January 2009

U.S. Water News Online

RAMALLAH, West Bank — The World Bank says there are growing signs of a severe public health crisis in Gaza because of a shortage of drinking water and an escalating failure of the sewage system.

The bank issued the statement recently, based on data from the local water authority in Gaza.

The bank called on the Israeli government to allow enough fuel into Gaza to operate some 170 water and sewage pumps in Gaza. The bank also asked that Israel restore regular electricity supply as soon as possible to reduce dependence on fuel for generators.

Finally, the bank warned of the possibility that a sewage lake in northern Gaza might overflow, as it had done in the past. The bank called on Israel to allow maintenance crews to shore up the lake.

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