Nov, 2021
Anera is conducting ambitious water, sanitation and hygiene projects across Gaza.
With generous funding from Islamic Relief USA (IRUSA), Anera is building infrastructure work that ensures safe and sustainable access to water and sanitation services, and reduces the risk of flooding, pollution and pathogen contamination in poor communities in Gaza.
Through improving community-level infrastructure and promoting hygiene practices, we are reducing chronic damage to water systems and ending periodic sewage and stormwater flooding; improving household access to water and sewer services in poor communities; and conveying public health messages to promote healthy hygiene habits that reduce the risk of infection and waterborne diseases.
Community Infrastructure in Gaza
Anera’s latest IRUSA-funded infrastructure improvements are designed to prevent flooding and improve stormwater gullies, wastewater networks, water pumps, and water desalination facilities.
Right now, Anera’s teams of engineers and contracted workers are in the middle of rehabilitating the water well in Mughraqa, in the middle area of Gaza. The upgrade includes the installation of a new, community drinking fountain at the well.
Upon completion, the updated water well will improve daily access to clean household water for more than 11,000 people.
Using a plumb bob in Mughraqa, Gaza on the construction site of the water well.
A worker in Mughraqa, Gaza on the construction site of the water well
A cement truck pulls up in Mughraqa, Gaza on the construction site of the water well.
Workers in Mughraqa, Gaza on the construction site of the water well.
Welding a component at the water well in Mughraqa, Gaza.
Project sign at the construction site of the water well in Mughraqa, Gaza.
At the same time, in Al Remaida neighborhood of Bani Suhaila, in Khan Younis, Anera is installing new pipes to upgrade the local water network. The new pipes will withstand deterioration and therefore water loss. The network serves more than 10,000 residents.
Laying pipe in Al Remaida neighborhood of Bani Suhaila, in Khan Younis.
Laying pipe in Al Remaida neighborhood of Bani Suhaila, in Khan Younis.
Laying pipe in Al Remaida neighborhood of Bani Suhaila, in Khan Younis.
Project sign for the new water pipes in Al Remaida neighborhood of Bani Suhaila, in Khan Younis.
We are also installing stormwater pipelines and gullies in Bani Suhaila to protect the community from the risk of winter floods. School students, who have to navigate flooded streets on foot to get to school, will particularly benefit.
The diverted rainwater will be transferred to Al Amal basin, helping to replenish Gaza’s aquifer.
Installing stormwater pipelines and gullies in Bani Suhaila to prevent winter floods.
Installing stormwater pipelines and gullies in Bani Suhaila to prevent winter floods.
Anera is also installing stormwater pipelines and gullies in Abu Baker Street, located in western Rafah. The rainwater will be transferred to Al Atar storm water basin, again helping to replenish the aquifer.
Al Atar stormwater basin, which feeds into Gaza's only aquifer.
A worker helping to clear the debris from stormwater pipes on Abu Baker Street, in western Rafah.
Clearing debris from the stormwater pipelines on Abu Baker Street, in western Rafah.
New storm grates will help prevent flooding on Abu Baker Street, in western Rafah.
Project sign for the new stormwater pipelines and gullies in Abu Baker Street, in western Rafah.
Anera has just finished another component of the program, upgrading the Asqula Stormwater Basin, which has improved water access and reduced seasonal flood risks for 100,000 families. The 36-year-old basin serves six communities in Gaza City.
Upgrading the Asqula Stormwater Basin in Gaza City.
Upgrading the Asqula Stormwater Basin in Gaza City.
Anera upgrading the Asqula Stormwater Basin in Gaza City in 2021. By adding new boreholes and a layer of sand the basin is now capturing 64,986 gallons of rainwater a day during the rainy season that feed into the aquifer instead of flowing into the ocean.
Upgrading the Asqula Stormwater Basin in Gaza City.
Construction equipment in the Asqula Stormwater Basin in Gaza City.
Construction equipment in the Asqula Stormwater Basin in Gaza City.
Upgrading the Asqula Stormwater Basin in Gaza City.
Upgrading the Asqula Stormwater Basin in Gaza City.
Project sign for the upgrading of the Asqula Stormwater Basin in Gaza City.
Community Hygiene
Waterborne diseases are a leading cause of childhood mortality in Gaza. Avoiding illness when available water sources are potentially contaminated is by no means straightforward. To help address these dangers, Anera’s IRUSA-funded water, sanitation and hygiene program includes public education in addition to infrastructure improvements.
For the last 11 months, Anera has been promoting public health by hosting 145 awareness sessions as well as distributing 1,069 hygiene kits, 1,500 brochures and 3,000 stickers with public health messages. The informational brochures contain guidance on waterborne disease prevention, avoiding water pollution, personal and household hygiene practices, and effective ways to protect against COVID-19.
Awareness sessions conveying public health messages on waterborne disease prevention, avoiding water pollution, personal and household hygiene practices, and effective ways to protect against COVID-19.
Awareness sessions conveying public health messages on waterborne disease prevention, avoiding water pollution, personal and household hygiene practices, and effective ways to protect against COVID-19.
Awareness sessions conveying public health messages on waterborne disease prevention, avoiding water pollution, personal and household hygiene practices, and effective ways to protect against COVID-19.
Awareness sessions conveying public health messages on waterborne disease prevention, avoiding water pollution, personal and household hygiene practices, and effective ways to protect against COVID-19.
Households
In the months ahead, Anera also plans to install solar-powered hot water tanks and renovate toilets and kitchens in 89 homes belonging to vulnerable families in North Gaza and Khan Younis.
Anera’s Community-Level Infrastructure and Promoting Hygiene Practices and Households Intervention (WASH IV) program is funded by Islamic Relief USA. The views expressed herein are those of Anera and shall not, in any way whatsoever, be construed to reflect the official opinion of IRUSA, its Islamic Relief affiliates, or its donors.
