United Nations, Nov 15: The United Nations said heavy rains have flooded thousands of displaced families in Gaza, prompting humanitarian agencies to deploy rapid response teams and expand emergency shelter support. The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) warned that the sudden flooding has severely worsened living conditions for already vulnerable communities.
OCHA said the rains caused widespread damage to personal belongings and left many displaced families fully exposed to harsh winter weather, heightening health and protection risks particularly for older people, persons with disabilities, and other vulnerable groups.
Humanitarian partners reported that essential flood prevention equipment such as tools to drain water from tented areas and to clear solid waste and rubble is not available in Gaza. Millions of urgently needed shelter items, including tents and tarpaulins, remain stuck in Jordan, Egypt, and Israel, awaiting clearance.
According to OCHA, since the October 10 ceasefire, Israeli authorities have rejected 23 requests from nine humanitarian partners attempting to bring nearly 4,000 pallets of critical relief supplies into Gaza. These include tents, bedding, sealing kits, blankets, kitchen sets and other basic necessities. In most cases, requests were turned down because the submitting NGOs were not registered to deliver aid in Gaza.
Emergency assistance underway
Despite the restrictions, shelter partners distributed 1,000 tents in Deir al-Balah and Khan Younis on Thursday. Between Sunday and Wednesday, humanitarian teams provided:
7,000 blankets to over 1,800 households
15,000 tarpaulins to more than 3,700 households
Winter clothing to over 500 households
Rising risk from explosive hazards
OCHA warned that worsening living conditions are increasing exposure to explosive ordnance, especially among children. Some people have been injured while collecting firewood, while others are forced to pitch tents near areas suspected of containing unexploded remnants because they have no safer alternatives.
Since the ceasefire, mine-action partners have recorded more than 10 injuries from explosive hazards. With Gaza’s small geographic size, avoiding contaminated zones is increasingly difficult.
Humanitarian partners have responded to over 70 explosive hazard assessment requests, supported 32 inter agency missions, and delivered risk education sessions to more than 49,000 people across Gaza.
The UN Mine Action Service said it could scale up operations significantly once teams receive access to detectors, spare parts, and essential equipment needed to safely dispose of explosive remnants.