The Head of the Water Authority, Eng. Mazen Ghunaim, met with the representative of the Red Cross Mission in Gaza, Ms. Kerem Mueller, to discuss the strengthening of coordination and cooperation between the two parties, especially in light of the recent aggression on the Gaza Strip and the resulting damage to all aspects of infrastructure, particularly water facilities, which require urgent action and rapid intervention to address the damages.

Minister Ghunaim reviewed the steps taken by the Water Authority and the partners, which contributed to the rehabilitation of many lines and networks to ensure the return of water and wastewater services.

In this regard, Minister Ghunaim stressed the importance of concerted efforts and cooperation by the Red Cross to work to provide the necessary spare parts, pipes, and connections, that are used for urgent interventions and ensure their availability in the stores previously equipped, where these measures come within the framework of the emergency response plan that was agreed upon between the Water Authority and the Red Cross, which aim to equip the water sector to cope with any disruptions caused by the Israeli aggression or any natural disasters.

The meeting also discussed the need for urgent intervention by the Red Cross to contribute to the necessary repairs to sewage lines in various places in the Gaza Strip and to carry out maintenance work for generators in wastewater facilities.

For her part, Mueller confirmed that they are working according to the emergency plan that was agreed upon with the Water Authority, according to the priorities and urgent humanitarian needs, noting that the interventions of the Red Cross are carried out on short and long term levels, and they include all priorities set by the Water Authority through its assessment of the water, humanitarian and service realities for the benefit of the citizens.

At the end of the meeting, the two parties agreed to discuss all technical details and work mechanisms to provide the necessary and emergency needs of materials and equipment to be able to intervene urgently in the event of any emergency, as well as to achieve the integration of work between the various parties following the basic plan of the Water Authority.