OCHA warns Gaza faces massive shelter crisis amid winter
Note: AI technology was used to generate this article’s audio.
- UN OCHA says nearly 1.9 million people in Gaza urgently need shelter.
- Severe winter and Israeli destruction worsen humanitarian crisis, especially for children.
The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said the need for shelter in Gaza is “extremely high,” with nearly 1.9 million people requiring accommodation or improvements to their living conditions.
OCHA spokesperson Olga Cherifko said Sunday that the figure reflects widespread destruction and mass displacement caused by the ongoing 'Israeli' war on Gaza. “Our office, together with partners, is trying to respond to these huge needs, even though current capacities are far below what is required,” she said.
Read more: ‘Israel’ opens bomb shelters amid US tensions with Iran
Cherifko highlighted that deaths caused by severe cold, particularly among young children and infants, represent one of the most tragic aspects of the current humanitarian situation. “The loss of children due to low temperatures is extremely regrettable and reflects the harsh conditions residents are living under,” she said, noting that this winter has been exceptionally severe.
She stressed that these deaths could have been prevented if adequate heating and proper shelter had been available. Humanitarian organizations face major challenges in delivering support due to restrictions on essential supplies, including the need for heavy machinery to clear rubble and materials for building and shelter, much of which remains blocked from entering Gaza.
Read more: Ali Shaath officially launches Gaza committee to oversee reconstruction
Recent storms have destroyed tens of thousands of displacement tents and caused previously damaged buildings to collapse. According to Gaza’s media office, Israeli military actions have damaged or destroyed 90 percent of civilian infrastructure in the territory, intensifying the shelter crisis.
Cherifko emphasized that UN agencies and humanitarian organizations will continue working in Gaza despite severe constraints, reaffirming their commitment to support the population in need.
