Doctors Without Borders, known by its French acronym MSF, says the remaining water system in Gaza will completely collapse if fuel supplies run out, all but cutting off people’s access to clean water in the Strip, Al Jazeera reports.
The statement came as Israel’s punishing blockade entered its 25th day.
The aid group said the lack of access to safe water is already having dire consequences for people’s health.
In al-Mawasi and Khan Younis healthcare centres, the three most common conditions treated by MSF, jaundice, diarrhoea and scabies, are directly caused by inadequate provision of safe water, it said.
“The sheer number of children with skin conditions is a direct result of Gaza’s destruction and blockade,” said Chiara Lodi, MSF medical team coordinator in Gaza. “In addition to treating adults and children who have severe war injuries, our staff are treating an increasing number of children with entirely preventable skin diseases like scabies, which is not only uncomfortable, but in severe cases, sees them scratch their skin until it bleeds which can lead to infection.”
“This is a result of children being unable to bathe, spreading scabies and other infections, leaving lasting scars,” she added.
