Publication:
Toward Water Security for Palestinians: West Bank and Gaza Water Supply, Sanitation, and Hygiene Poverty Diagnostic

Loading...
Thumbnail Image
Files in English
English PDF (12.11 MB)
1,384 downloads
Date
2018-08-31
ISSN
Published
2018-08-31
Editor(s)
Abstract
The Palestinian territories face significant and growing shortfalls in the water supply available for domestic use. With population of approximately 4.8 million growing at an average annual rate of 2.8 percent, the domestic supply gap is projected to dramatically increase unless supply and service options are expanded. The Water Supply, Sanitation, and Hygiene Poverty Diagnostic (WASH PD) assesses the underlying causes of the chronic and growing water insecurity in the Palestinian territories to inform water and sanitation programming. Water security requires that water resources are well managed, including risks, and that water service providers (SPs) are capable and motivated to provide sustainable, efficient, and equitable services. In the Palestinian territories, the WASH PD identified that water security was threatened by a complex set of factors including (a) Water resources: Declining quality and quantity due to over-abstraction, lack of regulation, and lack of environmental protection of water resources; (b) Service provision: The SPs operate on an inefficient basis with not-insignificant water losses and low-cost recovery. The SPs’ inability to provide reliable water services undermines customer confidence and willingness to pay; and (c) Geopolitical: The sector development is constrained by the geopolitical context within which it operates, limiting access to goods, services and water resources. To analyze and improve water security in the Palestinian territories, the WASH PD proposed an IWII framework (institutions, water resources, investments and incentives) that integrates efficient use of natural and financial resources to better meet demand and collaborative solutions within the region and with Palestinians to improve access to water supply and to protect resources. The WASH PD in West Bank and Gaza is part of a global initiative to improve evidence on the linkages between WASH, poverty, and service delivery.
Link to Data Set
Citation
World Bank Group. 2018. Toward Water Security for Palestinians: West Bank and Gaza Water Supply, Sanitation, and Hygiene Poverty Diagnostic. © World Bank. http://hdl.handle.net/10986/30316 License: CC BY 3.0 IGO.
Associated URLs
Associated content
Report Series
Other publications in this report series
Journal
Journal Volume
Journal Issue

Related items

Showing items related by metadata.

