Gaza Strip, September 27, 2023 – A recent study has shed light on the profound mental health implications of prolonged electricity shortages in the Gaza Strip, emphasizing the urgent need for improved access to reliable energy sources in the region.
Conducted by an international research team, led by the University of Birmingham, the study found that extended periods without electricity have led to heightened levels of anxiety and depression among Gaza’s residents. The research, published in the International Journal of Social Psychiatry, highlights the significant impact of energy accessibility on the well-being of the population.
Access to electricity is a crucial component of achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 7, “Affordable and Clean Energy.” However, the Gaza Strip grapples with severe electricity shortages, with residents enduring an average of 11 hours of power outages daily in 2021.
The study surveyed 350 families residing in the Gaza Strip, of which 81% faced intermittent electricity supply. The findings were stark, with 93% of participants reporting moderate to severe levels of anxiety, in stark contrast to the 6% prevalence of anxiety in the general population of Palestine. Moreover, 44% of individuals experienced moderate to severe depression, compared to the 5.6% rate observed in the general population.
Co-author Raya AL-Dadah from the University of Birmingham stressed the gravity of the situation, stating, “We found that electricity issues, particularly when coupled with the existing stressors of life in Gaza, give rise to severe mental health concerns. Urgent attention must be given to developing sustainable, reliable, and affordable energy supplies for both short- and long-term health and community development.”
The research team also noted that energy access, alongside poverty, has a detrimental impact on health in Low- and Middle-income Countries (LMICs). The study underscores the need for immediate action to address the energy crisis in Gaza, not only for the sake of fulfilling sustainable development goals but also for safeguarding the mental well-being of its residents.
