- Title: GAZA: Rain storms pour fresh misery on Gaza.
- Date: 2nd February 2012
- Summary: MAN WALKING ON PLANK TO JUMP OVER WATER IN ROAD GAZA CITY, GAZA (RECENT) (REUTERS) MAN WALKING WITH A PLASTIC COVER TO BEDOUIN COMPOUND IN GAZA CHILDREN PLAYING VARIOUS OF MAN, CHILDREN SITTING AROUND FIRE
- Embargoed: 17th February 2012 12:00
- Keywords:
- Location: Gaza, Gaza
- City:
- Country: Palestinian Territories
- Topics: Weather,Economy,Social Services / Welfare
- Reuters ID: LVA9KMWJ1AP7IMRWDRH2GDNJDLDH
- Story Text: Impoverished Palestinians struggle to keep homes and feet dry as rains storms sweep the Gaza Strip.
Torrential rains storms sweeping the Gaza Strip are pouring fresh misery on the 1.5 million Palestinians living in the cramped coastal territory.
Gaza has been crippled by food shortages and mired in poverty, largely due to the ongoing Israeli blockade of the Hamas-controlled territory. And the adverse weather has now brought the water and sewage system close to collapse.
Um Khalid lives in Beach refugee camp. The mother of four was taking advantage of a lull in the stormy weather on Wednesday (February 1) to clean-up the family of six's water-logged single-room home.
"It is very bad. We are six people, my daughter is 18 years, and my son is 17 years old and I have a 14 and 11 year old, and we all live in this room, and my husband is sick we do not have an income. The only source of money comes from United Nations Aid," she told Reuters Television.
Um Khalid's plight is typical of impoverished Gazans struggling to makemeet. For some, like elderly Bedouin resident Ahmad Abu Brik, conditions are even worse.
"What can I do? From where can I get money?" he said, lying on a bed of goat skins in a makeshift tent made of plastic sheeting that offers little protection from the elements outside.
"My brother, give me money and I will buy a piece some land. Now I am living on the ground between the earth and the sky," the 90-year-old added.
Forecasters warn there will be no let up in the bad weather and thunderstorms and heavy rain are expected to lash the occupied Palestinian territories over the next few days. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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- Usage Terms/Restrictions: Footage contains identifiable children: users must ensure that they comply with local laws and regulations governing the publishing of this material.
