BEGIN:VCALENDAR PRODID:-//Columba Systems Ltd//NONSGML CPNG/SpringViewer/ICal Output/3.3- M3//EN VERSION:2.0 CALSCALE:GREGORIAN METHOD:PUBLISH BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP:20261026T153607Z DTSTART:20261125T163000Z DTEND:20261125T180000Z SUMMARY:GDI Lecture: Changing Access Mechanisms to Safe Drinking Water in the West Bank after the Gaza War UID:{http://www.columbasystems.com/customers/uom/gpp/eventid/}fel-mvpf5hr u-i3vmxc DESCRIPTION:The water crisis in the West Bank has evolved beyond the scar city of natural resources into a deeper crisis of access\, distribution\ , and control. Since the outbreak of the Gaza war in October 2023\, Pale stinians in the West Bank have faced increasingly difficult conditions i n securing safe drinking water\, driven by intensified movement restrict ions\, military operations\, damage to water infrastructure\, disruption s to maintenance\, and constraints on water resource development. These conditions have transformed the everyday mechanisms through which househ olds obtain drinking water. In some communities\, residents have become increasingly dependent on purchasing water delivered by tankers\, storin g water in household reservoirs\, or seeking alternative sources during interruptions to public supply networks. Consequently\, access to drinki ng water is no longer determined solely by the availability of household connections\, but also by purchasing power\, road accessibility\, tanke r mobility\, and the operational continuity of wells and pumping station s. Rural\, Bedouin\, and geographically isolated communities face partic ularly severe challenges\, where road closures or the disruption of a si ngle water source can jeopardize essential household supplies.\n\nBeyond its economic implications\, this changing water landscape raises profou nd concerns regarding public health\, environmental justice\, and human security. Reduced water consumption and reliance on potentially unsafe s ources increase exposure to waterborne diseases\, while rising water cos ts disproportionately burden vulnerable households. This study conceptua lizes the post-October 2023 transformation of water access in the West B ank as a crisis of water security\, infrastructure resilience\, and equi table resource governance. It highlights the urgent need to protect wate r infrastructure\, ensure safe and uninterrupted access to water sources and distribution networks\, strengthen water-quality monitoring\, and p romote affordable\, sustainable alternatives. Ultimately\, access to saf e drinking water is not merely a technical service\; it is a fundamental human right and an indispensable condition for public health\, dignity\ , and Palestinian resilience.\n\nCo-organised with GDI Students for Pale stine and in memory of member Hamid Khalafallah\, who passed away last A pril. \n\nBio:\n\nProf. Dr. Marwan Ghanem is a Professor of Hydrogeology and Chair of the Department of Geography and GeoInformatics at Birzeit University\, Palestine. He holds a Ph.D. in Hydrogeology and Hydrochemis try from TU Bergakademie Freiberg\, Germany.\n\nProf. Ghanem has extensi ve experience in both academic and research activities. Prior to joining the academic sector\, he worked in the NGO sector\, which provided him with practical experience in environmental management\, water resources\ , and community-based development. His research and professional activit ies encompass water resources\, food security\, environmental management \, and multidisciplinary projects at both national and international lev els. \n\nHis scientific expertise covers surface water and groundwater s ystems\, with particular emphasis on their quantitative and qualitative characteristics. His research includes hydrogeology\, hydrochemistry\, g roundwater resources assessment and management\, hydrology\, water quali ty\, environmental assessment\, and the interactions between water\, lan d\, climate\, and ecosystems. \n STATUS:TENTATIVE TRANSP:TRANSPARENT CLASS:PUBLIC LOCATION:G32\, Humanities Bridgeford Street\, Manchester END:VEVENT END:VCALENDAR