940 People. 1 Toilet

That was the situation in the camps in Rafah (at the southern tip of Gaza) among the 1.1 million people sheltering there before Israel invaded on 6th May. Since then, 1 million people have been forced out of this so-called safe area, with 900,000 of them moving to central Gaza onto an even thinner strip of land along the coast, with virtually no facilities.

In the new camps, water levels are critically low, with people having to queue for hours to collect what little there is and being forced to rely on sea water for domestic use. People are using shallow pit latrines and there is a continuing spread of communicable illnesses amid sewage overflow, piles of effluent, a proliferation of insects, rodents and snakes, and a near-total lack of hygiene items and sanitation facilities.

$25,000 = 21 toilets

We have known MA’AN Development Centre for many years. They are based in Ramallah but have a long history of work in Gaza and many local links that have proved invaluable since 7th October. Chris Rose, Amos’ Director, visited them shortly before Easter to understand more about how they were working in Gaza and how we could partner with them.

A toilet block in Rafah in southern Gaza paid for by Amos Trust supporters.
— — — — — — —

They explained the urgent need for toilets in Rafah and the appalling sanitation in many of the camps. We allocated $25,000 to provide 7 toilet blocks (21 toilets) for the camps.

1,584 familes

Usually, the delays in getting aid into Gaza are deeply frustrating, but this time we were happy for the delay. If they had been installed in Rafah before 6th May, they would have been useless and probably destroyed as part of the Israeli advance.

The toilet blocks, including sinks, were finally installed in Deir Al Balah and Khan Younis (central Gaza) at the beginning of June. 1,584 families will now be able to use the toilets and to wash. It’s a tiny shred of dignity, but it’s so important nonetheless.

Please help.