Emergency Water Supply Assessment In The Gaza Strip

Abstract

Water is considered the primary vital component to survive, where access to safe water is one of the first priorities during and following any crises or disasters. In Gaza, where the current blockade and the recent conflicts tragically illustrates the price our people are paying , we aim in this study to deal with the most urgent needs while promoting resilience in the face of continuing emergencies. This essential need by the gazans, necessitate the adoption of practical approaches that enhance water supply management in emergencies. The main aim of this study was to assess the water supply process in emergencies and disasters, as a guide to improve managing and dealing with water supply crises, shortage and deficiencies during emergencies in the Gaza Strip with case study in the middle area governorate. To fulfill the objectives of the thesis, research was carried out in three stages: (1) literature review, (2) questionnaire survey to both water utilities (Municipalities) and household residents, and (3) in-depth personal interviews and consultations with professionals in the water supply field in addition to beneficiaries. Based on that, quantitative data analysis methods, including relative importance index (RII), reliability and validity tests, and other statistical correlation analyses were applied by SPSS 22. It was found that; in emergencies management phases, an average performance of municipalities was noticed as whole (64.23% for Preparedness, 66.20% for response and 71.11% for mitigation phases), and the decision makers experience and scientific knowledge in emergency management were low since most of their decisions are based on practical experience only. The main obstacles faced municipalities were electrical power cut-off with RII=91.71%, Insufficient equipment with RII=81.46%, lack of beneficiaries awareness and insufficient spare parts with RII= 79.51%. Therefore, the municipalities prioritized the suggestions to mitigate problems in future emergencies as following; Capacity building for emergency crews with RII=88.29%, establishing a specialized unit and Data Base with RII=87.80%. It was found that the household residents’ attitudes and behaviors toward water supply process in addition to their perspectives towards service providers significantly affected water supply in emergencies as institutional trust with the beneficiaries should be built to improve water conservation and effective customer’s communication.