International Organization for Migration: Two Million People in Gaza Need Shelter by Winter
Geneva, October 9 (KUNA) -- The Director-General of the International Organization for Migration (IOM), Amy Pope, warned on Friday that approximately two million people in the Gaza Strip still require assistance and shelter nearly a year after the ceasefire was declared, noting that available supplies cover only 17 percent of the needs identified for the winter season, coinciding with the onset of rainfall.
In a statement, the organization said that funding shortages and restrictions imposed by the occupation on the entry of essential shelter supplies are limiting the capacity of humanitarian organizations to respond to growing needs, as Palestinians face their fourth winter without adequate protection from rain and cold after years of displacement and widespread destruction.
It added that more than half of the tents and temporary shelters currently in use are in a dilapidated state, warning that many families are forced to reside in buildings damaged by the war, which pose a threat to the lives of their inhabitants. The organization highlighted that dozens of people were killed in Gaza City last month following the collapse of a damaged building, and also announced that more than 3,600 buildings were designated as dangerous and at risk of collapse in August.
In the same context, the IOM warned that the intensification of the El Niño phenomenon could lead to heavier rainfall, increasing the risks of further building collapses, particularly given the significant damage inflicted on water drainage networks.
The organization reported that approximately 8,600 emergency shelter kits are ready for delivery and are located outside the Gaza Strip, but they continue to face rejection at crossing points by occupation authorities.
The IOM called for the immediate and sustainable entry of tents, emergency shelter kits, relief housing units, wood, tools, and construction materials necessary to reinforce shelters and repair damaged homes, along with the provision of specialized equipment, fuel, and spare parts essential for debris removal and supporting early recovery efforts.
In this regard, IOM Director-General Pope urged ensuring that humanitarian aid reaches the Gaza Strip quickly, regularly, and in quantities commensurate with the scale of the humanitarian crisis in the sector. (End) A.M.Kh / T.M.A
