The Middle East Minister, Alistair Burt has announced that UK Aid has allocated £2 million to UNICEF to support Gazans with access to clean water and sanitation. This UK aid package will help install over 1,000 roof water tanks to help families store clean water, provide over 3,000 communal water drums so that households can collect clean water, provide chlorine to treat water in 280 wells and 38 water treatment plants.
The UK has allocated £2 million to UNICEF from the DFID OPTs 2018/19 budget. UK aid in Gaza is already helping to repair water and wastewater pipes, provide chlorine for 70 wells and 20 desalination plants. It will also provide 1,300 water storage tanks and give 15,000 of the most vulnerable families essential hygiene items, such as soap, sanitary towels and shampoo as well as water treatment kits.
Middle East Minister, Alistair Burt said, “With only 4 per cent of the water in Gaza fit for human consumption, people are left with no choice but to drink dirty water and risk falling victim to deadly water borne diseases. Today’s UK aid package will help provide the 2 million Palestinians in Gaza with access to safe, clean water and sanitation so they can feed and wash themselves and their children without fear of falling seriously ill.
On a recent visit to Gaza, Minister Burt also announced £1.5 million for the International Committee of the Red Cross to keep hospitals open and functioning following the recent surge in violence. In November 2017 the UK provided £1.9 million to UNICEF through the 2017 Gaza Crisis Urgent Appeal from the DFID OPTs 2017/18 budget.