The Coastal Municipalities Water Utility in the Gaza Strip, today, Wednesday, launched an urgent appeal for governmental, local and international institutions and donors to support their needs in light of the stoppage of income sources at a large segment of citizens in the sector, which made the rates of financial collection for the authority almost No, after declaring a state of emergency under the Corona pandemic.
In its statement, the Authority stated that it needs to cover part of the costs of maintenance and operation, to ensure the continuity of water and sanitation services in Gaza.
She pointed out that the deteriorating economic situation, mainly in Gaza, due to the blockade, has caused low collection rates, noting that recently, the collection rate does not exceed 30%.
She indicated that under these circumstances, she was unable to cover the costs of maintenance and operation and secure the minimum wages for the operating staff, despite the fact that the current period requires increased water production and continued provision of services to ensure that citizens adhere to the guidelines and messages recently launched by the World Health Organization and the Palestinian Water Authority to reduce the spread of the epidemic And protect workers in the water sector. According to her statement.
She pointed out that if the crisis continues without interference from the concerned authorities, the water services are threatened with collapse as a result of the inability to cover operating and maintenance costs, which include the supply of spare parts, fuel for operating machinery and generators, and materials and equipment for sterilizing water and sanitation facilities, in addition to securing the salaries of crews Operating at the minimum level to meet the needs of their families in light of this crisis.
She noted that she needs to provide 200,000 liters per month of fuel to operate the spare mechanisms and generators during the interruption of the electricity, in order to continue providing water and sanitation services.
The Coastal Municipalities Authority has indicated that it needs to supply spare parts for the maintenance of water and sanitation facilities worth $ 500,000, and to supply sterilization and cleaning materials for all facilities and workers in the water and sanitation sector at a value of $ 100,000, in addition to that it needs to secure the minimum wage in accordance with the law Palestinian work for 230 employees and workers in the Water Authority per month for each employee.