  • Publication
    Ghana - Public Expenditures Review : Rural Water and Sanitation Sector
    (Washington, DC, 2008-05) World Bank
    The public sector review aims at supporting the Government of Ghana (GoG) in enhancing effectiveness and efficiency in the rural and semi-urban water and sanitation sub-sectors on the basis of an analysis of trends in sector development over the period 2001 to 2006. The present report provides a number of conclusions and recommendations that have been discussed with national stakeholders at a final workshop. On this basis a first draft of an action plan for moving towards a sector-wide (programme) approach (SWAP) in the sector has been formulated. Drinking water constitutes a priority in the Ghana poverty reduction strategy. Budgetary allocations to the rural water sub-sector have increased in real terms by more than three times over the past six years 2001-2006. On the whole, budgetary allocations to the sector increased by 36 percent in real terms per year over the observed period 2001-2006 due to increases in donor aid by an annual average of 68 percent in real terms per year. However, the level of domestic funding declined on average per year by 7 percent in real terms. Then, about 93 percent of the activities are funded by Development Partners. The relatively low GoG fiscal commitment is increasingly being questioned by Development Partners and it is being argued that GoG funding should at least cover a reasonable funding level of the government sector institutions. Finally, achieving the objectives for the sub-sector requires that organizational strengthening and capacity building is implemented within sector institutions, but especially at the district assembly (DA) level. The strengthening of the Water Directorate (WD) is vital in order to provide an adequate framework that will be in a position to spearhead the sector development and in particular the emergence of SWAP in the water supply sector. Community Water and Sanitation Agency (CWSA) plays an important role to ensure water delivery in an environment with relatively weak capacity at DA but needs to adjust its organizational structure and core functions to the decentralization process.
  • Publication
    Trends in Private Sector Participation in the Indian Water Sector : A Critical Review
    (Washington, DC, 2011-09) World Bank
    Public Private Partnerships (PPPs) in the water supply sector began to emerge in the early 1990s in most developing countries of the world. Initiated in most countries by international private operators, these arrangements were typically large-scale PPP projects which required the private operators to finance, develop, operate, and manage the water supply system for a large population base. However, international observers have noted that most of these large-scale projects could not be successfully implemented on account of a host of interrelated factors. These factors included difficulties in achieving financial closure by the private operators, sociopolitical barriers, tariff-setting issues, and high financial risk. The failure of several large-scale projects during this phase resulted in many international private operators withdrawing from such projects in the developing countries. This gave rise to the perception that the number of PPP contracts being pursued in the water supply sector was declining.
  • Publication
    Water and Development : An Evaluation of World Bank Support, 1997-2007, Volume 2. Appendixes
    (Washington, DC: World Bank, 2010) Independent Evaluation Group
    The amount of available water has been constant for millennia, but over time the planet has added 6 billion people. Water is essential to human life and enterprise, and the increasing strains on available water resources threaten the mission of institutions dedicated to economic development. The ultimate goal is to achieve a sustainable balance between the resources available and the societal requirement for water. In this evaluation the Independent Evaluation Group (IEG) examines all the water-related projects financed by the World Bank between fiscal 1997 and the end of calendar 2007. Bank activities related to water are large, growing, and integrated. They include water resources management, water supply and sanitation, and activities related to agricultural water, industrial water, energy generation, and water in the environment. Through both lending and grants, the World Bank (the International Development Association and the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development, or IBRD) has supported countries in many water-related sectors. This evaluation examines the full scope of that support over the period from fiscal 1997 to the end of calendar 2007. More than 30 background studies prepared for the evaluation have analyzed Bank lending by thematic area and by activity type. The evaluation is by definition retrospective, but it identifies changes that will be necessary going forward, including those related to strengthening country-level institutions and increasing financial sustainability.
