Minister of Irrigation: The Palestinian people have faced systematic restrictions on their most basic and sacred human rights, their right to access water
Dr. Hani Sweilem, Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation, pointed out that one of the most pressing humanitarian and development challenges of our time is the water crisis in Palestine, especially in the Gaza Strip, where the suffering of our Palestinian brothers has reached catastrophic levels, and where the Palestinian people have faced systematic restrictions on their most basic and sacred human rights – the right to water, where water has been used as a tool of control, and it is unfortunate that It has turned into a weapon of collective punishment, and what was in the past a challenge resulting from scarcity has today become a comprehensive humanitarian catastrophe.
Sweilem stressed during his participation in the session “Strengthening Resilience through Strategic Investments in the Water Sector in Palestine,” within the activities of the “Eighth Cairo Water Week.” After nearly two years of continuous aggression, Gaza’s water and sanitation systems are in ruins. More than 90% of water facilities were severely damaged or completely destroyed, more than 97% of Gaza’s water is no longer fit for human consumption, and sewage treatment plants have stopped working, leading to the contamination of the groundwater on which families depend, and children walking. kilometers in search of a few liters of unsafe water, while hospitals struggle to ensure the minimum level of sanitation.
As for the West Bank, the situation is no less bad, as in some communities the per capita consumption does not exceed 30 liters per day, that is, much less than the minimum recommended by the World Health Organization of 100 liters per person per day, and farmers are unable to irrigate Their lands, while development projects are being systematically obstructed, and therefore what we are witnessing is not only a technical crisis, but a humanitarian crisis and a moral test for all of us in this region.
Egypt today affirms, as it has always done, its full solidarity with the Palestinian people. Egypt’s commitment is not limited to words, but rather is based on actions, cooperation and shared responsibility, and with the expected agreement to end the war in Gaza, Egypt affirms its determination to transform this moment of hope into a moment of construction and steadfastness.
The Minister of Irrigation indicated that the government of the Arab Republic of Egypt, through the Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation, is fully prepared to mobilize Egyptian technical expertise in the fields of hydraulic engineering, groundwater management, desalination, and wastewater treatment to support assessment and rehabilitation missions in Gaza and the West Bank, in addition to involving the Egyptian private sector in efforts Rebuilding the water infrastructure, and coordinating with the Palestinian Water Authority to develop a comprehensive plan for recovery and investment in the water sector.
He added that the process of rebuilding the water sector in Palestine must be based on three basic pillars, which are the urgent humanitarian response by restoring access to safe water, sanitation, and hygiene as a priority to save lives, and strategic investment in rebuilding climate-resilient and decentralized systems. And regional cooperation by integrating Palestine into a common regional framework for water security.
In this context, and with the possibility that Egypt will host and lead the upcoming Gaza reconstruction financing conference, we will spare no effort to ensure that the water sector receives the priority and funding it deserves. Egypt will also work to coordinate efforts with Arab funds, international donors, and development banks to create a dedicated financing window for projects. Water and sanitation in Palestine, including emergency reforms and long-term investments.
At the international level, Egypt will continue to call for the establishment of a coalition of Arab, regional and international partners to rebuild the Palestinian water sector and support the recovery plan led by the Palestinian Water Authority.
Sweilem stressed that Egypt pledges to walk this path hand in hand with Palestine, and with all partners committed to achieving Justice and peace in our region.
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