Update on EWB Norway's Humanitarian Project in Gaza

A month ago, we shared information about Engineers Without Borders Norway/Ingeniører Uten Grenser’s (IUG) humanitarian project in Gaza. The project aims to address the devastating impacts on the civilian population caused by the ongoing conflict, focusing on providing essential resources like water, electricity, and healthcare.

We would like to keep you informed about their progress and how their initiatives are making a real difference. Here are some recent updates from EWB Norway:

Recent Updates:

02/05/2024: Engineers Without Borders has joined the “Tech People for Peace in Gaza” campaign. Secretary General Marianne Nilsen Sturmair delivered a speech at a rally on Eidsvolls plass on 7 May. Many organisations attended this event. The initiative comes from tech industry employees advocating for more societal actors to use their voices.

29/04/2024: A programme is being developed to support young people who worked remotely before the conflict. By establishing a shared workspace with basic equipment, solar-powered electricity, and internet access, EWB Norway aims to help restore income sources for freelancers in Rafah.

26/04/2024: Solar panels installed in Rafah are functioning well and providing stable electricity to internally displaced people.

24/04/2024: At EWB Norway's annual General Assembly, it was announced that NITO is supporting the effort with a donation of 100,000 NOK!

"EngineerForGaza is about meeting basic needs like access to drinking water and electricity. Supporting engineering and technology for positive societal development is at the core of NITO's work. Through this initiative by Engineers Without Borders, we can contribute to water systems and solar panels that aid the severely affected population in Gaza. NITO supports the initiative and urges our network to join this concrete effort," said NITO President Trond Markussen.

19/04/2024: Important work to provide electricity in one of the many provisional refugee camps in Rafah has been completed. Watch the video of the installation of solar panels and electrical wiring for lights and phone charging through this link. It is impressive what is being achieved on the ground in Gaza under extremely difficult conditions with very limited access to resources. The funds we collect here in Norway enable us to make a difference together. Warm thanks for all support to #ingeniørdugnad for Gaza

18/04/2024: Feedback indicates that the rehabilitated well is working well and now provides drinking water to even more people as more internally displaced persons have returned to Northern Gaza.

15/04/2024: Great news! The Solar Energy Cluster donates their fees and encourages all participants in the Solar Energy Conference to support #EngineerForGaza.

08/04/2024: Approximately half of Gaza's population has been displaced to Rafah, an area already densely populated before the conflict. Emad, the director of Field Ready Türkiye, confirmed by phone today that the initiative to install solar panels and secure electricity for several refugees in Rafah has begun.

08/04/2024: Multiconsult donates 100,000 NOK to #EngineerForGaza and encourages everyone to contribute to this important work. Thank you very much! This means a lot for the concrete efforts we can make together to help people in desperate need of essential resources.

04/04/2024: We are in regular contact with our engineering colleagues, and depending on the availability of equipment, solar-powered water systems and electricity for other essential uses will be prioritised. Another goal of this specific effort is to ensure that around 500 people in a provisional refugee camp in Rafah have electricity in tents and shelters for light in the dark, as well as charging opportunities for mobile phones.

01/04/2024: The vital work of rehabilitating the well has been completed, and more than 500 families in Northern Gaza City now have access to clean water.

Please get in touch with EWB Norway if you have any questions about their project or would like to support it in some way. Follow the links below for more information >>>