Gaza Herald- At a press briefing in New York, UN spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric warned that persistent rainstorms are worsening already dire conditions in Gaza, damaging makeshift shelters and exposing displaced families to harsh cold.
In response, humanitarian partners have distributed essential shelter items, such as tents, tarps, and blankets, to around 28,000 families over the past week. Yet, at least 1.1 million people are still in urgent need of support as winter weather sets in.
A new storm on Friday destroyed many temporary shelters, leaving thousands without cover. UN teams stressed that tents are not a long-term solution and emphasized the need for durable alternatives, including construction tools, concrete, debris-clearing machinery, and sustained funding to move from emergency aid to early recovery.
Children remain among the most vulnerable. Health partners reported the death of another infant from hypothermia, raising the number of young children who have died from cold-related causes to four, according to Gaza’s Ministry of Health.
Since the ceasefire, humanitarian organizations have delivered over 310,000 winter clothing sets and 112,000 pairs of shoes to children. They’ve also established 150 child-safe spaces across Gaza.
Nutrition efforts screened over 76,000 children last month, identifying nearly 4,900 cases of acute malnutrition, including more than 820 classified as severe. The total number of malnutrition cases in 2025 now nears 95,000.