  • Publication
    India - Improving Urban Water Supply and Sanitation Services : Lessons from Business Plans for Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Haryana and International Good Practices
    (Washington, DC, 2012-07) World Bank
    The purpose of this report is to distill lessons learnt for improving Water Supply and Sanitation (WSS) services in India, by reference to the recent WSS business plans prepared for the three states of Maharashtra, Rajasthan and Haryana and from various studies carried out by the World Bank on international good practices in urban water service delivery. The report culls out the core elements of the WSS reform program and proposes how such reforms might be implemented. The intended audience for this report is policy makers at the national and state levels, sector professionals and practitioners. The report identifies the key elements of a state-wide program for improving WSS services and accountability on the basis of the following three pillars: i) policies and institutions: appropriate policies and institutional arrangements that clarify the roles and responsibilities of key actors, and which create service providers that are efficient, accountable and customer focused with sufficient autonomy to manage their affairs in a professional manner; ii) infrastructure and financing: medium term infrastructure development program with appropriate financial frameworks that encourage service providers to rely increasingly on user fees and, later on, loans as their main sources of financing. Any subsidies within that framework should be provided in a targeted and transparent manner to support government policies; and iii) capacity building for professional services: ensuring well trained, knowledgeable and motivated staff to deliver the services in a high quality manner. To put the sector in context, the report begins by summarizing the results of various international studies undertaken over the last several years by the World Bank to better understand the makings of well run public WSS companies. These findings point towards the need to establish sectors which encourage the development of autonomous, accountable and customer oriented service providers. Within that framework the report provides suggestions on practical steps that can be taken by governments and service providers.
  • Publication
    Improving Urban Water Supply and Sanitation Services : Advisory Note
    (Washington, DC, 2012-07) World Bank
    The purpose of this report is to distill lessons learnt for improving Water Supply and Sanitation (WSS) services in India, by reference to the recent WSS business plans prepared for the three states of Maharashtra, Rajasthan and Haryana and from various studies carried out by the World Bank on international good practices in urban water service delivery. The report culls out the core elements of the WSS reform program and proposes how such reforms might be implemented. The intended audience for this report is policy makers at the national and state levels, sector professionals and practitioners. The report identifies the key elements of a state-wide program for improving WSS services and accountability on the basis of the following three pillars: i) policies and institutions: appropriate policies and institutional arrangements that clarify the roles and responsibilities of key actors, and which create service providers that are efficient, accountable and customer focused with sufficient autonomy to manage their affairs in a professional manner; ii) infrastructure and financing: medium term infrastructure development program with appropriate financial frameworks that encourage service providers to rely increasingly on user fees and, later on, loans as their main sources of financing. Any subsidies within that framework should be provided in a targeted and transparent manner to support government policies; and iii) capacity building for professional services: ensuring well trained, knowledgeable and motivated staff to deliver the services in a high quality manner. To put the sector in context, the report begins by summarizing the results of various international studies undertaken over the last several years by the World Bank to better understand the makings of well run public WSS companies. These findings point towards the need to establish sectors which encourage the development of autonomous, accountable and customer oriented service providers. Within that framework the report provides suggestions on practical steps that can be taken by governments and service providers.

