CARE warns hundreds of Gaza water points are at risk

Around 360 water distribution points in Gaza could be lost in the coming months because of shortages of money and materials, aid organisation CARE has warned, according to Dutch news agency ANP.

The UN’s humanitarian coordination office, OCHA, reported in late October that 11 aid partners might have to stop delivering drinking water by truck. It said that would affect about 360 of Gaza’s 3,500 water distribution points, or roughly one in ten. The warning concerned a possible disruption to deliveries, not confirmed closures.

Jojanneke Spoor, CARE’s head of humanitarian aid, said losing hundreds of water points would make it harder for families to find safe water. She warned that diarrhoea can be life-threatening, particularly for young children.

OCHA’s October reports also described problems elsewhere in the water system. Shortages of spare parts and supplies had reduced desalination output. Repairs to the Mekorot pipeline serving Gaza City, however, restored supply through that line to September levels after an interruption in early October.