Safe Water for Families in Gaza

At LifeStraw, we recognize access to safe water as a human right.

Innocent civilians are caught in the middle of this volatile and escalating conflict in both Gaza and Israel.

In Gaza, fears are growing that people are at risk of death due to severe dehydration, and risks for waterborne disease like cholera are escalating. Nearly all safe water supplies have been cut off by Israel, along with fuel and electricity that power water and sewage plants, in the wake of the Hamas attacks.

“Gaza is running out of water, and Gaza is running out of life,” said Chief of the UN agency for Palestinians.

In Israel, many displaced families are sheltering in makeshift shelters and tent cities, according to local nonprofit. “They are not in functioning spaces with access to much." So far, according to our local partner, water access remains reliable for internally displaced people in Israel, but LifeStraw is ready to support should the need arise.

Right now, there is an almost complete humanitarian blockade into Gaza, which makes it extremely difficult for LifeStraw and our partners to respond. Additionally, the majority of available water in Gaza is brackish and salt water; unfortunately, LifeStraw’s products do not have desalination capacity. We are actively communicating with partners, to identify and support with alternative solutions for safe water, once aid is able to enter.

ALL of the money donated to this fundraiser will support safe water access to families in Gaza and Israel. We will update this fundraiser periodically to inform our donors of the progress made. THANK YOU.

About half of Gaza's population of 2.3 million are children. The current offensive is Israel's fifth major one in 15 years. Thousands of children have been killed, countless more have lost their entire families. Hamas has taken nearly 200 Israeli hostages in Gaza, including babies, and young and disabled children. The most vulnerable of humanity is caught in the middle of this crisis.