DaysofPal- Renewed winter storms in the Gaza Strip are exacerbating an already catastrophic humanitarian situation, leaving hundreds of thousands of displaced people exposed to cold, rain, and worsening living conditions, the United Nations has warned.
Briefing reporters in New York, UN Spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric said ongoing rainstorms are damaging and destroying fragile shelters across the enclave, where most displaced families are living in makeshift tents ill-equipped to withstand harsh weather.
In an effort to meet urgent shelter needs, humanitarian partners delivered assistance to around 28,000 families over the past week, including 1,600 tents, 16,000 tarpaulins, and 27,000 blankets. However, these measures remain far from sufficient. At least 1.1 million people are still in urgent need of assistance as weather conditions continue to deteriorate.
A new storm on Friday once again battered temporary shelters, leaving thousands without protection. UN teams and partner organizations are conducting damage assessments and providing support to the most vulnerable, but aid workers emphasize that tents can only serve as a short-term solution.
Mr. Dujarric stressed the urgent need for more durable responses, including the provision of tool kits, cement, and heavy machinery to clear debris. He also highlighted the necessity of sustained funding to allow a shift from emergency relief toward early recovery efforts.
Children are bearing a disproportionate share of the impact. Health partners reported that another infant has reportedly died from hypothermia, raising the total number of such deaths to four, all of them very young children, according to figures from the Ministry of Health.
Since the ceasefire and through the end of the year, humanitarian agencies have distributed more than 310,000 winter clothing kits for children and over 112,000 pairs of shoes as part of winterization efforts. In addition, 150 specialized tents have been installed across Gaza to serve as child-friendly and safe spaces.
The nutritional situation is also alarming. Last month alone, nutrition partners screened more than 76,000 children and identified approximately 4,900 cases of acute malnutrition, including over 820 cases classified as severe. This brings the total number of acute malnutrition cases recorded in 2025 to nearly 95,000.
As storms persist and living conditions
worsen, the UN continues to warn that without increased support and longer-term solutions, Gaza’s humanitarian crisis will deepen further, with children remaining among the most vulnerable.
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