The original content of Democracy Now! Headlines appears under the Creative Commons BY-NC-ND 3.0 License (United States). For more, including their other shows and media, visit www.democracynow.org. August 29, 2012 Gaza May Not Be Livable in 2020, Warns United Nations ------------------------------------------------------ The United Nations is warning the Palestinian enclave of Gaza will no longer be livable by 2020 unless urgent steps are taken to improve basics including water supply, power, health and education. U.N. humanitarian coordinator Maxwell Gaylard says Gaza's basic infrastructure has been crippled by the U.S.-backed Israeli occupation and blockade. Maxwell Gaylard: "Action needs to be taken right now on fundamental aspects of live in Gaza, water sanitation, electricity, health and other aspects. Action needs to happen now if Gaza is to be a liveable place in 2020 and it is already difficult now. Despite their best efforts the Palestinians in Gaza still need help. They do, they are under blockade. They are under occupation and they need our help both politically and practically on the ground in the way I described." Eighty percent of Gaza residents rely on aid to survive, and many derive their only income from underground trade. Gaza's water needs are dire and only stand to increase, with its water aquifer becoming potentially unusable by 2016. .