Gaza Herald – UNRWA reported that harsh weather in Gaza worsened an already dire humanitarian crisis, putting hundreds of thousands at immediate risk. Heavy rain, floods, and failing shelter infrastructure left thousands of displaced families exposed.
Agency spokesperson Adnan Abu Hasna said tens of thousands of tents had entered Gaza after the ceasefire, but they covered only a fraction of the needs. He warned that hundreds of thousands more were urgently required, as many existing tents were made of cloth or plastic and could not withstand winds or storms.
Abu Hasna noted that sewage-contaminated water flooded many camps, especially in sandy areas and near the coast. Thousands of tents were set up just meters from the shoreline, leaving families vulnerable to rising tides and waves.
The humanitarian disaster extended beyond shelter. Abu Hasna reported severe shortages in medical supplies, laboratory equipment, and essential medications. Patients faced worsening conditions, with water contamination, malnutrition, and outbreaks of intestinal disease.
UNRWA revealed that thousands of trucks carrying food, tents, blankets, and clothing were waiting at borders in Egypt and Jordan. Supplies could feed the population for three months and provide shelter for more than 1.3 million people, but delivery had been delayed.
Abu Hasna stressed that the crisis could push Gaza “back to square one.” He urged the immediate entry of full humanitarian aid packages, including shelters, specialized medicines, medical devices, and laboratory equipment, to stabilize the health system and save lives.
