Heavy seasonal downpours are worsening an already dire humanitarian situation, as torrential rains cause war-damaged buildings to collapse, flood tents and soak people’s belongings, OCHA said.
To respond quickly to flood warnings, a coordinated system of UN agencies and non-governmental organizations is distributing tents, tarpaulins, warm clothing, blankets and dignity kits across Gaza.
The UN and its partners are also mobilizing heavy equipment to remove overflowing sewage – which poses serious health risks – away from residential areas. OCHA warned that these conditions increased the risk of hypothermia, particularly in babies, as well as illnesses linked to sewage flooding.
Separately, humanitarian teams are helping hundreds of newly displaced people from the At Tufah neighborhood in Gaza City, where ongoing military operations have forced many residents to flee.
People who remain or have returned to the As Sanafour neighborhood in At Tufah – often due to a lack of space elsewhere – report significant difficulties accessing water, food and basic services.
Rescue operations continue
Other relief operations under the UN-coordinated humanitarian ceasefire plan continue.
Between December 23 and 26, partners working in water, sanitation and hygiene distributed tens of thousands of dignity kits, hygiene kits and shampoo bottles across Gaza, reaching some 150,000 people in need, according to OCHA.
As of Sunday, partners fighting food insecurity had reached more than a million people – about half of Gaza’s population – through 60 distribution points with December’s monthly general food aid.
At the same time, humanitarian partners distributed veterinary kits and animal feed to more than 2,000 families with livestock between December 9 and 26, helping to support local production and reduce dependence on aid.
Originally published at Almouwatin.com
