The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) stated today, Wednesday, that newly displaced children in southern Gaza Strip are receiving far less water than necessary for survival. The organization anticipates a rise in child mortality in the area in the upcoming days due to deprivation and illness.
In a statement published on its website, UNICEF confirmed: “The newly displaced children in southern Gaza Strip are getting only 1.5 to 2 liters of water per day, which is significantly less than the recommended requirements for survival.” The statement explained: “According to humanitarian relief standards, the minimum amount of water needed in emergencies is 15 liters, including for drinking, washing, and cooking. The bare minimum for survival is estimated at 3 liters per day.”
UNICEF pointed out that half of the internally displaced people in the city of Rafah in southern Gaza are children, stating: “Access to adequate quantities of clean water in Gaza is a matter of life or death.”
Hundreds of thousands of displaced people, nearly half of them children, have arrived in Rafah since the beginning of the month, desperately needing food, water, medicine, and shelter. The situation is particularly tragic for children, as they are more vulnerable to dehydration, diarrhea, diseases, and malnutrition.
UNICEF warned that the water and sanitation services in Gaza are “on the verge of collapse,” with a widespread outbreak of diseases “looming.” The statement added: “At least 50 percent of water and sanitation facilities have been damaged or destroyed.” It also noted: “The significant reduction in hygiene options particularly affects women and girls, which could lead to an increase in disease spread.”
The recent situation in Gaza has been dire, with several factors exacerbating the humanitarian crisis. Heavy rains in mid-December led to flooding in areas like Khan Younis, worsening the struggles of displaced Palestinians. The UN humanitarian affairs coordination office OCHA reported that many areas in the enclave were flooded, aggravating the already critical conditions.
The humanitarian crisis deepened with ongoing intense fighting between Israeli forces and Palestinian armed groups in various parts of the Gaza Strip. Martin Griffiths, the UN Emergency Relief Coordinator, highlighted the worsening situation, emphasizing the desperate need for food, water, shelter, health, and protection for the thousands who fled to Rafah in the south. The violence, which began on October 7th, has led to widespread open-air defecation and increased fears of disease spread. Gazan health authorities reported approximately 18,000 deaths in Gaza since the fighting began.
