DayofPal– A year has gone by since the unyielding war on Gaza erupted, and many residents now inhabit what they refer to as “tents,” though these barely resemble true shelters. Often crafted from scraps of cloth and nylon, these makeshift homes offer little protection.
As winter approaches, the tents have transformed into a haunting nightmare for the people of Gaza, even before the season officially begins. Recent light rains in early autumn have triggered alarm bells, as tents have flooded, been ripped apart by winds, and revealed their many vulnerabilities.
Compounding this struggle, the prices for materials needed to repair these shelters have surged to alarming heights. According to the Palestinian Information Center, tarps now cost between 400 to 600 shekels (with 1 USD equal to 3.8 shekels), while nylon sheets range from 10 to 30 shekels per meter—prices soaring to ten times their usual rates.
Cold Fraught with Pain
Umm Manal’s life changed forever when an Israeli airstrike killed her husband, the father of her five children, as he stood outside their home in the Nuseirat refugee camp.
Fleeing the relentless shelling near the Netzarim barrier, Umm Manal sought refuge in the town of Al-Zawaida, only to find herself and her children vulnerable in a sprawling and crowded refugee camp.
Through the scorching summer, her family managed to cope up under a flimsy cloth roof, but with winter fast approaching, the prospect of facing its consequences without adequate shelter is terrifying.
“My husband, who was killed, worked for daily wages. Since his death, we’ve had no provider and rely only on food aid from a nearby soup kitchen. But building even a small tent to shield us from the cold and rain seems impossible,” she says as her voice filled with despair.
Recently, heavy rains flooded their meager belongings, forcing them to seek refuge in an overcrowded tent nearby until the storm passed.
Despite her efforts to reach out to various organizations for help in securing a proper tent or materials, she has only encountered empty promises, often dependent on whether Israel will allow aid to flow in.
“I can endure hardship,” she explains, her resilience shining through, “but I wonder if we’ll find any relief from the winter rains and cold in the weeks to come.”
Heavy Costs
Gaza’s Government Media Office (GMO) reported that 100,000 out of 135,000 tents for displaced people have become unusable due to wear and tear.
These tents, made from wood, nylon, and cloth, have deteriorated under the intense sun and harsh climate of Gaza, leaving them completely unfit for use, especially after nearly a year of displacement in inhumane conditions
Abu Mohammed, a father of three sons and four daughters from Rafah, now finds himself living in a cramped 20-square-meter tent crafted from worn cloth and nylon sheets.
As he navigates the bustling market in Deir Al-Balah, he searches for materials to patch up his shelter, bracing for the impending rainstorms and fierce winds.
“Anyone trying to repair or build a tent needs a loan. Everything is so expensive, and with the current situation, there’s no work. We can’t keep up with these prices,” he laments, highlighting the soaring costs that weigh heavily on his shoulders.
Once a construction worker, Abu Mohammed struggled to make ends meet even before the brutal war erupted. With the loss of his job, he now faces the grim reality of relying on sporadic aid, which has dwindled even further due to the Israeli blockade, intensified by the Israeli military offensive in Rafah and the closure of the border crossing.
Each day is a battle for survival, as he fights to provide food for his family amidst overwhelming adversity.
In a prior announcement, UNRWA highlighted the ongoing challenges faced by humanitarian agencies in securing essential supplies.
Despite these obstacles, it assured that once the much-needed materials finally arrive, they will be swiftly distributed to those in urgent need, ensuring timely support for affected communities.
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