UN Scales Up Winter Aid as Gaza Faces Cold, Rain Challenges

Cold and rainy weather has made some shelters in Gaza uninhabitable.

The UN reports that humanitarian partners in Gaza are scaling up winterisation efforts as cold weather and heavy rain continue to affect displaced Palestinians.

More than 230,000 families—around 1.15 million people—received monthly food parcels between 1 and 27 November through 59 distribution points, including 21 in northern Gaza.

Shelter partners distributed over 8,800 blankets and more than 300 tents, with additional tarpaulins and mattresses expected this week.

Flood risk

Site management teams warn that flooding remains a major concern. Sandbags have been deployed to 41 displacement sites, while cash-for-work teams are reinforcing drainage and collecting empty flour sacks to improve insulation.

On Friday, UN-coordinated aid entering Gaza included dignity kits, menstrual health items, medical supplies, and adolescent kits. However, road damage and limited transport continue to restrict access, especially in the north.

Protection partners reported that gender-based violence services reached 671 women and girls in a single day last week, with new tents allowing safe spaces to reopen after flood damage.

Briefing reporters in New York on Monday, UN Spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric said humanitarian conditions remain extremely dire even as aid operations continue.

Ramiz Alakbarov, Humanitarian Coordinator for the Occupied Palestinian Territory, recently concluded a fact-finding mission to Gaza, stressing the importance of unfettered humanitarian access.

“Meanwhile, our partners leading the health response report that they continue to restore services across the Strip—with 234 health service points now operational, compared to 197 before the ceasefire,” Mr. Dujarric added.

Shelter needs

Shelter needs remain high, with approximately 1.5 million people in urgent need of support.

Over the weekend, 160 high-performance tents arrived in Gaza for learning activities—the largest influx so far. However, stationery and other school supplies are still not being allowed into Gaza, hampering efforts to scale up the response, Mr. Dujarric warned.

Since the fragile truce began, around 123,000 families have received cash assistance, exceeding the target of 120,000 under the 60-day ceasefire plan.