Gaza City:Ramallah The United Nations has issued a stark warning about the worsening humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip, where thousands of Palestinian families have been displaced due to severe weather conditions. Heavy rain and strong winds have led to flooding, building collapses, and service disruptions across all five governorates of Gaza.
According to Wam, an infant has tragically drowned, and five other residents, including three children, were killed when a sand dune collapsed on their tents amidst the first heavy rains of the season. The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) provided these updates on Monday, highlighting the dire conditions faced by those in the affected areas.
UN Deputy Special Coordinator Ramiz Alakbarov, speaking from Ramallah, emphasized the need for enhanced protection for vulnerable populations. He pointed out that many Gazans are living in deteriorating tents that are unable to withstand moderate storms, which exacerbates the risk of injuries and fatalities.
Efforts are underway by the UN and its partners to mitigate the impact of the storms. These include water pumping, drainage improvements, site reinforcement with sandbags, shelter repairs, and the distribution of emergency supplies. However, the availability of essential humanitarian materials such as tents, tarpaulins, blankets, and clothing is critically low within Gaza.
Alakbarov stressed the urgency of lifting restrictions that hinder the delivery of necessary aid. These restrictions currently prevent the entry of equipment and materials such as vacuum trucks, dewatering pumps, heavy machinery, and winter essentials, which are crucial for relief efforts.
The situation remains tense as strikes continue to affect densely populated areas. UN personnel visiting a displacement site in Gaza City on Saturday were forced to seek shelter when nearby gunfire erupted, further illustrating the precarious conditions on the ground.