Gaza:Taysir Muheisen, advisor to the Government Media Office in the Gaza Strip, has highlighted the escalating humanitarian crisis affecting hundreds of thousands of displaced individuals as winter approaches. He emphasized the urgent need for 260,000 new tents to replace the worn-out ones, as more than 2,000 homes are at risk of collapsing due to adverse weather conditions.
According to Palestine Info Center, Muheisen stated in a press release on Saturday that recent weather conditions, including rain and strong winds, have exacerbated the dire situation for the displaced. Many tents have been flooded or uprooted, leaving thousands of families facing harsh conditions at the start of winter.
Muheisen explained that the tents, used in displacement camps for nearly three years, have deteriorated and are unable to withstand the elements, making new tents a critical necessity to protect families from the risk of homelessness, flooding, and cold.
He further noted that the lack of adequate housing alternatives and restrictions on supplies has forced many families into unsafe, damaged buildings. Over 2,000 homes have been identified as at risk of collapse, posing a direct threat to residents, particularly in severe weather.
Muheisen pointed out that displaced individuals face a difficult choice between staying in inadequate tents or seeking refuge in damaged homes that could collapse, highlighting the severe shelter crisis in the region.
In response to the situation, government bodies, including the Civil Defense Service and relief agencies, have been calling for the entry of essential equipment to fortify camps and manage water accumulation. Muheisen stressed the need for pumps and equipment to prevent rainwater and sewage flooding, which exacerbates health risks in the overcrowded camps.
He warned that without intervention to allow the entry of tents, equipment, and pumps, the humanitarian disaster is likely to worsen with upcoming weather challenges. Urgent relief efforts are necessary to ensure safe shelter and meet the basic needs of the displaced population.
Source Palestine Info Center