Children displaced in southern Gaza are facing a severe shortage of water, falling below their essential survival requirements, according to Unicef.

Unicef Executive Director Catherine Russell warned of the imminent threat, stating that without access to safe water, more children are at risk of succumbing to deprivation and disease in the coming days.

The dire situation is exacerbated by the use of water from unsafe sources, characterized by high salinity or pollution.

Specifically, in Rafah, where a significant population, half of them children, has sought refuge since December, the water and sanitation systems are described as being in an extremely critical state, according to the UN children’s agency.