New York. The severe shortage of clean water in the Gaza Strip has raised significant concerns for human health and well-being.
Philippe Lazzarini, the chief of the U.N. agency for Palestinians, expressed the dire situation by stating, “Gaza is running out of water, and Gaza is running out of life.”
Historically, Gaza has sourced its water from various avenues, including a pipeline from Israel, desalination plants along the Mediterranean Sea, and local wells. However, these water supplies were drastically reduced when Israel severed access to water, as well as fuel and electricity essential for running water and sewage treatment facilities, in response to Hamas attacks.
According to a report from the U.S. National Academies of Science and Medicine, men require approximately 3.7 liters (125 ounces) of water daily, while women need around 2.7 liters (91 ounces) to maintain proper hydration. The majority of this hydration comes from drinking water or beverages, with approximately 20% sourced from food, including fruits.
The consequences of a lack of water are dire. Many individuals, particularly vulnerable groups such as children, the elderly, and those with underlying health conditions, cannot survive more than a few days without access to water. Dehydration can result in symptoms like dizziness, fatigue, and confusion, and in severe cases, it can lead to organ failure and death.
Inadequate access to clean water also poses a severe sanitation risk, potentially leading to the spread of infectious diseases like cholera and dysentery. Diarrheal diseases, which are often transmitted through contaminated water, are the leading cause of death for children under the age of 5 worldwide.
The lack of water supply also endangers healthcare settings, where clean water is essential for caring for patients who are sick and injured. As hospitals across the Gaza Strip grapple with the challenge of caring for thousands of patients, the World Health Organization (WHO) has sounded the alarm, emphasizing that the scarcity of water is jeopardizing lives.
The WHO issued a statement noting, “Water is needed to ensure sanitary conditions in inpatient wards, operating rooms, and emergency departments. It is essential for preventing hospital-acquired infections and outbreaks within healthcare facilities.”
Si Venus L Peñaflor ay naging editor-in-chief ng Newsworld, isang lokal na pahayagan ng Laguna. Publisher din siya ng Daystar Gazette at Tutubi News Magazine. Siya ay isa ring pintor at doll face designer ng Ninay Dolls, ang unang Manikang Pilipino. Kasali siya sa DesignCrowd sa rank na #305 sa 640,000 graphic designers sa buong daigdig. Kasama din siya sa unang Local TV Broadcast sa Laguna na Beyond Manila. Aktibong kasapi siya ng San Pablo Jaycees Senate bilang isang JCI Senator.