Users also downloaded

Showing related downloaded files

  • Publication
    Global Economic Prospects, June 2025
    (Washington, DC: World Bank, 2025-06-10) World Bank
    The global economy is facing another substantial headwind, emanating largely from an increase in trade tensions and heightened global policy uncertainty. For emerging market and developing economies (EMDEs), the ability to boost job creation and reduce extreme poverty has declined. Key downside risks include a further escalation of trade barriers and continued policy uncertainty. These challenges are exacerbated by subdued foreign direct investment into EMDEs. Global cooperation is needed to restore a more stable international trade environment and scale up support for vulnerable countries grappling with conflict, debt burdens, and climate change. Domestic policy action is also critical to contain inflation risks and strengthen fiscal resilience. To accelerate job creation and long-term growth, structural reforms must focus on raising institutional quality, attracting private investment, and strengthening human capital and labor markets. Countries in fragile and conflict situations face daunting development challenges that will require tailored domestic policy reforms and well-coordinated multilateral support.
  • Publication
    Digital Progress and Trends Report 2023
    (Washington, DC: World Bank, 2024-03-05) World Bank
    Digitalization is the transformational opportunity of our time. The digital sector has become a powerhouse of innovation, economic growth, and job creation. Value added in the IT services sector grew at 8 percent annually during 2000–22, nearly twice as fast as the global economy. Employment growth in IT services reached 7 percent annually, six times higher than total employment growth. The diffusion and adoption of digital technologies are just as critical as their invention. Digital uptake has accelerated since the COVID-19 pandemic, with 1.5 billion new internet users added from 2018 to 2022. The share of firms investing in digital solutions around the world has more than doubled from 2020 to 2022. Low-income countries, vulnerable populations, and small firms, however, have been falling behind, while transformative digital innovations such as artificial intelligence (AI) have been accelerating in higher-income countries. Although more than 90 percent of the population in high-income countries was online in 2022, only one in four people in low-income countries used the internet, and the speed of their connection was typically only a small fraction of that in wealthier countries. As businesses in technologically advanced countries integrate generative AI into their products and services, less than half of the businesses in many low- and middle-income countries have an internet connection. The growing digital divide is exacerbating the poverty and productivity gaps between richer and poorer economies. The Digital Progress and Trends Report series will track global digitalization progress and highlight policy trends, debates, and implications for low- and middle-income countries. The series adds to the global efforts to study the progress and trends of digitalization in two main ways: · By compiling, curating, and analyzing data from diverse sources to present a comprehensive picture of digitalization in low- and middle-income countries, including in-depth analyses on understudied topics. · By developing insights on policy opportunities, challenges, and debates and reflecting the perspectives of various stakeholders and the World Bank’s operational experiences. This report, the first in the series, aims to inform evidence-based policy making and motivate action among internal and external audiences and stakeholders. The report will bring global attention to high-performing countries that have valuable experience to share as well as to areas where efforts will need to be redoubled.
  • Publication
    Business Ready 2024
    (Washington, DC: World Bank, 2024-10-03) World Bank
    Business Ready (B-READY) is a new World Bank Group corporate flagship report that evaluates the business and investment climate worldwide. It replaces and improves upon the Doing Business project. B-READY provides a comprehensive data set and description of the factors that strengthen the private sector, not only by advancing the interests of individual firms but also by elevating the interests of workers, consumers, potential new enterprises, and the natural environment. This 2024 report introduces a new analytical framework that benchmarks economies based on three pillars: Regulatory Framework, Public Services, and Operational Efficiency. The analysis centers on 10 topics essential for private sector development that correspond to various stages of the life cycle of a firm. The report also offers insights into three cross-cutting themes that are relevant for modern economies: digital adoption, environmental sustainability, and gender. B-READY draws on a robust data collection process that includes specially tailored expert questionnaires and firm-level surveys. The 2024 report, which covers 50 economies, serves as the first in a series that will expand in geographical coverage and refine its methodology over time, supporting reform advocacy, policy guidance, and further analysis and research.
  • Publication
    Global Economic Prospects, January 2025
    (Washington, DC: World Bank, 2025-01-16) World Bank
    Global growth is expected to hold steady at 2.7 percent in 2025-26. However, the global economy appears to be settling at a low growth rate that will be insufficient to foster sustained economic development—with the possibility of further headwinds from heightened policy uncertainty and adverse trade policy shifts, geopolitical tensions, persistent inflation, and climate-related natural disasters. Against this backdrop, emerging market and developing economies are set to enter the second quarter of the twenty-first century with per capita incomes on a trajectory that implies substantially slower catch-up toward advanced-economy living standards than they previously experienced. Without course corrections, most low-income countries are unlikely to graduate to middle-income status by the middle of the century. Policy action at both global and national levels is needed to foster a more favorable external environment, enhance macroeconomic stability, reduce structural constraints, address the effects of climate change, and thus accelerate long-term growth and development.
  • Publication
    The Container Port Performance Index 2023
    (Washington, DC: World Bank, 2024-07-18) World Bank
    The Container Port Performance Index (CPPI) measures the time container ships spend in port, making it an important point of reference for stakeholders in the global economy. These stakeholders include port authorities and operators, national governments, supranational organizations, development agencies, and other public and private players in trade and logistics. The index highlights where vessel time in container ports could be improved. Streamlining these processes would benefit all parties involved, including shipping lines, national governments, and consumers. This fourth edition of the CPPI relies on data from 405 container ports with at least 24 container ship port calls in the calendar year 2023. As in earlier editions of the CPPI, the ranking employs two different methodological approaches: an administrative (technical) approach and a statistical approach (using matrix factorization). Combining these two approaches ensures that the overall ranking of container ports reflects actual port performance as closely as possible while also being statistically robust. The CPPI methodology assesses the sequential steps of a container ship port call. ‘Total port hours’ refers to the total time elapsed from the moment a ship arrives at the port until the vessel leaves the berth after completing its cargo operations. The CPPI uses time as an indicator because time is very important to shipping lines, ports, and the entire logistics chain. However, time, as captured by the CPPI, is not the only way to measure port efficiency, so it does not tell the entire story of a port’s performance. Factors that can influence the time vessels spend in ports can be location-specific and under the port’s control (endogenous) or external and beyond the control of the port (exogenous). The CPPI measures time spent in container ports, strictly based on quantitative data only, which do not reveal the underlying factors or root causes of extended port times. A detailed port-specific diagnostic would be required to assess the contribution of underlying factors to the time a vessel spends in port. A very low ranking or a significant change in ranking may warrant special attention, for which the World Bank generally recommends a detailed diagnostic.