In the West Bank, access to water and adequate sanitation continues to be a significant challenge. In Area C in particular, around 300,000 Palestinians, including 16,000 Bedouins, are directly affected by Israeli restrictions and control of WASH-related infrastructure, such as water and sanitation networks. In Area C, around 95,000 people receive less than 50 liters of water per capita per day, while over 83,000 people consume bad quality drinking water, being mainly dependent on tankered water from unsecured sources, rainwater harvesting, good quality water stored in contaminated storage, or due to unsafe hygiene practices at Household level (lack of sanitation and/or handwashing facilities). Palestinian communities in East Jerusalem also suffer from inadequate WASH services, with only 59 per cent of residents legally and properly connected to the water grid.

• Evaluate feasibility as well as user acceptance of handwashing systems recycling water in clinics in located in Area C in West Bank

Given the current humanitarian situation, among other activities in the framework of a UNICEF funded project, CESVI committed to improve the hygienic conditions of patients of 20 health clinic located in Area C of the West Bank. In particular hand-washing stations with water treatment and reuse were introduced in all the clinics, coupled with awareness raising sessions. All the clinics experienced a very limited access to water due to the fact that they are not connected to the water network or – in few cases – there was a connection but with a very irregular and unreliable water supply.

• Good microbial water quality – no E.coli found in water samples, integrity test showed at least 99% removal of bacteria

• Design needs to be adapted to improve the size of the sink, quality of the wooden housing and size of the system

• There is always enough water in the system to wash hands

• Few users refused to use recycled water for cultural reasons

20 systems in health clinics

Partners: Cesvi, Unicef, FHNW

Donors: Unicef

Duration: 2018 - 2019