Gaza:The Gaza Center for Human Rights has issued a call for the immediate and unconditional opening of Gaza's crossings to facilitate the entry of essential shelter supplies. This plea comes as hundreds of thousands of displaced Palestinians face increasing dangers due to heavy stormwater inundating their tents, exacerbating an ongoing shelter crisis that has persisted for four consecutive winters.
According to Qatar News Agency, the center expressed deep concern in a statement about the flooding of displaced families' tents across various parts of the Gaza enclave. The statement highlighted the damage caused by heavy rainfall, which has soaked bedding, blankets, and personal belongings, revealing the continued deprivation faced by Palestinians more than three years after the onset of Israel's war of annihilation.
The statement further warned of the flooding of tents around Gaza Port, Deir Al-Balah, Nuseirat refugee camp, Jabalia, Beit Lahia, and Khan Younis. The ongoing shelter crisis has been worsened by Israel's blockade on the entry of tents and materials needed for repairing homes and establishing safer housing options. The center noted that this has left displaced people vulnerable to rain and cold in inadequately protected tents, with no viable options to relocate to safer areas.
Highlighting the gap between needs and resources, the center pointed to UN humanitarian data, which indicates that approximately 294,250 families require shelter assistance ahead of winter. However, current supplies can only partially assist around 52,000 families, representing just 18 percent of those in need. The statement added that nearly 1.98 million people require shelter assistance and non-food items, with more than 65 percent of displaced families living in tents and temporary shelters.
The statement also emphasized the expanding danger zone, as around 950,000 Palestinians reside in locations facing medium to high flood risks. The absence of safe housing alternatives and the inability to carry out necessary repairs further heighten the risks faced by residents of damaged buildings as winter conditions worsen.
The center's statement concluded with a call to the international community, the United Nations, and humanitarian organizations to pressure Israel to permit the entry of essential supplies. They also advocated for the evacuation of families from flood-threatened locations to safe shelters equipped with basic health, privacy, and protection standards. The center underscored the urgency of interventions to dry out displacement sites, drain accumulated stormwater, and ensure vulnerable families receive necessary winter supplies.
Source Qatar News Agency