UAE Desalination Plants: Lifeline for Gaza's Water Crisis
As the conflict in Gaza persists, marked by an ominous outlook for 2024, the region faces heightened challenges. Despite the commencement of the new year, Israeli military operations continue with airstrikes and tank assaults, resulting in a grim death toll surpassing 22,000 as of Tuesday.
Survivors of the ongoing conflict in Gaza contend with severe shortages of fuel and unhygienic living conditions. The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) reports that over 70 percent of Gaza's water is contaminated, rendering it undrinkable. In this distressing scenario, desalination plants operated by the UAE emerge as a beacon of hope, providing a crucial lifeline to hundreds of thousands of Palestinians.
Khaleej Times recently visited these desalination plants located in the Egyptian city of Rafah, witnessing a capacity expansion to an impressive 1,200,000 gallons per day. This expansion, a part of the Emirati 'Gallant Knight 3' mission, aims to benefit over 600,000 Palestinians residing in Gaza by supplying much-needed clean and drinkable water.
Situated near the Mediterranean Sea, just minutes away from the Rafah border and approximately 10 minutes from Gaza, these desalination plants play a pivotal role. The process involves drawing water from the sea, subjecting it to a rigorous filtration process, and then transporting it through 900-meter underground pipes. Upon reaching Gaza, the distributed water is managed by the Palestinian Water Authority.
Yousef, a plant worker, shared insights with Khaleej Times, stating, “I have been working here for the past two weeks, and we have seen significant progress and outcome. We didn’t face any challenges until now, and we expect things to stay that way. Our work here will hopefully benefit more than half a million people across the border.”
Residents in Gaza, parched from weeks of siege, have welcomed this lifeline with open arms. The clean water, described as tasting "like sugar," provides a stark contrast to the unclean, brackish water they had been forced to consume. The impact of these desalination plants is unmistakable, offering a respite to a population grappling with the consequences of conflict.
In a recent report, Zaki Abu Sleyma, a Gaza resident, expressed gratitude, stating, "We were really suffering... we used to bring water from the sea before. This water tastes like sugar, it is drinkable."
UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell previously voiced concerns about the lack of access to safe drinking water in Gaza, emphasizing the critical importance of clean water for survival. She stated, “Access to sufficient amounts of clean water is a matter of life and death…children in Gaza have barely a drop to drink. Without safe water, many more children will die from deprivation and disease in the coming days.”
The Emirati humanitarian mission, through these desalination plants, seeks to address these pressing concerns and alleviate critical shortages on the strip. As the plants continue their operation, they stand as a testament to the UAE's commitment to providing essential aid and support to those in need, offering a glimmer of hope amid the ongoing challenges faced by the people of Gaza.
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By- Sahiba Suri
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