DFID has not produced any reports on the recent sewage flooding in the Gaza Strip, but the UN Office for the Co-ordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UN-OCHA) publishes regular updates. DFID is in close contact with UN-OCHA and other agencies to establish the extent of the damage, and humanitarian and longer term needs.
Reports indicate that the volume of waste water exceeded the capacity at the existing treatment plant, leading to the flooding. The World Bank (WB) had been working with the Palestinian Authority (PA) to build a new plant. However, restrictions imposed by Israel and the poor security situation in Gaza hindered access for experts and equipment imports. The excess sewage finally caused the supporting walls of a filtration basin to break, flooding the nearby village of Umm Nasser.
DFID is monitoring the situation and staying in close contact with the PA, civil society and other donors regarding the relief effort. Through the Temporary International Mechanism, the European Commission (EC) is funding fuel for heavy machinery to re-establish the embankment. The European Commission Humanitarian Office (ECHO) is providing €600,000 to consolidate the embankments of the main sewage lake where there is a danger of collapse. The UK contributes about 17 per cent. of EC assistance.
The United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) has sent 300 tents, six water tanks, blankets, mattresses and hygiene kits to the affected area. DFID is providing £15 million of core funding to UNRWA this year. NGOs and other UN organisations have identified relief supplies to provide to those affected. UN-OCHA, which is co-ordinating the humanitarian response, has told DFID that the humanitarian situation is under control. They are not requesting any assistance beyond what has already been pledged.
The Palestinian Water Authority (PWA) and the WB met with the Government of Israel on 28 March. Israel agreed to provide free access to the area, facilitate the import of necessary equipment and provide technicians. The PWA and the WB are looking immediately to address the disaster area, including clean-up and the pumping of surplus sewage to a safe site.