Gaza - August 03, 2024

Storyline:
Water crisis in Gaza has been worsening as Israeli army blew up dozens of water wells, prompting the displaced to search for alternative ways to access water.

Digging into the sand is a way they found to access groundwater.

Mazen Abu Ataya, a Palestinian worker, has been digging wells for displaced people using this old, traditional method. Water is extracted using a rope. Displaced people and children queue up for it.

Wasfia Faraj, a displaced Palestinian, lives in a camp for displaced people in the middle of the Gaza Strip. She has to collect well water and back to her tent every day with hard work as she needs to take care of her family.

The severe shortage of drinking water in Gaza poses one of the greatest challenge to the health of the population, especially with the summer heat. Dirty water causes intestinal infections with vomiting and diarrhea, and also leads to dehydration.

As the war continues for the tenth month, Gaza has lost almost all of its water production capacity, with 88 percent of its water wells and all its desalination plants damaged or destroyed, according to a recent report by Oxfam.

Shotlist:
Gaza Strip - Aug 3, 2024:
1. Various of Palestinian worker Mazen Abu Ataya extracting water, pouring into empty buckets;
2. SOUNDBITE (Arabic) Mazen Abu Ataya, Palestinian worker:
"This well was drilled in addition to three other wells to cover the region's need for water due to the severe shortage. As you can see, these wells are not enough to meet the needs of all of the people here. We need more water supply."
3. Various of Wasfia Faraj, displaced Palestinian, collecting water, back to tent
4. SOUNDBITE (Arabic) Wasfia Faraj, displaced Palestinian (partially overlaid with shot 5):
"We are suffering from difficult conditions. We used to have to fetch water in the past from the sea or wells far from our area. My mother is disabled and needs water every day for her hygiene. I also have my children and other children in the family who need water constantly."
[SHOT OVERLAYING SOUNDBITE]
5. Faraj spooning up water;
[SHOT OVERLAYING SOUNDBITE]
6. Empty buckets;
7. Various of kid using water to wash head;
8. Water being poured out;
9. People gathering to collect water.

[Restrictions : No access Chinese mainland]