Winter storms upended thousands in Gaza

“Tents were blown away or damaged, homes collapsed under storm conditions, and personal belongings were soaked,” according to its latest update. 

“In several locations, entire displacement sites were flooded due to inadequate drainage and low-lying terrain.” 

The storms also damaged temporary learning spaces and roads used to bring much-needed supplies into Gaza, where humanitarian efforts continue. 

Better shelter options needed

During December, aid workers supported some 80,000 families, providing more than 40,000 tents, over 135,000 tarpaulins, and thousands of other items including mattresses and blankets. 

UN partners working in the shelter sector stressed, however, that “tents cannot serve as the primary and sole shelter modality in Gaza, as they provide only temporary cover.” 

They highlighted the urgent need to accelerate the shift to more durable solutions, including repairs to partially damaged homes.  

Lack of land

They also warned that “lack of land availability is preventing relocation and delaying the scale-up of viable shelter solutions.”  

Furthermore, recent rainstorms have offset some of the gains made during the ceasefire that came into effect in October, and an estimated one million people across the devastated enclave still require urgent emergency shelter assistance. 

Meanwhile, partners working to improve emergency telecommunications reported that last week they finalized the delivery of new equipment to improve radio coverage that had been pre-positioned in Jerusalem awaiting Israeli approval to enter Gaza since August 2024.  

OCHA noted that while this development is critical to strengthen the safety of humanitarian operations, other equipment – including key power-supply solutions – continue to be blocked from entering the Strip.