The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) has issued an urgent appeal for the immediate provision of shelter supplies to Gaza, highlighting the increasingly dire conditions faced by displaced families. With recent heavy rains exacerbating the already critical situation, UNRWA emphasizes that available aid must be allowed to reach those in need.
According to the agency, families are seeking refuge in any available space, including makeshift tents, as the downpour intensifies their hardship. UNRWA underscores that it possesses the necessary shelter supplies and is calling for immediate access to deliver them to the affected population.
The recent adverse weather conditions are expected to have devastating consequences for displaced Gazans. Reports indicate that thousands of tents have been flooded, leaving residents’ belongings soaked and further compounding their suffering, which began with the onset of conflict on October 7, 2023. The conflict has reportedly damaged a significant percentage of residential buildings in the region.
A UN spokesperson has expressed concerns that thousands of displaced families are now fully exposed to harsh weather conditions, raising serious health and safety concerns.
The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) has stated that humanitarian partners are deploying rapid response teams and working to mitigate the impact of the rains. However, OCHA also reports that numerous requests to deliver essential supplies, including tents, insulation, bedding, and kitchen sets, have been denied since the beginning of the ceasefire on October 11.
The agency further warns that the squalid living conditions increase the risk of exposure to explosive ordnance, with children being particularly vulnerable. Some individuals have been injured while collecting firewood, while others are forced to erect tents near potentially hazardous areas due to the lack of safer alternatives. The need for immediate humanitarian assistance, particularly shelter, is critical to alleviate the suffering of displaced families in Gaza. UNRWA continues to advocate for unimpeded access to deliver essential aid and protect the well-being of the affected population.
