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Organization	Middle East Children's Alliance
Region	Palestine
Website	Website
Facebook	Facebook
Twitter	@Twitter
ProjectLeader	Josie Shields-Stromsness

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The student parliament at a middle school in Gaza voted for the one thing they wanted most for their school: They chose clean water. The water in Gaza is polluted with sea water and chemicals. Poor families are faced with the "choice" of purchasing commercial water or risking the health and well being of their children. This project started in response to the children's request. We build and maintain water purification units in schools and kindergartens throughout Gaza.

Challenge

Recent UN & Amnesty International reports show that only 5% of the water in Gaza is suitable for human consumption. Military attacks, extreme poverty, high population density, and the Israeli blockade of materials, fuel and equipment has left Gaza's water supply inadequate and unhealthy. Tap water exposes children to many risks: parasitic infections, kidney disease, anemia and more. 40% of incidence of disease in Gaza is related to polluted drinking water according to Palestinian Water Authority

Long-Term Impact

The building and maintaining of these water purification and desalination units in schools and community kindergarten dramatically reduces the risk and incidence of a wide range of health and developmental disorders. As a new generation of children in Gaza approach adulthood, the water crisis may be one of the greatest threats to their survival. The units can also provide water to vulnerable children seeking shelter at schools during future Israeli military attacks, as was the case in 2012.