GAZA, Palestine, Aug 21 (NNN-XINHUA) – A Palestinian charity, signed a deal with the al-Naser village in Rafah, southern Gaza Strip, to build two China-funded water desalination plants, to alleviate the shortage of potable water there.
The agreement was signed by Give Palestine Association, a non-profit charity, and the municipality of al-Naser village, to build the project, called “Life’s Drops 1.”
Maamoun Abu Shahla, chairman of Give Palestine Association, told Xinhua that, about 10,000 people, the majority of whom are unemployed and suffer from economic crisis, will benefit from the project.
He noted that, the plants were scheduled to begin operation in the next five months, adding that, the water produced will be provided for free.
“China always helps and supports the Palestinian people, with the funded projects that aim at sustainable development, which serves the people, who live under hard living conditions in the Gaza Strip,” he said.
Abu Shahla added that the Palestinian people need China’s continued support to build institutions and infrastructure for development.
Give Palestine Association has already implemented a series of projects called “Light of Life,” which have served various areas in the Gaza Strip since 2016.
Al-Naser Mayor, Muhammed Ashour told Xinhua that, the project is very important because it is going to serve the residents of a marginalised area, who are suffering from the lack of potable water.
A UN report warned, the Gaza Strip is facing a worsening water crisis, that could render it unsuitable for living within a few years, if aid projects are not carried out.
Israel imposed a tight blockade on the Palestinian coastal enclave since 2007, after the Islamic Hamas movement seized control of it from the Palestinian Authority.
