WASHINGTON, Tuesday, October 17, 2023 (WAFA) – The American Near East Refugee Aid (Anera) yesterday called for the immediate opening of a secure humanitarian aid corridor, the safe passage and protection of humanitarian aid workers, and an immediate ceasefire in Israel’s 11-day war on Gaza.
“Without these conditions, an already desperate situation in Gaza will become unimaginable,” Anera’s Palestine Country Director Sandra Rasheed said in a statement.
“The situation is dire. Without reliable access to clean and potable water, large numbers of Gazans will experience severe dehydration within days, or even hours. Already, there are reports of Gazans drinking salinated and sewage-contaminated water out of desperation. This will only result in widespread waterborne illness,” she added.
Rasheed stressed the importance that water, food and medical supplies reach the people of Gaza immediately. “Every hour that passes causes irreparable harm,” she said.
“Israel restored a fraction of water access to parts of Gaza. However, without electricity or fuel, Gaza’s purification and desalination plants cannot operate. And, with the mass destruction of the water and sanitation infrastructure caused by the indiscriminate bombardment, even this unclean water cannot reach most people in Gaza,” said the Country Director, calling on the global community “to raise their voices. Together, we can make a difference to save lives and alleviate the unimaginable suffering in Gaza. Humanity calls for action, and we must answer that call.”
M.K.
