OIC: “Water Situation in Gaza Deteriorating”

Thursday June 23, 2011 17:20 by Saed Bannoura - IMEMC & Agencies

The Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) issued a report warning of the sharp deterioration of the water situation in the besieged Gaza Strip due to the devastated infrastructure in Gaza resulting from Israel attacks, and the establishment of wastewater treatment plants on top of fresh water reservoirs.

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The OIC said that it is essential to establish plants to desalinate seawater in order to compensate for the sharp need of fresh water in Gaza, and called for halting the drilling of new water wells as they undermine and drain the underground water reservoir.

The OIC added in its report that some international and local organizations played in May an important role in the process of reconstructing Gaza and its infrastructure although the Israeli siege in hindering significant reconstruction and development projects.

It said that the ongoing Israeli violations, the illegal siege and attacks, are leading to civilian casualties while attacks against Palestinian fishermen are still ongoing as the army is opening fire at them and confiscating their boats.

The OIC added that the increasing number of solidarity ships who made it into Gaza, and the ongoing preparations to send for aid ships, reflects the increasing international awareness, and the international support for ending the illegal siege.

It further highlighted the suffering of the Palestinians in Gaza as a result of the ongoing electricity crisis in the coastal region.

The Gaza Strip is still lacking hundreds of medications and spare parts for medical equipment.

Approximately 178 types of medications and 123 types of medical supplies have run out, and an additional 69 types of medications and 70 types of medical supplies are expected to run out within the next three months, the Palestinian Ministry of Health in Gaza reported last week.

Over 300 patients have died, since Israeli imposed the siege on Gaza in 2007, due to a lack of essential medical equipment. The patients were denied permits to leave the Gaza Strip to seek medical attention elsewhere.

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