Deir al-balah: The Government Operations Room for Emergency Interventions in the Gaza Strip, managed by the Ministry of Public Works and Housing, has commenced the construction of the first shelter center made from locally manufactured tents in Deir al-Balah, central Gaza.
According to Palestine News and Information Agency - WAFA, this initiative addresses the needs of displaced families residing in areas at risk of flooding as winter approaches, especially along Al-Rashid Street and the Sahen Al-Biraka area. These locations face significant threats from accumulated rainwater and potential flash floods.
The project follows an emergency appeal by the Government Operations Room to provide shelter for families in flood-prone regions. It is supported by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and involves cooperation with the Ministry of National Economy, the Ministry of Local Government, and the Palestinian Water Authority. The aim is to deliver emergency shelters that safeguard families from flood dangers and cold weather.
This center is notable for being the first to use locally produced tents and is expected to accommodate around 70 families upon completion in the coming days. Plans are underway to establish additional shelter centers in collaboration with local and international partners, forming part of a comprehensive strategy that identifies 294 potential temporary shelter sites throughout the Gaza Strip.
The project emerges amid dire humanitarian conditions with thousands of displaced families suffering as winter looms. The Gaza Strip requires over 300,000 tents to adequately shelter affected populations. Persistent Israeli restrictions on the import of essential shelter materials exacerbate the residents' plight, necessitating urgent local solutions.
The Government Operations Room for Emergency Interventions continues to work with partner ministries and national, international, and UN institutions to deliver urgent humanitarian aid. These efforts aim to protect displaced families and ensure the provision of vital services amidst the severe conditions facing the population in the Strip.
