Heavy rains have flooded thousands of displaced families across the Gaza Strip, worsening already dire living conditions and heightening health and protection risks, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said on Friday.

OCHA reported that the downpours damaged tents and personal belongings, leaving families fully exposed to the cold and wet conditions. The impact is especially severe for older persons, people with disabilities and other vulnerable groups.

Humanitarian partners warned that effective flood prevention is nearly impossible without essential equipment, including pumps and tools to clear rubble and solid waste, which is currently unavailable in Gaza. OCHA added that millions of urgently needed shelter supplies remain stuck in Jordan, Egypt and Israel pending approval for entry.

Since the Oct. 10 ceasefire, Israeli authorities have rejected 23 requests from nine humanitarian partners to bring nearly 4,000 pallets of critical shelter items into Gaza. Most rejections cited restrictions on non-governmental organizations not formally authorized to deliver aid.

Despite limited resources, shelter partners distributed 1,000 tents in Deir al-Balah and Khan Younis on Thursday. Between Sunday and Wednesday, they provided 7,000 blankets, 15,000 tarpaulins, and winter clothing to thousands of affected households.

OCHA also warned that worsening conditions are increasing exposure to explosive ordnance, particularly for children. Some residents have been injured while gathering firewood, while others have been forced to pitch tents near areas suspected of contamination due to lack of safer options.

Since the ceasefire, partners working on mine action have recorded more than 10 explosive-related injuries. Limited land and widespread debris further complicate efforts to avoid hazardous zones.

Mine action teams have responded to over 70 requests for explosive hazard assessments, supported 32 inter-agency missions, and delivered risk education sessions to more than 49,000 people across Gaza. The UN Mine Action Service said it could scale up operations significantly once granted access to detectors, spare parts, and disposal equipment.

Source: Xinhua