Aid agencies are urging Israel to facilitate the entry of tents and essential supplies into Gaza following significant winter rainfall, which has left over 250,000 families in need of emergency shelter. Jan Egeland, Secretary General of the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC), has expressed concern about the likelihood of preventable deaths among vulnerable populations, including children and families.
The ongoing conflict has displaced a substantial portion of the population, with many Gazans currently residing in makeshift tents. As winter storms began, residents faced widespread flooding, raising concerns about potential disease outbreaks due to rainwater mixing with sewage. Some families report losing food supplies, with one woman noting that her tent had filled with water, rendering her belongings unusable.
In response to the urgent situation, the NRC has highlighted that only around 19,000 tents have arrived in Gaza since the recent ceasefire, while an estimated 260,000 families lack adequate winter shelter. Aid organizations have reported that supplies, including 44,000 pallets of non-food items, remain blocked from entry, with some materials stuck in neighboring countries.
Israel’s defense body, Cogat, claims it has coordinated the entry of over 190,000 tents and tarpaulins in recent months, asserting compliance with ceasefire agreements and humanitarian principles. However, issues such as a new registration process for aid groups have created challenges for organizations seeking to deliver support.
There are allegations from locals that many of the tents provided by international agencies have been stolen and appear on the black market at inflated prices. Community members are calling for equitable distribution of shelter supplies to address the immediate needs of those affected. As discussions around long-term reconstruction plans are set to occur at an upcoming international conference, some locals emphasize the immediate necessity for basic shelter over promises of future aid.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c20p3x7vr34o?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss