The UN migration agency warned that nearly all of Gaza's population requires shelter assistance ahead of winter, with the El Niño phenomenon expected to bring heavier rainfall and potential flooding. Humanitarian actors have only met about 17% of the needs for winter shelter supplies, hampered by Israeli restrictions on the entry of essential materials.
The humanitarian situation in Gaza is deteriorating, with a critical shortage of shelter supplies exacerbated by weather risks and access restrictions, potentially leading to increased displacement and suffering for a population already devastated by conflict.
The UN migration agency warned on Friday that nearly all of Gaza's population requires shelter assistance as winter approaches, with the El Niño weather phenomenon expected to bring heavier rainfall and potential flooding. The International Organization for Migration (IOM) stated that constraints imposed by Israeli authorities are hindering efforts to scale up responses, with only about 17% of the needs for winter shelter supplies met by humanitarian actors.
IOM Director General Amy Pope emphasized the need for displaced families to face winter in safety and dignity. She noted that some 8,600 emergency shelter kits, including tarpaulins and basic materials, have been denied entry into Gaza by Israeli authorities who cited security concerns and deemed them dual-use. While the IOM has managed to bring in some tarpaulin and tents, the quantity is insufficient for the current scale of need.
The agency also highlighted that over half of the existing tents and makeshift shelters in the enclave are in poor condition and require replacement. War-damaged buildings pose safety risks, with more than 3,600 structures identified in August as dangerous and at risk of collapse. Approximately 1.8 million people are living in displacement sites, many of which are in flood-risk areas.
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