UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs: Winter Storms Affect 65,000 Families, Tents Cannot Be the Only Shelter Option
Al-Gisr – Exclusive
The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reported that winter storms that struck Gaza in December affected 65,000 families, uprooting or damaging displacement tents, collapsing homes under storm pressure, and damaging personal property across multiple locations.
The office added that entire displacement sites were flooded due to inadequate drainage systems and low-lying areas. Relief workers provided support last month to approximately 80,000 families, distributing over 40,000 tents and more than 135,000 plastic sheets. Nearly 115,000 additional items were also distributed, including mattresses and blankets.
Shelter partners emphasized that tents cannot serve as the primary or sole housing solution in Gaza, as they provide only temporary protection. They stressed the urgent need to transition to more sustainable solutions, including repairing damaged homes. At the same time, they warned of insufficient land for families seeking to relocate to less flood-prone areas.
OCHA noted continued progress in expanding the humanitarian response despite ongoing obstacles. However, the recent storms have undone some gains achieved during the ceasefire period, leaving over one million people in Gaza still in urgent need of shelter assistance.
The storms also damaged temporary learning spaces and roads used by relief workers to deliver urgently needed supplies.
In another development, the office reported that last week they completed the delivery of pre-stored security communications equipment from Jerusalem, which had been awaiting approval to enter Gaza since August 2024. While this is crucial for enhancing humanitarian operational safety, other equipment, including basic energy supply solutions, remains prohibited from entry.
