Winter rains deepen Gaza’s humanitarian crisis as displaced families face severe shelter shortages

The return of winter rains is worsening humanitarian conditions in the Gaza Strip, where widespread destruction, repeated displacement and shortages of adequate shelter have left hundreds of thousands of Palestinians exposed to cold weather and flooding. According to figures compiled by Arabi21 from government authorities and United Nations agencies, many displaced families are living in deteriorating tents or damaged buildings that provide little protection against rain and falling temperatures. Field assessments indicate that more than 162,000 of approximately 270,000 tents in Gaza have become worn out or completely unusable because of prolonged use and exposure to harsh weather. Gaza’s Ministry of Social Development has called for the urgent provision of 200,000 weather-resistant tents and 300,000 shelter kits, including thermal insulation […]