MSF Gaza: Flooding adds to the daily dangers ​ people face across the Strip

11 November, Gaza - "At first, I thought I was safe from the rainwater", says Saeed Abu el-Nour, a driver for Médecins Sans Frontières / Doctors Without Borders (MSF) in Gaza City. "But I was shocked by the heavy rainfall and the lack of infrastructure, which caused severe flooding. Our tents, clothes, bedding and some of our food supplies were soaked."

Heavy rains and flooding have left thousands of displaced families in Gaza struggling to find safe shelter. MSF calls on Israeli authorities to urgently allow the unhindered entry of life-saving winter supplies, including tents, blankets, shelter materials and fuel.

"Afterwards, I had to leave the area for two days to allow the ground beneath us to dry, so I could return and repair whatever I could. We need a real solution. Allowing construction materials to enter Gaza, providing safe places to live", says Saeed.

Severe flooding is adding to the many dangers people living in Gaza are already facing every day.

Dangers Niveen Wishah knows all too well, having been shot while inside her tent.

"You expect to die at any moment”, says Niveen who was treated by MSF teams. "This is not the first time a bullet has hit my tent. I was sitting on my mattress, in my tent, laughing with my niece, the shot came as I was lying down. The bullet is still lodged in my hip bone. That makes it difficult to treat."

Between June and September this year, MSF teams recorded an average of 84 cases of violent trauma per day across six different MSF health facilities in Gaza.

“Recently, or during the last period, there has been an increase in the number of cases that are coming from areas that are close to the yellow line, says Dr Murad Asaliyya, MSF Medical Activities Manager. “Different types of injuries, including those caused by explosions or gunshots.”

On top of these constant threats, access to basic materials is becoming increasingly difficult. Destroyed water infrastructure and restrictions on essential supplies continue to limit people's access to water and it remains a critical daily challenge for people in Gaza.

“When water deliveries don't reach our camp, it becomes a disaster for us”, says Younes Mousa currently displaced in Gaza. “We cannot use our cooking utensils, wash dishes, bathe or drink. Even using the toilet becomes very difficult for us.”

The continued restrictions by Israeli authorities on the entry of spare parts, engine oil and other essential materials are obstructing efforts to maintain and repair critical water infrastructure.

“After three years of war, the challenges affecting the water sector are enormous”, says Ahmad Iqtefan, MSF Water and Sanitation Manager. “Nothing is being allowed in. Spare parts for the stations and for the equipment we use every day are unavailable. Many generators have stopped working due to breakdowns and overloading. But the biggest problem, even when generators are available, is the lack of engine oil.”

Emergency water trucking remains a lifeline, but it cannot replace functioning water and sanitation systems.

Israeli authorities must lift restrictions on essential materials needed to restore water services as well as the unhindered entry of winter supplies. Israeli attacks must stop and civilians must be protected. Governments must act now to stop the killing in Gaza.

--ENDS--