Water: UFM and PWA working to raise funds for Gaza facility

The Union for the Mediterranean (UfM) and the Palestinian Water Authority (PWA) are working together to raise the 310 million euros of investment needed to build a desalination facility and distribution system in Gaza.

Arab countries, coordinated by the Islamic Development Bank, have committed to provide half of the necessary funds to match the European financial commitment. A further 10 million euros was pledged by France during the 6th World Water Forum in Marseille ''The deteriorating situation of the aquifer - said UFM - has a clear health impact, noting especially Blue Baby Syndrome due to nitrate poisoning. The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) recommends that all young children should be provided only bottled water''.

The Palestinian Water Authority and the UfM organised a side event during the World Water Week in Stockholm this week to present the UfM labelled project for the Gaza Strip, with the aim to produce 100 million cubic meters of drinking water a year, to address the major water deficit there for a population of 1.6 million inhabitants.