ActionAid to Continue Supporting the Establishment of Mobile Sanitation Units and Latrines for Displaced Families in Gaza

Gaza Strip – Palestine: ActionAid Palestine (AAP) continues its support for the establishment of mobile health and sanitation units in the Gaza Strip, in partnership with the Palestinian Development Women Studies Association . Thirteen mobile health and latrines units have been established in Deir al-Balah, Nuseirat, and Zawaida to respond to the urgent needs of families living in extremely difficult conditions. 

The ongoing war on the Gaza Strip since October 2023 has exacerbated the humanitarian situation in Gaza. The continuous military operations have destroyed infrastructure, including water and sanitation facilities, leaving many displaced families in desperate need of mobile health units that provide them with a minimum level of privacy and hygiene. 

Amid the tragic conditions in the Gaza Strip, where there is only one toilet available for every 4,130 people in some areas such as Al-Mawasi, according to Oxfam, this intervention aims to bridge a significant gap in providing essential hygiene facilities. It contributes to restoring human dignity and improving the living conditions of displaced families who lack shelter and necessary sanitary facilities, particularly women. 

Women in the Gaza Strip endure indescribable suffering that permeates even the smallest details of their daily lives amidst displacement and ongoing bombardment. This suffering includes harsh conditions that violate their human rights, dignity, and psychological well-being. A striking example of this is the long queues for shared bathrooms and toilets, which lack privacy, cleanliness, and safe spaces. Women are forced to stand in long ques to access them on daily basis a  reflecting huge suffering endured by women. Women needs are not given a priority amid the chaos and overcrowding. 

Mrs. Hiba (name changed), who is standing in the queue, says: "Going to the bathroom and waiting in line for long hours is a long journey of suffering. I feel very ashamed to stand in line due to the lack of privacy." 
As for Lamia (name changed), she refrains from drinking water throughout the night for fear of having to use the bathroom. She says, "If I need to, I use a bucket as an alternative, in case of a sudden bombardment." 

Sana speaks with deep sorrow: "I cry when I think about what is happening to us. How can our dignity be humiliated to this extent?" 
Doctors in the Gaza Strip point out that the lack of clean drinking water, along with the need to use shared bathrooms in displacement camps and shelters, contributes to the spread of urinary tract infections and women's infections. This is occurring amidst a shortage of medical tests needed to identify types of bacteria. Additionally, other diagnostic procedures for women are not fully available, leading to delayed cancer diagnoses and surgical operations such as hysterectomy. 

Women in the shelters in the Gaza Strip lack clean clothes and the use of sanitary pads to reduce infections. 
There have been many difficulties in establishing these units, mainly due to the obstruction of essential materials from. 

About ActionAid International 

ActionAid International is a global federation working with over 41 million people living in more than 72 of the world's poorest countries. We envision a world characterized by justice and sustainability, where every individual has the right to a dignified life and freedom, and a world free from poverty and oppression. We strive to achieve social justice, gender equality, and eradicate poverty. 

ActionAid Palestine began its work in Palestine in 2007 to strengthen the resilience of the Palestinian people, believing in their right to enjoy freedom, justice, and self-determination. ActionAid Palestine implements several programs through its engagement with Palestinian communities and youth and women’s groups, aiming to empower women and youth and enhance their active civil and political participation to understand their rights and undertake collective action to address the rights violations resulting from the prolonged occupation, in addition to improving their leadership capacity and practicing their citizenship in holding authorities and other duty bearers accountable. 

For more information, please contact: 

Riham Jafari  

Communication and Advocacy Officer at ActionAid Palestine  

Email: Riham.Jafari@actionaid.org