Heavy rainfall has flooded displacement camps and shelters across the Gaza Strip. Hundreds of thousands of Palestinians are facing even worse living conditions. The United Nations and Palestinian groups are calling for urgent supplies, including winter clothes, tents, shelter materials and heavy equipment.
The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) warned on Saturday that floods have put many families at risk. Many people are living in damaged buildings and areas that are likely to flood. Aid organisations are also struggling to help people because of a serious shortage of essential supplies.
According to OCHA, most of Gaza’s 2.1 million residents have been forced to leave their homes. Many are living in damaged and weak tents that cannot properly protect them from rain and cold weather.
The UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) said that 1.98 million people, nearly 94% of Gaza’s population, need shelter and other basic supplies. This shows how serious the humanitarian crisis has become as winter approaches.
OCHA said aid teams have started distributing emergency supplies to affected families. However, the available supplies are not enough to meet the growing needs.
The UN agency has called for the immediate delivery of winter supplies, heavy machinery, engine oil and spare parts. These items are needed to keep aid vehicles and generators working and to support emergency operations.
OCHA also warned that months of restrictions and a lack of funding have badly affected preparations for winter. As a result, displaced families living in low-lying areas and crowded tent camps are at greater risk from heavy rain and cold weather.