Palestine: EU launches €10M desalination project in Gaza

The European Union has launched a 10 million euro low-volume desalination project in Gaza Strip. Acting EU envoy to the West Bank and Gaza, John Gatt-Rutter, signed a memorandum of understanding to that effect with Palestinian Water Authority Chief Shaddad Attili, the Coastal Municipalities Water Utility and UNICEF. Contraction of the plant is to be complete by 2015. "As the EU has reiterated in the past, the continued policy of closure in Gaza has damaged the natural environment, notably water and other natural resources," Gatt- Rutter said. "I hope that this intervention can bring real change for some Palestinians living under unsustainable conditions in the Strip." 

Desalination and the rule of law: EU announces new projects to support Palestinian Authority

Two major sectors in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, the sustainable management of natural resources and the rule of law, will benefit from new EU funding. Announcing a €10 million water desalination facility project in the Gaza Strip, the Acting EU Representative, John Gatt-Rutter said: “I am very pleased to be signing today an agreement with the Palestinian Authority to launch an infrastructure project in Gaza. As the EU has reiterated in the past, the continued policy of closure in Gaza has damaged the natural environment, notably water and other natural resources. I hope that this intervention can bring real change for some Palestinians living under unsustainable conditions in the Strip”. 

 The Acting EU Representative signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Head of the Palestinian Water Authority (PWA) as well as representatives of the Coastal Municipalities Water Utility (CMWU) and UNICEF to mark the agreement for the Short Term-Low Volume Desalination facility that will be constructed in the Gaza Strip over the next three years. 

As identified in the Study of comparative options for water resources (June 2011), this medium-term intervention responds to the humanitarian water crisis in Gaza. Once completed, it will provide safe drinking water and water for domestic use to nearly 75,000 inhabitants in the Khan Younis and Rafah Governorates of the Gaza Strip. 

Highlighting the support of the actors involved in this endeavour, Gatt-Rutter added: “I want to thank the PWA and the CMWU for their cooperation and commitment in making this project a quality one and in securing that the operation and maintenance of the plant will be sustainable. I also want to thank UNICEF for its important role in making the implementation of our support possible in Gaza”. 

The EU also launched a two-year project establishing the first Diploma for Judicial Studies in the Palestinian Judicial system. Through a €1.5 million grant, the EU will support the Palestinian Judicial Institute in carrying out all preparatory work towards an initial training programme for future judges and prosecutors. The project will also upgrade the available training resources by setting-up an Information Resource Centre with a specialised library to provide support to both trainers and trainees. On this occasion, the Acting EU Representative thanked the Palestinian Judicial Institute and the key institutions of the Justice sector, namely the Ministry of Justice, the High Judicial Council and the Office of the Attorney General, for supporting this project, addressing the education needs of the judicial system, and thereby enhancing the judicial institutions of the future Palestinian state with competent, effective and professional judges and prosecutors.

--
Press release 

European Commission Technical Assistance Office for the West Bank and Gaza Strip

UfM discusses Gaza Water Desalination project with financing institutions in the Gulf