The Turkish Red Crescent and the TIKA have dug seven wells and established three tanks for drinking water in the southern regions of Rafah and Khan Yunis. Water wells and tanks offered by Turkish foundations are effectively helping Palestinians in the Gaza Strip acute water shortage exacerbated by a growing fuel and electricity crisis. “We have three wells and one tank in the northern, eastern and western parts of Rafah dug by the Turkish Red Crescent in 2010,” Omar Shaaban, the head of the projects section at the Water Authority in Rafah, was reported as saying.
Shaaban said the three water wells were dug in areas where there is underground water suitable for human consumption. The official said the Turkey-constructed wells have helped solve the water crisis in Rafah by 20 per cent. The Gaza Strip has been suffering an acute water shortage crisis induced by high water salinity and water pollution in most parts. The electrical power and fuel crises have added insult to injuries.