The King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center launched the first phase of a project to install desalination plants in the Gaza Strip , in the presence of representatives from relevant UN agencies, including UNRWA, UNDP, OCHA , and UNICEF . The project is part of a participatory approach aimed at improving water and sanitation security in affected areas through practical and scalable solutions.
Scope of the first phase and implementation priorities
The Saudi Center for Culture and Heritage (the implementing partner of the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center in the Gaza Strip) is responsible for receiving and installing desalination plants in vital locations to ensure service reaches approximately 300,000 beneficiaries in the Khan Younis and Middle . Implementation focuses on areas in need of safe water sources for domestic use, taking into account speed of operation, reliability, and regular maintenance requirements.
Contextual background: Water desalination in Gaza as a vital solution
Gaza suffers from structural water and sanitation challenges due to pressure on groundwater and damage to networks and infrastructure. In this context, desalination in Gaza a practical option for providing potable water sources for daily use, especially given the need for decentralized solutions that can be deployed gradually and adapted to logistical and operational constraints.
Multilateral Partnership: International Coordination and Implementation
The praise from representatives of UN and international organizations for the project reflects a consensus on the importance of supporting the water and sanitation sector as a direct means of improving quality of life . The presence of specialized UN agencies facilitates the harmonization of technical standards, the exchange of expertise related to water safety and quality, and the coordination of site selection and field monitoring within joint oversight mechanisms.
Impact analysis: Humanitarian priority and measurable outcomes
The project contributes to reducing reliance on unsafe water sources and increasing the supply of desalinated water to the most affected populations. On a practical level, the impact is expected to be evident through indicators such as improved availability of safe water at distribution points, reduced burdens on households and service facilities (schools, health centers), and a decrease in health risks associated with water scarcity or contamination. Furthermore, the inclusion of this project within the Gaza desalination network opens the door for future expansions, whether by increasing the number of desalination plants or enhancing their operational capacity.
Professional perspectives: Sustainability, operation and maintenance
Experts believe that the success of water interventions requires a combination of technical solutions and operational governance. Several considerations stand out in this context: securing the energy sources necessary to operate desalination units; managing maintenance and spare parts to maintain operational efficiency; monitoring quality through periodic inspections according to health standards; and raising community awareness about the rational use of water. These approaches underscore the need for close coordination between implementing agencies and international partners to ensure the sustainability of services.
The human dimension: responding to immediate needs
The beneficiaries expressed their gratitude to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz, and His Royal Highness Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for the assistance provided. This aligns with the Saudi support strategy, channeled through the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center, to alleviate the difficult living conditions in the Gaza Strip and provide essential services that contribute to social and health stability.
Implications of the initiative: From emergency response to institutional building
This step stems from a working philosophy that links immediate humanitarian response with building institutional capacity through technical infrastructure (stations and equipment) and operational procedures (training, maintenance, and follow-up). The success of this first phase will pave the way for geographical or technological expansion, thereby improving water security in additional areas within the sector according to priority needs.
a summary
desalination project in Gaza represents a practical step towards enhancing the supply of usable water, within a framework of international partnership and organized field implementation. Focusing on Khan Younis and the Middle Area, and serving approximately 300,000 people in this phase, the project provides a foundation upon which to build, expanding operational capacity and improving public health and quality of life indicators, within the framework of ongoing humanitarian support based on clear technical and monitoring standards.
