Gaza needs 200,000 tents and 200,000 tarpaulins for winter

A reported 2.1 million people in Gaza need protection and humanitarian aid throughout winter, while 200,000 tents and 200,000 tarpaulins are required to meet urgent shelter needs. Speaking at a press conference in Ramallah, Hamed said 30% of aid and shelter supplies sent to the territory were being held at border crossings because of restrictions imposed by Israel.

According to figures shared by Hamed, more than 1,760,000 people, representing 84% of Gaza’s population, are living in overcrowded displacement sites. More than 65% of displaced families are staying in tents and temporary shelters, while more than 300,000 families lack adequate protection against cold and rain.

Flood risks at shelter sites and infrastructure repair needs

Hamed said more than 1,600 displacement sites in Gaza were at risk of flooding and inundation, and that 80% of the water infrastructure needed repairs. According to Hamed, more than 370,000 homes have been destroyed or damaged in Israeli attacks.

Hamed said aid was not reaching the territory at the speed or in the quantities needed, and called for building materials required for reconstruction to be allowed in alongside winter supplies.

Warning over damaged buildings and health services

Münir el-Burş, Director-General of Gaza’s Ministry of Health, reported that around 2,000 buildings damaged in the attacks were at risk of collapse. Burş said families unable to find alternative shelter or tents were forced to remain in these buildings despite the danger.

Burş also said rainwater mixing with wastewater was increasing the risk of disease, while fuel shortages and entry restrictions were disrupting ambulance services. He called for permanent shelter solutions and for humanitarian aid and reconstruction materials to be allowed in.