Despite ongoing efforts by the UN and its partners, needs are outpacing aid delivery, according to Olga Cherevko, OCHA spokesperson in Gaza. “We continue to respond, but the needs exceed the speed with which we can respond,” she stated, noting the limited supplies entering the Gaza Strip and the growing list of items blocked by Israeli authorities, including heavy machinery and repair parts for damaged infrastructure.
Following recent storms that have flooded large areas, humanitarian agencies are prioritizing emergency winterization. An estimated 1.3 million people require shelter assistance. “When the storms came, many people lost everything – it took away everything they owned,” Ms. Cherevko noted.
Humanitarian teams have recently distributed around 3,800 tents, over 4,500 tarpaulins, and thousands of bedding items, assisting about 4,800 families. The intervention also included plastic sheeting, kitchen sets, and short-term food aid to help families immediately after the floods. Local authorities have identified the most flood-prone areas as dangerous, prompting several hundred families to relocate voluntarily. The UN and its partners have supported these efforts by preparing and leveling sites and setting up tents to ensure safety and dignity.
Winter conditions pose serious health risks, especially for infants. “The risks of hypothermia are increased and babies are in great danger,” warned Ms. Cherevko. UN partners are raising awareness among caregivers, including advice on body-to-body contact to keep young children warm. Humanitarian operations also include food assistance, nutritional screening, health service points, and the gradual reopening of learning establishments. In recent days, 13 additional temporary learning spaces have reopened, providing education to around 5,000 children.
However, major constraints remain. Within Gaza, the number of available routes for aid delivery is limited, as are the crossing points for supplies. “There are many cases where humanitarian cargo is no longer prioritized, with preference given to the commercial sector,” Ms. Cherevko said, noting that this causes delays affecting aid delivery speed. Other issues include inconsistent opening and loading times at crossings, restrictions on essential items, and registration requirements preventing NGOs from bringing supplies into Gaza. “All these obstacles must be removed,” she emphasized. “We have the capacity to respond, but we are limited at a time when people’s needs are growing faster than we can meet them.”
UNICEF is distributing winter clothing kits to children in the Gaza Strip as winter storms add to families’ hardship. © UNICEF/Mohammed Nateel
Leave a Reply