STORY: People in Gaza's Rafah struggling amidst conflict and piled debris
SHOOTING TIME: April 20, 2024
DATELINE: April 22, 2024
LENGTH: 00:01:37
LOCATION: GAZA, Palestine
CATEGORY: SOCIETY/HEALTH

SHOTLIST:
1. various of areas inflicted by mounting waste in Gaza
2. SOUNDBITE 1 (Arabic): EMAD ABDUL RAHMAN, Resident in Rafah
3. SOUNDBITE 2 (Arabic): MARWAN AL-HAMS, Head of the Health Emergency Committee in Gaza

STORYLINE:

As municipal services come to a standstill in Rafah, southern Gaza, residents face the burden of coping with mounting waste.

Emad Adul Rahman, a 45-year-old father of four, has to take on a two-kilometer trek daily to dispose of household waste.

SOUNDBITE 1 (Arabic): EMAD ABDUL RAHMAN, Resident in Rafah
"Because of the mosquitoes, all the children are sick and garbage is thrown everywhere. We hope that local authorities will fulfill their duties and address this waste issue."

Rahman said the prolonged absence of services had resulted in a buildup of garbage and sewage in their living areas.

Since the conflict between Israel and Hamas began last October, municipal services in the city have ceased. 

This has created a problem, worsened by the summer heat, as the accumulating waste emits strong odors. 

This poses health risks in the densely populated city, home to over 1.5 million refugees.

SOUNDBITE 2 (Arabic): MARWAN AL-HAMS, Head of the Health Emergency Committee in Gaza
"Patients with symptoms such as diarrhea, extreme fatigue, and high fevers went to the Abu Youssef Al-Najjar Hospital. These cases could potentially indicate the presence of epidemics in Gaza, possibly leading to outbreaks like cholera. The gathering of residents in schools and places where there is no water or electricity could bring about disasters in the coming days, weeks, or even longer."

Salama Maarouf, head of the Hamas-run government media office, warns that the Gaza Strip is exposed to unprecedented health problems and environmental pollution, urging the world to take heed of Gaza's hidden crisis.

Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Gaza, Palestine.
(XHTV)