Mumtaz Moosa | mumtazs@icloud.com
1 September 2024 | 22:00 CAT
1 min read

Photo Credit: Palestine Online

We may face challenges with water supply here in South Africa—a day or two without water can feel like an eternity. But have you ever considered the true value of a single drop of water?

A few nights ago, someone asked a Palestinian from Khan Younis to share his GoFundMe details in a group chat. His response was poignant: “What is the point of this right now? Yes, I need money, and my family has many debts, but since October 2023, food prices have soared, driving us further into debt. Today, I ask you: what is the point if we have no water to drink, and we are restricted in our access to even the most basic supply?”

This response struck me. It made me realise the dire situation unfolding, where water—a basic human right—is being denied to an entire population. In December 2023, the United Nations published an article highlighting the worsening water crisis in many Palestinian territories. Now, we find ourselves witnessing this grim reality where the fundamental right to water is being withheld from the people of Palestine.

For nearly 11 months, infrastructure has been severely damaged, and people have been forced to wait in long lines for clean water. Sometimes, after hours of waiting, they receive just a small bottle of water—nowhere near enough for an entire family.

Many of us rely on news from Palestinians themselves, as independent journalists have been pushed out of the area. This brings us to a critical question: what is the true cost of water? The simple answer is that it costs more than we can imagine—beyond price.

So, the next time you turn on the tap and drink a glass of water, take a moment to thank the Almighty for what you have. And make a special dua for those in Palestine fighting for something as fundamental as water.