Over one million Gazans face winter without adequate shelter, Norwegian Refugee Council cries out
Reuters
As winter approaches, over one million Palestinians in Gaza face harsh conditions without sufficient shelter, the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) has warned.
With colder temperatures and rainy weather imminent, the situation is dire for those displaced by ongoing Israeli attacks.
According to the NRC, the destruction of buildings has left most Gazans reliant on makeshift shelters and tents, which provide little protection against the elements.
Many families have resorted to sewing together old rice sacks to create a barrier between themselves and the open sky.
“Some have sewn together old rice sacks to ensure they have something, at least, between them and the sky,” said Alison Ely, the NRC’s shelter specialist in Gaza.
“When winter comes, these shelters will not keep them safe from strong winds, heavy rains, and cold temperatures.”
The council highlighted that winter temperatures in Gaza can drop to as low as 6 degrees Celsius (42 degrees Fahrenheit), exacerbating the already critical humanitarian crisis.
The lack of proper shelter and basic resources continues to jeopardize the lives of displaced families, many of whom have been forced to flee repeatedly due to ongoing hostilities.
The NRC’s urgent warning raised the need for immediate international intervention to provide adequate shelter and relief for Gaza’s population as they brace for the challenges of winter.
