Clean water in Gaza

Last week, World Water Week, the world's largest conference on water issues, was held in Stockholm. This year's theme was "Water for a peaceful and sustainable future". Oxfam was there to talk about climate justice, the role of water in conflict and how we work with affected people to secure their access to water.   

Today we want to tell you about Duaa in Gaza, who was forced to flee her home in October 2023. As for many other Palestinians, the lack of clean water is acute. The daily water requirement is 15 liters per person, but in Gaza people have only 4.7 liters per person. Meanwhile, Israel continues to block humanitarian aid. The consequences are deadly.   

Thanks to our donors, Oxfam has reached over 490,000 people in Gaza, with around half of them receiving clean water and sanitation. Where Duaa lives, Oxfam has installed water tanks and sinks with soap, which are essential for hygiene and survival.

Duaa works as a lawyer in Gaza, she now takes care of the house she had to flee to. Photo: Alef Multimedia Company/ Oxfam

Oxfam are experts in water and sanitation and we are on the ground in many crises around the world, not least where climate change is affecting innocent people. People who are already living in poverty and vulnerability are the hardest hit by climate change - while doing little or nothing to cause it. One such example is Ethiopia, where extreme drought has left over 3 million people thirsty and hungry. In the village of Gol'Anod, where families used to have to walk for hours every day just to have enough water, Oxfam has therefore installed water pipes directly outside homes.  

"We are so grateful that water came here. I am no longer worried about my daughter when she goes to fetch water."

Amina, who lives in the village of Gol'Anod

Click here to read more about our work on water and sanitation - and more about how climate change is unfairly affecting people in poverty can be found by clicking here. 

It is thanks to the support of people like you that we can be on the ground where people need clean water, in conflict and war, and where climate change has struck. Thank you for joining the fight for an equitable future.