OCHA Situation Report
OPT: Beit Lahia Waste Water Treatment Plant Floods
28 March 2007


Source: UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs

1. Facts on the ground

At 9.30 this morning a large wave of effluence from an emergency 
filtration basin at the waste water treatment plant in Beit Lahia in 
north western Gaza flooded into the nearby Bedouin village of Um Al 
Nasser.

Four people are reported dead and a further 18 injured while dozens of 
homes have been destroyed and damaged from the flood waters. The cause 
of the over flow has still to be determined however there has been 
concern for a number of years at the lack of capacity at the treatment 
plant to absorb the ever expanding volume of effluence.

Estimated Casualties / Damage

Deaths: 4
Injuries: 18
Missing people: 11
Houses destroyed/damaged: 96


2. Humanitarian impact and immediate needs

- Relocation of between 250 and 300 families to a temporary camp 
situated on higher ground between the bedouin village and the former 
Israeli Nissanit settlement.

- The western side of the main effluent lake at the waste water 
treatment plant is believed to be weak and could be close to collapse if 
not reinforced immediately. A further 800 houses could be affected in 
the event of additional flooding.

- The flash flooding has led to the discovery of four unexploded Israeli 
artillery shells. More unexploded ordnance can be expected to be found

- Immediate provision of tents, blankets, mattresses, food and water is 
required to those who have moved to the camp.

- Concerns exist over the spread of communicable diseases in the absence 
of basic sanitary provision and the prevalence of sewage displaced into 
households

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