Archive · 7 Nov 2025
Gaza Faces Health Crisis Amid Piles of Garbage and Sewage
Imagine your town has a big pile of trash that just keeps growing.
Now, imagine the war made it so no one can pick up the trash, and the pipes that carry yucky water are broken.
That's what's happening in Gaza.
Piles of garbage and dirty water are everywhere, even next to the tents where people live.
This makes people sick with tummy troubles and itchy skin.
The United Nations is trying to help clean it up, but it's a really big job that needs special machines to fix.
Gaza is struggling with massive amounts of untreated waste, including garbage and sewage, due to the ongoing conflict.
The destruction of infrastructure has led to a severe pollution crisis, with waste accumulating in streets and near temporary shelters.
Residents are experiencing a rise in health issues such as gastric diseases, skin infections, and respiratory problems attributed to the unsanitary conditions.
Limited waste management services and overwhelmed landfill sites, exacerbated by border closures, contribute to the worsening environmental and health crisis.
The UN is working on long-term solutions, including waste-to-energy plants, but immediate access for cleanup machinery is critical.
- Who
- Gazans, particularly residents of Khan Younis
- What
- Severe pollution from garbage, sewage, and hazardous waste due to war damage, leading to health problems.
- When
- Since the start of the war, with ongoing issues despite a recent truce.
- Where
- Gaza Strip, including Khan Younis
- Why
- Destruction of infrastructure, cessation of government services, and limited landfill space exacerbated by the ongoing conflict.
- Waste Volume
- 2 million tons of untreated waste
- Primary Health Concerns
- Gastric diseases, diarrhea, rashes, sores, lice, scabies, bacterial infections
- Damaged Infrastructure
- Wastewater and sewage systems, bomb sites
- UN Involvement
- UNDP is developing plans for waste processing and electricity generation from waste
- Urgent Need
- Access for machinery and equipment for cleanup