Informations et ressources scientifiques
sur le développement des zones arides et semi-arides

Titre : Improving Access to Safe Drinkable Water for School Students

Localisation : Gaza Strip

Code : 020_001578

Date de clôture : 2015-09-22

Descriptif
All Gaza governorates have been equally affected by damages and/or interruptions to supply of water services, sanitation and water storage. Those communities with chronic WASH deficiencies are particularly vulnerable to further disruptions in service provision. All governorates have higher counts but specific communities and even governorates require an equally vital response. Gazas water system has been deteriorating for years. Safe drinking water is becoming increasingly scarce in the Strip. Water is becoming contaminated and sewage is overflowing, bringing a serious risk of disease. A further disruption to WASH services will expose the people in Gaza Strip to health and environmental disasters .Children and women will be the most at risk. The existing water, when available, is not drinkable water because of the high amounts of chlorides and the continuous chlorination of the water. Several health problems occur as a result of drinking this type of water such as kidney failure and dental problems. Most of the water resources (wells) in Gaza Strip are old wells with deteriorated networks. This has negative impacts on water in terms of quality and quantity. Schools in Gaza Strip are connected to the municipal networks which make them suffer from bad quality drinking water. Children are most vulnerable to water borne diseases especially diarrhoea and other related diseases caused by the lack of safe and adequate water for basic health and hygiene needs. Many schools in Gaza suffer from water shortages. Most of the schools are not connected to a water network, so they have to rely on tankers and cisterns for their water supply, making storage capacity a critical issue for most of the schools. The deficient infrastructure negatively influences the educational environment of the students and teachers and it also contributes to water related health risks. In addition, poor hygiene conditions at most of these schools are associated with a lack of safe water or inadequacy of water and sanitation facilities to meet basic needs. The project will target those schools with a bad water supply by installing small water desalination plants (Reverse Osmosis type) and providing them with clean and safe water. Also awareness sessions will be conducted inside the schools taking into consideration the gender issues in selection of schools (boys and girls). From previous experience, the schools environment will be improved as a result of the availability of a sufficient water supply and WASH facilities in the targeted schools. By providing sustainable clean drinking water source in addition to different WASH awareness for students.

Bénéficiaires : 16010

Financement : Middle East Department (IRW)
Value (GBP) : 7,801

Islamic Relief Worldwide