During the past year, the WaSH situation has deteriorated further in the OPT. This is primarily a result of the political climate and the subsequent economic embargo. Donor funding for WaSH related projects has declined and in some cases previous commitments have been put on hold indefinitely until there is a political solution to end the stand off. The current political situation has created an escalating humanitarian crisis in the WaSH sector whereby the urgency for it to be resolved is growing daily.

By the end of 2006, 34% of the population was considered as food insecure, 2.1 million Palestinians (56.8% of Palestinian households) lived below the poverty line, and 10% of children under five suffered from chronic malnutrition (OCHA, 2007). The situation was even bleaker in Gaza where 79.3% of the population lived below the poverty line (OCHA, 2007). Additionally, the occupation grew more invasive with the number of checkpoints and roadblocks in the West Bank increasing by 40% (OCHA, 2007). Overall, there have been an alarming number of emergency needs that have developed and that must be addressed in numerous communities throughout the West Bank and Gaza Strip if a humanitarian crisis is to be averted. Regardless of the urgency there continues to be a considerable difference between the actual needs of Palestinian communities and the relief efforts being carried out by international and local organizations and institutions.

This report focuses on presenting the analysis of data collected during the 2006 monitoring period in order to verify the status of WaSH situation in the OPT. In turn the report builds on this analysis to help examine whether progress is being made towards achieving the UN millennium Development Goals (MDGs) related to water, sanitation and hygiene. Furthermore, the analysis is used to help identify the main constraints facing the realization of these goals, and in addressing water issues and the crisis afflicting on Palestinian communities throughout the OPT. It also explores the relevance of international movements for the implementation of "water as a fundamental human right" and highlights the current lack thereof in the OPT. The information presented in this report is meant to increase the potential for donor funding to meet the needs of the most vulnerable and marginalized communities, as well as aid efforts for advocacy and actions that not only demand an end to the occupation, but strive for the implementation of water as a fundamental human right.

To download the full report please click below: