Minister al-Mimi: Water Authority focuses on priority projects to enhance water security and rehabilitate infrastructure.

• More than 85% of vital water facilities have been damaged due to the aggression.
• The production of groundwater wells does not exceed 25% of their previous capacity before the aggression.
• All five wastewater treatment plants are completely out of service.
• Twenty pumping stations were fully destroyed, while the other 27 out of 79 stations were partially destroyed.

Ramallah: The Government Operations Room for emergency interventions in the southern governorates, reviewed today on Wednesday, the relief plan and early recovery for water sector in Gaza Strip. These are primary sectoral plans taking into consideration the developments, and are updated continuously in coordination with Arab and international partners, and UN agencies. The meeting was attended by Minister of Water Authority, Dr. Ziyad al-Mimi, representatives from UN agencies, and a number of international organizations and donor parties including UNICEF, World Bank, EU, the Dutch Representative Office, and Office of the Quartet.

Head of the Operation room, Dr. Samah Anwar emphasized the effective coordination with ministries, international and national partners to enhance partnership and institutional integration with all stakeholders, ensuring a comprehensive response that supports the organized transition from relief to recovery, according to the national plan towards a resilient and viable Gaza Strip ready for comprehensive reconstruction. She affirmed the importance of the meeting noting that waste remains the most vital issue for citizens who face a daily struggle to secure it.

In another context, Minister al-Mimi indicated that the Israeli aggression has inflicted vast damage to the infrastructure leading to a sharp decline in the quantities of available water supply. He added that Water Authority exerts tremendous efforts to guarantee uninterrupted water flow essential for keeping the residents alive, through operating wells and desalination plants, and securing fuel and operational supplies in coordination with international and local partners.

He made it clear that the Water Authority works in the context of an urgent plan in cooperation with CMWU and international organizations focusing on priority projects to enhance water security, rehabilitate infrastructure, expand the use of renewable energy, and develop sanitation networks, in addition to the launch of the Water Company to enhance sustainability and efficiency.

According to the data from the Water Authority, more than 85% of vital water facilities had been damaged due to the aggression. The production of groundwater wells does not exceed 25% of its previous capacity, as a result of the vast damage they sustained and the difficulty of access and limited accessability. All five wastewater treatment plants are completely out of service, while 20 pumping stations were fully destroyed. Of the remaining 79 stations, 27 stations were partially destroyed.

During the meeting, Eng. Hadeel Faiydi from the Water Authority gave a detailed presentation in the Operation Room on the current state of water and wastewater and the recovery plan. She assured that the operation of desalination plants and the provision of fuel to wells, and carrying out emergency maintenance works in cooperation with international and local partners to ensure the continuity of life- saving essential services.

During the meeting, international and local partners and experts provided feedback and raised inquiries to guarantee the implementation of emergency response and early recovery according to a comprehensive and participatory approach.

On his part, Adviser for the British Prime Minister expressed his country’s appreciation for the Palestinian efforts in developing the water sector despite the difficult economic and social conditions. He affirmed Britain’s supportive stance to enhance cooperation and partnership in the domains of water, clean energy and institutional reform.

He concluded the meeting in a joint affirmation that water is not only a developmental issue, but rather sovereignty and humanitarian justice matter. He stressed the need for sustained international support for the efforts of the Water Authority in achieving water sustainability, and safeguarding the right of Palestinians in accessing their natural resources.

Majd al-Zghayer and Hadil Husni from the Reform Unit at the Council of Ministers participated in the meeting, alongside Water Authority staff, including Dr. Mo’ath Abu Sa’da, Advisor to the Minister, Eng. Rawan Sa’eed institutional expert and reform  official, Eng. Njoud ‘Abdo, Director of international cooperation unit, and Ms. Asma Salameh, Advisor for communication.