Gaza Strip – Thousands of internally displaced persons (IDPs) in the Gaza Strip are struggling to find safe shelter as colder weather approaches, the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) warned on Wednesday. The situation is compounded by the ongoing crisis in the region.
In a statement, UNRWA highlighted the dire conditions faced by displaced families. “Thousands of forcibly displaced people in the Gaza Strip are struggling to find safe shelter in preparation for the coming cold weather,” the agency stated. They added that many have no option but to erect makeshift tents, emphasizing the continued need for shelter materials.
Currently, more than 79,000 displaced individuals reside in 85 UNRWA-managed shelters across the Gaza Strip. Humanitarian conditions are steadily deteriorating as winter nears, raising concerns about the well-being of vulnerable populations.
The Spokesperson for the UN Secretary-General, Stephane Dujarric, has previously cautioned that displaced Palestinian families in Gaza face a significant risk of flooding in inadequate shelters. He emphasized that residents are “extremely vulnerable” to adverse weather conditions. Dujarric also noted that ongoing restrictions continue to hinder the entry of vital aid and obstruct the operations of relief organizations.
Recent heavy rains caused severe flooding in multiple camps located in the Al-Mawasi area of Khan Yunis, southern Gaza Strip, prompting warnings of an impending humanitarian catastrophe. The need for increased support and resources for displaced Gazans is now more critical than ever.
