Gaza WASH Response ltpgtltbrgtThe dire situation in Gaza demands urgent intervention, with over half of the population facing starvation and inadequate nutrition. Safe water access remains a critical challenge, leading many to resort to unsafe sources, posing significant risks of waterborne diseases.lt/pgtltpgtltbrgtRafah currently bears the highest concentration of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) compared to other governorates in the Strip. However, obtaining an accurate count of the total number of IDPs remains a formidable challenge. UNRWA reports suggest that nearly 1.9 million people in Gaza, accounting for nearly 85 percent of the population, are estimated to be internally displaced, a figure that includes individuals displaced multiple times.lt/pgtltpgtltbrgtThe population density in Rafah has surged to over 12,000 people per square kilometer, marking a fourfold increase compared to the situation before the escalation. The dire circumstances force thousands of people to queue up at aid distribution centers, seeking essentials like food, water, shelter, and protection. Informal displacement sites and makeshift shelters lack proper sanitation facilities, exacerbating the challenges faced by those seeking refuge.lt/pgtltpgtltbrgtWater services are on the brink of collapse, forcing residents to rely on unsafe sources, posing additional risks to children vulnerable to diseases like diarrhea and malnutrition. The situation has led to a surge in reported cases, including a significant increase in diarrhea among children under five. With rising communicable diseases due to water scarcity, overcrowding, and a collapsing healthcare sector, the situation is dire.lt/pgtltpgt  ltbrgtIn partnership with UN OCHA, Anera proposes a targeted project in Rafah's most vulnerable and densely populated areas with supporting water supply at informal shelters. This project directly addresses the immediate needs of 75,000 IDPs by installing a total of 42 water tanks. The project aims to fill a total of 8,550 cubic meters of water, utilizing 12 five-cubic-meter tanks and 33 three-cubic-meter tanks. Over 57 days, the tanks will be filled daily with a total of 150 cubic meters of water per day, providing potable water to those most in need. This project aligns with the WASH cluster's Strategic Objective 2 the basic needs of vulnerable Palestinians living under occupation are met through the provision of quality basic services and improved access to resources, in accordance with the rights of protected persons under IHL.lt/pgtltpgtltbrgtAnera will conduct a technical rapid assessment to identify the most vulnerable and populated areas with informal shelters in need of water supply. This will also include an assessment on the average daily water consumption in the targeted areas. Anera will partner with ETA Water Company for delivery and installation of tanks, and provision of 150 cubic meters of water supply per day. Anera will also partner with its existing partner under the emergency response supporting on different emergency needs, Gaza Culture Development Group (GCDG), for the technical rapid assessments and the daily supervision and monitoring of the water supply.  Moreover, Anera and GCDG will oversee processes by conducting checks on receipts, delivery schedules, and regularly testing water quality, including Total Dissolved Salt (TDS) detection in alignment with WHO standards. This monitoring is an integral component of the periodic assessment of overall assistance to targeted IDPs, encompassing food and non-food items.ltbrgtlt/pgt