Oxfam's personnel stationed in Gaza paint a grim picture of streets marred by heaps of human waste and torrents of sewage, where residents are forced to consume tainted water and endure insect bites amid unsanitary conditions, creating a fertile breeding ground for epidemics such as Hepatitis A and cholera, the charity cautions.
The severity of the situation is compounded by Israel's military offensive in Rafah, which not only heightens the potential for mass civilian casualties but also triggers widespread displacement, exacerbating the humanitarian crisis, asserted Sally Abi Khalil, Oxfam's Middle East Director.
Highlighting the extensive damage inflicted on Gaza's water and sanitation infrastructure, Oxfam cited assessments by the Coastal Municipalities Water Utility (CMWU), estimating losses surpassing $210 million since October 7 due to Israeli assaults. Monther Shoblaq, CEO of CMWU, lamented the near-collapse of vital water supply and sewage management systems, attributing the dire circumstances to power shortages hindering operations of essential facilities.
The utility came up with the estimate based on field surveys and data collected from its staff in 25 municipal areas.
“The entire water supply and sewage management systems are nearing total collapse because the damage is so extensive,” Monther Shoblaq, the CEO of CMWU, was quoted as saying.
“There is no power to operate the water wells, desalination plants and the remaining wastewater treatment plants and the sewage is overflowing. We are doing all we can, but the situation is desperate.”