Severe Weather Affects Gaza Amid Ongoing Humanitarian Response

Severe Weather Conditions in Gaza

In the last 24 hours, severe weather conditions have led to new casualties and increased health risks in Gaza, according to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA). Seasonal heavy rains complicate an already dire humanitarian situation, with storms causing the collapse of war-damaged buildings, flooding in tents, and the soaking of personal belongings.

Humanitarian Response

In response to urgent flood alerts, a coordinated system bringing together UN agencies and non-governmental organizations is distributing tents, tarpaulins, warm clothing, blankets, and dignity kits throughout Gaza. The UN and its partners are also mobilizing heavy equipment to evacuate wastewater that poses serious health risks in residential areas.

Health Risks

OCHA has warned that the conditions have heightened the risk of hypothermia, particularly among infants, as well as illnesses related to flooding with contaminated water. Additionally, humanitarian teams are assisting hundreds of people recently displaced from the At Tufah neighborhood in Gaza City, where ongoing military operations have forced many residents to flee.

Those remaining in the As Sanafour area of At Tufah—often due to lack of space elsewhere—report significant difficulties in accessing water, food, and basic services.

Continuation of Aid Operations

Humanitarian operations continue under the UN-coordinated ceasefire plan. Between December 23 and 26, partners working in water, sanitation, and hygiene sent tens of thousands of dignity kits, hygiene kits, and shampoo bottles across Gaza, reaching around 150,000 people in need. By Sunday, partners addressing food insecurity had reached over one million people—approximately half of Gaza's population—through 60 distribution points with general food assistance for the month of December. Simultaneously, humanitarian partners distributed veterinary kits and animal feed to over 2,000 families with animals between December 9 and 26, supporting local production and reducing reliance on aid.