Chairman’s Message

The water and wastewater sector is one of the most essential pillars of life, public health, and sustainable development. The efficiency of its services is directly linked to society’s ability to remain resilient and preserve the foundations of a dignified life. In the Gaza Strip, this sector has faced unprecedented challenges as a result of the war and the extensive destruction it has caused to infrastructure and vital facilities. Consequently, maintaining the continuity of water and wastewater services and restoring the sector’s operational capacity have become among the foremost national and humanitarian priorities.

In light of this reality, joint efforts are essential to overcome the effects of the destruction and rebuild the water and wastewater systems on more efficient and sustainable foundations. This is necessary to meet citizens’ needs, protect public health and the environment, and preserve limited water resources. This phase also demonstrates that recovery is not limited to rehabilitating damaged facilities and networks; it requires a comprehensive strategic vision that strengthens institutions’ capacity to manage and develop infrastructure and ensures the continuity of services in the face of future challenges.

In fulfillment of our national and institutional responsibilities, the Board of Directors of the Coastal Municipalities Water Utility (CMWU) continues to strengthen the Utility’s role in serving citizens and municipalities and to develop its capabilities in line with the scale of its responsibilities. Our priority at this stage is to support efforts to maintain essential services and restore damaged facilities, while laying the necessary foundations for recovery and reconstruction. These efforts aim to ensure the optimal use of available resources and pave the way for a water and wastewater sector better equipped to respond to growing needs.

We take pride in our strategic partnership with the Palestinian Water Authority, as well as our cooperation and coordination with the Ministry of Local Government, municipalities, and other national institutions, alongside our international and local partners, to develop the water and wastewater sector and strengthen its capacity to sustain and improve its services. We believe that complementary roles, unified efforts, and coordinated priorities are fundamental pillars for addressing current challenges, rehabilitating infrastructure, and improving service delivery, ultimately establishing a more efficient and sustainable institutional system that responds to citizens’ needs.

We also emphasize the importance of continued Arab and international support for developing the water and wastewater sector in the Gaza Strip and directing such support toward urgent needs, recovery requirements, and reconstruction efforts. The extensive damage to vital facilities requires the provision of the necessary funding to rehabilitate wastewater treatment plants, develop water and wastewater networks, improve stormwater drainage systems, protect the groundwater aquifer, and reduce environmental pollution. It is equally important to strengthen the technical and institutional capacities of CMWU, enabling it to restore and improve its services, uphold citizens’ right to safe water and sanitation, and safeguard the rights of future generations. We hope that our partnerships with international and humanitarian organizations and donor agencies will continue and grow stronger in response to the scale of needs, opening broader opportunities for implementing programs and projects with a lasting impact.

While emphasizing the importance of infrastructure development, we also believe that building institutions capable of sustaining their operations is essential to the success of recovery efforts. Accordingly, we will continue working to enhance CMWU’s efficiency, develop its technical and administrative capacities, reinforce the principles of institutional governance, transparency, and accountability, and strengthen coordination with municipalities and relevant institutions. These efforts will support the Utility’s role in managing water and wastewater facilities and improving its services in accordance with professional and sustainable standards that serve the public interest.

We also express our profound appreciation to the engineers, technicians, administrators, and staff of the Coastal Municipalities Water Utility, as well as all those working in the water and wastewater sector, who continue to fulfill their duties under exceptionally difficult circumstances. They make sustained efforts to safeguard vital facilities and maintain services despite limited resources. We affirm that supporting and empowering these personnel and providing them with the necessary working conditions and resources constitute an essential part of our responsibility toward the institution and the community it serves.

We also recognize the role of local and international media organizations in highlighting the realities facing the water and wastewater sector and communicating its needs and challenges to the international community. Their efforts contribute to raising awareness of the importance of supporting this vital sector and mobilizing the necessary resources to address humanitarian needs and reconstruction requirements.

In conclusion, we extend our sincere thanks and appreciation to the Palestinian Water Authority, municipalities, the Ministry of Local Government, and all our international and local partners for their continued support and assistance in CMWU’s efforts to maintain and develop water and wastewater services. We reaffirm our commitment to continuing our work and cooperation with all relevant stakeholders, guided by our responsibility toward the Palestinian people and our conviction that protecting and rebuilding this sector are essential components of recovery and reconstruction. These efforts are integral to ensuring a dignified and healthy life for Palestinian citizens, protecting the environment, and safeguarding the future of generations to come in Palestine.

Dr. Majed Awni Abu Ramadan    
Chairman of the Board of Directors