Gaza City, Palestine. Ibtisam Al-Helou, a 40-year-old mother of three, leaves her tent on Gaza’s seafront before dawn each day to search for fresh water for cooking, drinking and washing. Aid agencies, United Nations officials and Palestinian health authorities warn that Gaza’s water and sanitation systems are facing an unprecedented collapse.
Daily search for water
Although the Mediterranean is only steps from her tent, Al-Helou must cross Gaza City’s damaged neighbourhoods in search of water, leaving before temperatures reach 33 degrees Celsius at midday.
She said water does not reach the area where her family lives and is available there only once every three days. She travels to Al-Mina, Al-Amadi and Abu Mazen, areas in Gaza City where water may be available.
Pressure on families
Families across Gaza queue for hours beside damaged water trucks to collect a few litres before returning to overcrowded tent camps affected by disease.
The shortages have also changed children’s hygiene routines. Before the war, Al-Helou’s children, among nine children in her household, washed in fresh water three times a day during the summer. They now may wash only once a week.
