UNRWA has warned that water has now become a &ldquomatter of life and death&rdquo for civilians across the Gaza Strip after Israel cut off their water and electricity supplies.
In a statement on Saturday UNRWA said that &ldquomore than two million people are now at risk as water runs out.&rdquo
&ldquoIt has become a matter of life and death. It is a must fuel needs to be delivered now into Gaza to make water available for two million people&rdquo Philippe Lazzarini UNRWA Commissioner-General stated.
&ldquoClean water is running out in the Gaza Strip after its water plant and public water networks stopped working. People are now forced to use dirty water from wells increasing risks of waterborne diseases. Gaza has also been under an electricity blackout since 11 October impacting the water supply&rdquo UNRWA explained.
&ldquoAt the UN base in the southern Gaza Strip – where UNRWA has moved its operations- drinking water is also running out. Thousands of people have sought refuge there after Israel issued a warning to residents demanding them to leave their homes in the northern parts of the Strip&rdquo UNRWA added.
&ldquoWe need to truck fuel into Gaza now. Fuel is the only way for people to have safe drinking water. If not people will start dying of severe dehydration among them young children the elderly and women. Water is now the last remaining lifeline. I appeal for the siege on humanitarian assistance to be lifted now&rdquo Lazzarini said.
No humanitarian supplies have been allowed into war-torn Gaza for a week now according to UNRWA.
Israel has also enforced an electricity blackout on Gaza since Wednesday which has affected the water supply.
