Protecting transboundary groundwater sources from pollution in Israel and Palestine: research, training and guidelines for Israeli and Palestinian municipalities
Perpetual competition for water in the Middle East is a matter of contention and,in order to preserve both the environment and security, Green Cross France aims to reduce the tension that results from limited amounts of groundwater resources in Israel and Palestine. Pollution of groundwater resources in the region has been caused largely by human impact on the environment in terms of domestic effluents, industrial activity, and environmentally harmful agricultural practices. Since the summer of 2006, Green Cross France has coordinated a project arising from its partnership with Friends of the Earth-Middle East and the House of Water and Environment. The project has clear objectives; primary among them is the goal of educating Israelis and Palestinians at a local level to establish a network of water professionals with strong technical knowledge of groundwater preservation.In doing so the project will also clearly define the guidelines agreed upon for monitoring, alleviating and managing pollution. The ultimate objective of the project is to secure a commitment from municipalities to adhere to and improve pollution levels in their respective jurisdictions.
Strengthening the Coastal Water Municipalities Union (CWMU) to improve their water services and sanitation management
In Gaza, the average person's daily water consumption is less than half the amount recommended by the World Health Organization. Insufficient water access is partially to blame for the low living standards and prolonged violence in the region. Only nine of the existing 24 high flow wells in Gaza are operational, and many illegal wells further exploit the overextended coastal aquifer. This situation is largely due to the economic and political crisis that has led directly to increases in the cost of providing water services while at the same time reducing technical knowledge and the capacity of the staff to service and maintain the existing water infrastructure. In order to take steps toward improving this situation, since February 2007 Green Cross France has implemented a training programme for members of the Coastal Water Municipalities Union (CWMU) with the Palestinian Hydrology Group and strong support from the Palestinian Water Authority. Over the course of nine months, over 150 people have been part of an internship programme that teaches participants to improve and maintain the water infrastructure. Individuals receive instruction on running and maintaining wells and water supply systems, managing purification and water treatment plants, as well as being taught resource integration and financial management. The Palestinian Water Authority and the CWMU are in charge of defining the programme, as well as choosing participants, which in turn provides the project with legitimacy, expertise, and longevity, thus improving access to water in Gaza while also increasing the human capital in the region.
Israel and Palestine - Determine the needs to optimize water resources: A necessary step to achieve reconciliation
By coordinating a research panel to assess the long-term supply and demand of water in Palestine and Israel, Green Cross France, in partnership with the Peres Center for Peace, has demonstrated its deep commitment to the challenge of finding innovative methods for preserving the Earth's finite resources. This research panel is focused on correctly evaluating the water needs of the region, and brainstorming to meet those needs as a necessary step towards increased cooperation among competing interest groups.The initial step in this project, which started in January 2007,is to organise a group of both Israeli and Palestinian specialists and international experts. The final goal of the study is to provide Israel and Palestine with reliable,unbiased data and analysis on the water needs and availability in the region, thus opening avenues for collaboration over integrated water management.
Establishing the Abdullah Rotenberg Peace Park in the Middle East:
Three local authorities - Muaz Bin Jabal (Jordan),Jordan Valley Regional Council (Israel), and Beit Shean Regional Council (Israel) - have come together to take the first steps toward establishing the Abdullah Rotenberg Peace Park along the confluence of the Lower Jordan and Yarmuk Rivers. Currently in the planning stage, the park will establish a natural habitat for different native animals and plants while attracting migrating birds. This will create a unique eco-tourist attraction for travellers in Jordan and Israel, to be combined with nature trails to the cultural heritage sites associated with the Three Bridges.Green Cross France and Friends of the Earth Middle East are currently guiding the project's progress.
Rainwater Harvesting Systems in Schools in the Middle East:
A recent project initiated by Green Cross France and partner organisation Friends of the Earth Middle East, seeks to install 12 additional rainwater harvesting systems in schools and community centres in Palestinian, Jordanian and Israeli communities. This most recent initiative is an expansion of a pilot project which installed 14 systems - 7 in Palestine, 5 in Israel, and 2 in Jordan - thanks to funding from the European Union and U.S. Wye River programme. The Middle East projects led and managed by Green Cross are financially supported by The French Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the French Development Agency, the Fondation Manna, the Cities of Lyon and Paris, and the Water Agencies of Loire-Bretagne and Rhône- Méditerranée et Corse.
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