The Rostropovich Vishnevskaya Foundation (RVF) has successfully installed and activated the first solar-powered desalination unit in North Gaza at the Al-Shati Refugee Camp, where thousands of returning children and their families suffer from a lack of safe drinking water caused by a heavily damaged infrastructure. This strategic installation is a first step in providing a reliable source of potable water free of charge to desperate families in North Gaza.  

In order to ensure an uninterrupted supply of water, RVF has installed a solar-powered system to operate the desalination unit. The system produces 1,000 liters of potable water per hour and will serve about 6,000 individuals.

The project is part of RVF’s broader commitment to help alleviate Gaza’s humanitarian crisis. Thanks to support from the UAE and working in partnership with the Kuwaiti Specialty Hospital in Khan Younis, RVF has provided safe drinking water to nearly 200,000 individuals in southern Gaza, equating to 10% of the total population.

The water desalination unit at the Al-Shati Refugee Camp serves as a model for a broader deployment in North Gaza. RVF plans to install multiple units across vulnerable community hubs, fostering long-term water security for returning residents.

Dr. Fakhr Abu Awwad, Head of RVF’s Gaza Office, underscored the organization’s unwavering commitment: "Navigating operational challenges in North Gaza demands adaptable, sustainable solutions. Our reliance on solar energy enables us to maintain water supply stability in such a volatile environment. Our intention is that this unit will be the first of many, each playing a crucial role in mitigating the region’s acute drinking water crisis."

The installation has already made tangible improvements to daily life within the camp.

Raja Al-Aswad, a displaced mother of four, shared: "Before, we had water only once every two or three days, forcing us into a constant search. With RVF’s unit now operating, we have clean water every day, it has transformed our lives."

Saeed Ahmed, a local resident, emphasized: "Families were struggling, often going days without a drop of water. This unit provides a reliable and stable water source, significantly improving living conditions for all of us."