Most of us take for granted the ability to turn on a tap and get clean, running water. In the West Bank, that is very often not the case. This World Water Week, we want to help families who don't have reliable and clean water.

The Northern West Bank is surrounded by Israeli settlements with abundant water resources, while the Palestinian communities nearby have little water. Israel recently announced that it will decrease the water supply to the West Bank by 50%, further increasing water scarcity.

Friends of the Holy Land is working with vulnerable Christian communities to provide access to water, through 2 types of water projects: 

• Digging shallow wells (permits are not granted for deep wells). The wells will provide water for around 500 people.
  
  
• Replacing old water tanks, which are no longer effective or hygienic.

We are undertaking these projects to combat water shortages in the Holy Land, however there are many Christian communities who still need our help. 

Here are two of our recent projects, helping to address the water scarcity for Christians in the West Bank:

Digging shallow wells in Zababdeh

Zababdeh is in the Jenin area and is surrounded by settlements with well-irrigated land. It suffers from chronic water shortage, especially in summer. 

We have dug six new wells and are in the process of providing water tanks to 90 families in Zababdeh. In order to allow the families to feel ownership of the project and not be seen as ‘charity cases’, they are being asked to contribute a little towards the costs.

   

We want to replicate this project for many more Christians, particularly those living in the northern West Bank. Areas which have just about managed for water will no longer be able to cope with the reduced supply.

Will you help us bring this essential project to Christians where it is needed most? 

A project like this costs around £50,000 in total but every contribution, no matter how small or large, helps us bring essential water to Christian communities and make a big impact on their quality of life.

Donate

New water tanks in Bethlehem

The old town of Bethlehem frequently experiences poor or no water supply (for several weeks at a time) and residents are forced to use stored water or buy in water from a tanker at 4 times the price of tap water.

We are replacing storage tanks and solar panels for the poorest Christian families with old, rusty or unhygienic tanks. Earlier this year we replaced the tanks for 48 families in Bethlehem old town, including the Jabrieh family, pictured below. You can see the poor state of their tanks before replacement and how much of a difference the new tanks will make to their life.

 

£1000 will provide installation of water tanks for a family, giving them access to clean water. Will you chip in to help a family have clean water?

Donate

As well as improving the hygiene and health of the vulnerable families whose homes are improved by installing water tank packages, these projects also provide much needed work to the equipment suppliers, site managers and contractors who are completing the wells and installations.

All of these workers are Christian, and their businesses have been devastated by the war as construction activity has stalled due to the uncertainty and lack of income experienced by all.

These vital works meeting the essential needs of our vulnerable brothers and sisters also help some small Christian contracting businesses survive. Therefore, your generous gifts have twice the impact.