonnes of food, medical and relief supplies.
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