Palestine Clean Water Project
Palestine has been afflicted by war and conflict for far too long and as a result of this the Palestinians have suffered daily. Men women and children are being neglected from the basics of life including safe, clean and uncontaminated water.
Water is the essence of life and is essential for drinking, cooking, washing, bathing, growing of crops and raising livestock. Without water life becomes difficult and in many cases within Gaza and the West Bank the situation can lead to loss of lives.
The military onslaught over the years has left an atrocious stain of impure and highly contaminated water, which is slowly poisoning the people of Palestine. Also, the price of water supplied by private tankers is rising daily within the West Bank and Gaza, by as much as 200% in some regions.
Raise for Life is working with Interpal to help raise money for a permanent water filtration system that the Palestinians can utilise without fear of disease or contamination.
Background
The Palestinian people are in dire need of clean water on a daily basis, as a result from ongoing wars and conflicts within the region. Not only do they need water to drink and utilise in cooking, but it is also crucial for bathing, hydrating livestock, feeding crops, tackling hygiene and aiding in the control and removal of disease and illnesses.
The Aim
The water project by Interpal aims to provide the clean water that is required through various means. This process aims to deliver water to families, schools and hospitals in the Gaza Strip, through small to large water tanks that will help families and small groups in a designated area.
However, by providing a larger source of clean and sustainable water, many more Palestinians can benefit in the long-term. This is where Raise for Life, working with Interpal, aims to raise £80,000 to help build a large water filtration plant system that will provide 143m3 of clean water daily. It is estimated that the project will take approximately 3 months to deliver and implement.
According to the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP – http://www.undp.ps/en/focusareas/poverty/povred.html), over 70% of Palestinians live below the poverty line; less that £1.50 per day! With this in mind, Palestinians would require help and assistance from everyone to give them a chance to get by from day-today.
Where?
By assessing the situation and taking into consideration the needs of Palestinians in Gaza, a decision has been made to develop, build and implement the water filtration system in Bani Suhaila (Bani Suhela) within the Khan Yunes region of Gaza.
Why Bani Suhaila?
Based on a report and survey conducted by the Palestinian Hydrology Group, it was found that the locality of Bani Suhaila urgently needs a large water filtration plant. Due to the ongoing conflict, individual water tanks have been damaged considerably and a need has been identified to build a more sustainable solution.
How Many People will be Helped?
Bani Suhaila is home to families, spiritual centres, hospitals and rural businesses that depend on this very basic yet essential resource to life – water. In the survey carried on by the Palestinian Hydrology Group is was calculated that approximately 8,000 individuals or 1,500 families will benefit from this large water project.
KEY FACTS:
State – Palestine
Province – Gaza
Region – Khan Yunes
Area – Bani Suhaila (Bani Suhela)
Population – 33,367 (2007 census)
Project – Water Filtration System
Cost – £80,000
Timescale – 3 months
Aid Projection – 8,000 individuals or 1,500 families
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