UN and partners’ efforts face challenges as needs surge beyond the speed of aid delivery, reports Olga Cherevko, an OCHA spokesperson in Gaza.
“We keep responding, yet the demands surpass our response rate,” she explained, citing restricted supply entry and a growing list of items blocked by Israeli authorities, including essential equipment for repairing damaged infrastructure.
Recent severe storms have led humanitarian agencies to focus on emergency winterisation efforts. An estimated 1.3 million people require shelter assistance.
“The storms destroyed everything people had,” Ms. Cherevko noted.
Tents, Tarpaulins, and Bedding
Aid teams have distributed approximately 3,800 tents, over 4,500 tarpaulins, and thousands of bedding items, aiding some 4,800 families in recent days.
Assistance has included plastic sheeting, cooking sets, and short-term food aid to support families immediately after the floods.
Some flood-prone areas have been deemed unsafe by local authorities, causing several hundred families to relocate. The UN and partners have facilitated these moves by preparing sites and setting up tents to ensure safety and dignity.
Risk of Hypothermia
Winter poses serious health risks, especially for infants. “The risk of hypothermia is heightened, placing babies in significant danger,” Ms. Cherevko cautioned.
UN partners are educating caregivers, offering guidance on maintaining warmth for young children through body contact.
Humanitarian operations extend beyond shelter, including food assistance, nutrition screening, health points, and reopening educational facilities. Recently, 13 more temporary learning spaces have reopened, serving about 5,000 children.
Challenges remain, with limited routes for aid transport and restricted supply entry points into Gaza.
Delays at Crossings
“Humanitarian cargo is often deprioritised in favor of commercial interests,” Ms. Cherevko noted, highlighting delays affecting aid delivery speed.
Additional obstacles include inconsistent crossing times, item restrictions, and registration requirements hindering NGOs from delivering supplies to Gaza.
“These barriers must be removed,” she emphasized. “We can respond effectively, but constraints limit us amidst growing needs.”
UNICEF distributes winter clothing kits to children throughout the Gaza Strip, as winter storms exacerbate family hardships.
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