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 materials, tarpaulins and reinforced plastic sheeting.

The ministry said the supplies were needed to assist more than 300,000 families facing increasingly difficult living conditions.

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The shelter crisis has been compounded by extensive destruction of residential infrastructure. According to the reported figures, approximately 85 percent of housing units across the Gaza Strip have been completely or partially destroyed, leaving many families without viable alternatives to displacement camps.

Children remain particularly vulnerable to the deteriorating conditions. An estimated 800,000 displaced children are living away from their homes, many in makeshift shelters that offer inadequate protection against winter weather.

The humanitarian crisis has also placed additional pressure on children who have lost family members during the war.

According to the figures cited in the report, approximately 60,000 children in Gaza have lost one or both parents, with some assuming responsibilities for supporting their families while living in displacement.

The combination of inadequate shelter, damaged infrastructure and approaching winter conditions is expected to intensify the difficulties facing displaced Palestinians, particularly children and families without access to secure housing.

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