UNRWA chief warns of cholera outbreak risk in Gaza

Palestinians swim in the sea in Deir el-Balah in the central Gaza Strip on April 17, 2024. (File/AFP)
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  • Israel鈥檚 bombardment has destroyed sewage systems in Gaza, leading to overflow

DOHA: Palestinians in Gaza risk facing a cholera outbreak as a result of damage to water infrastructure, the UNRWA chief has said.

Philippe Lazzarini made the warning on Sunday during a visit to Berlin aimed at securing new financial support for the agency, Qatar News Agency reported.

He highlighted the severe health risks posed by the scarcity of potable water and the shutdown of all water desalination facilities as a result of Israel鈥檚 invasion.

Earlier in January, Palestine鈥檚 Environmental Quality Authority said that Israel鈥檚 bombardment has destroyed sewage systems in Gaza, leading to overflow. The Sheikh Radwan pond in Gaza City has been severely impacted by rainwater accumulation and sewage leakage, and risks overflowing.

Lazzarini described the situation for Gaza鈥檚 residents as 鈥渁lmost hopeless,鈥� stressing the need to tackle the growing famine and worsening conditions in southern Gaza.

鈥淲e have around 600,000 school-age children in Gaza, and a top priority is getting them back to learning,鈥� he added, highlighting the importance of educational continuity as a critical issue for the region鈥檚 future.