Both the Municipality and the UNRWA are responsible for providing water services to this refugee camp.
However, people complain from the lack of drinking water and from floods of the sewage into homes and streets in the camp.
The Center invited the officials responsible for these services and a group of people in the camp to discuss these problems directly.
Following the meeting, a letter was sent by the Center to the Municipality and UNRWA requesting the establishment of new wells and a solution to deal with the sewage problem.
No.
of participants 53, 25 women Key Speakers: Mr.
Abdul Kareem Judeh, director of the UNRWA Sanitation Department.
Mr.
Samy Abu Saleem, Mayor of Deir Al Balah.
Summary of issues raised by the guest speakers: The drinking water is one of the most important services carried out by both the Municipality and the UNRWA.
For years, the Municipality became the main provider of water in the refugee camp upon the request of its residents.
The Municipality carries out regular tests to ensure the adequacy of water.
There is no fear of any pollution in Deir Al Balah.
The problem of the amount of water exists in all the towns of the Gaza Strip; it is beyond the capacity of one municipality.
There is a problem in the maintenance of water equipment because most of the wells are located near Israeli settlements.
Sometimes it is impossible to reach them.
Many people in the refugee camp do not pay for the water service and the municipality lacks the resources to develop the quality of the service, therefore.
UNRWA has continuous coordination with the municipality regarding the projects it implements for the refugees in Deir Al Balah.
This includes some water projects, which comply with the development plans drafted by the PA.
UNRWA understands the problem of the sewage system.
This is why the work in relevant projects is going on at this moment.
The restrictions on movement and closures in the Gaza Strip are the major obstacle facing the UNRWA's efforts to end its projects and solve many problems.
UNRWA is always ready to hear from, and to provide technical assistance for the municipality.
UNRWA is completely dependent on international funding.
This consumes some time for preparing for and raising the funds.
Summary of answers given by the public: The participants appreciated the role of the municipality and the UNRWA but still had complaints concerning water services, especially the severe lack of drinking water and the sewage floods.
The two parties should seek long-term solutions; digging new wells for example.
There are possible dangers of people's health due to the frequent floods.
The two parties are called to deal with this problem.
The cooperation between the two parties is essential for resolving these problems.
They were called upon to work together in terms of financial and technical cooperation.
Planned and undertaken follow-up of issues raised:
The unit sent letters to the two parties asking them to resolve the urgent problems and to look in the people's demands, which affect their standard of life.
The letters talked about founding more wells and expediting the resolution of sewage problems.