In Gaza and across the West Bank, Wattan’s team of citizen journalists is currently challenging mainstream media by focusing on local communities, and raising public awareness of local issues and the need for government responsiveness and accountability.
Since September 2015, the Wattan citizen journalism platform enabled local voices to be heard on a range of issues including: poor sanitation; environmental and health concerns; youth initiatives; sustainable development; and real-life human challenges.
A Peek into the Stories
Over 90% of water un-potable in Gaza
Gaza is facing a water and sanitation crisis with 96 per cent of the fresh water available from the underground aquifer unsafe for human consumption. Over the years, due to continuous over-pumped of Gaza’s main water source, the coastal aquifer, the groundwater has significantly lowered, leading to contamination of the aquifer’s water by seawater seeping in and saline groundwater rising from deeper in the reservoir. A UN report this year has warned that as Gaza’s population increases from 1.6 million to 2.1 million by 2020, the damage to the aquifer will be irreversible and the territory will be uninhabitable.
El Samen valley threatens health and environment
The main wastewater stream in Hebron Governorate flows through Valley El Samen, where sewage flows from Hebron city towards Yatta city. The wastewater flow affects many villages and towns in Hebron Governorate through creating environmental and health problems to the surrounding areas and people in general. Additionally the flood of sewage water degrades the environmental quality of surrounding agricultural lands, since that wastewater flow affects soil quality, polluting and damaging the cultivated crops.
Promoting sustainable water use in south West Bank
The Palestinian Water Authority and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) announced the opening of the new Deir Sha’ar pipeline at a ceremony in Halhoul, north of Hebron. The new pipeline will serve as the backbone of the southern West Bank’s water infrastructure and majority of water reaching the region will flow through it. Deir Sha’ar pipeline improves access to a reliable supply of potable water for 200,000 Palestinians, including residents of Halhoul, Hebron, El-Arrub Camp, Beit Ummar, Bani Naim, and Yatta.
Mohammed's story of drug abuse
Mohammed, 31, was working in construction industry in Israel, when someone convinced him to try some hashish. He used to spend all his monthly salary on drugs (about US $2,000). He has escaped from a drug rehabilitation center several times before he completed a rehab treatment program. According to a Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics study, carried out in 2007 and updated in 2011, there are 80,000 drug users and addicts in the Palestinian territories, including Jerusalem and Gaza Strip.
Palestinian cultural heritage in danger
For over more than a century, Palestinian cultural heritage has been managed by several administrations. Each of these administrations had its own methods of management, protection, research and distinct political purpose, making Palestinian heritage one of the most intensively abused, excavated and disturbed worldwide. Kherebt Qasir is a typical example of such activities. This site was excavated and left without the minimum means of protection.
For over more than a century, Palestinian cultural heritage has been managed by several administrations. Each of these administrations had its own methods of management, protection, research and distinct political purpose, making Palestinian heritage one of the most intensively abused, excavated and disturbed worldwide. Kherebt Qasir is a typical example of such activities. This site was excavated and left without the minimum means of protection.
Hala: A 7-year-old horseback rider
Hala Al Batrawi, 7, is the youngest horseback rider in Palestine. Hala’s performance has transcended her age due to her extensive training and talent. Two years ago Hala joined Al Jawad Equestrian Club in western Gaza city and since then she has been riding and jumping meter-tall obstacles without panic or tension. She recently came in second place in a Gaza Strip competition where all riders were older than her.
Against all odds: Being blind is not an obstacle to help others
Najah Shannan, a 31-year-old woman, is barely able to see after the accident at her work in Hebron. She did not give up and after regaining 10 percent of her eyesight, she decided to help poor and needy people. By being a member of the Peace Center for the Blind and Disability Equality Training Forum in Hebron, Najah can help people with disabilities.
Unique wall art to bring life to ruined areas
Mohammed Hamida, a 36-year-old school teacher from Firoun, a small village next to Tulkarem, draws on the old buildings’ ruined walls. He says that drawing on the ruined walls, makes them look less crushed or deformed. Mohammed believes that his art brings life to ruined areas in his village.
Azoun hospital: Fully equipped, but no medical staff
Since 2011 the citizens of Azoun village in Tulkarem district have been waiting for a hospital to be opened. However, the Palestinian Health Authority has not provided medical staff yet, due to a lack of medical professionals in Palestine.
Using bee stings as an alternative therapy
Many people in Hebron are using naturopathic medicine to treat some illnesses. It is a holistic system that strives to find the cause of disease by understanding the body, mind, and spirit of the person. Naturopaths in Hebron are using bees’ venom in healing diseases that modern medicine could not heal.
Hadeel Al Safadi: The founder of Gaza's animation studio
Hadeel Al Safadi, 24, launched one of Gaza’s first animation studios. She is the first woman from Gaza who has traveled abroad to expand her startup: she courageously went to Jordan to forge partnerships with famous cartoonists there.