Nearly 2 Million Gazans Need Winter Shelter As El Niño Threatens Heavy Rains, UN Agency Warns

Almost the entire population of Gaza needs tents or other shelter assistance ahead of winter, with the El Niño weather phenomenon expected to bring heavier rainfall while supplies remain scarce due to Israeli restrictions, the UN migration agency said on Friday.

The International Organization for Migration (IOM) warned that El Niño, which the UN weather agency says could become the strongest on record, could further weaken damaged buildings and trigger flooding due to the enclave’s severely damaged drainage systems.

Nearly 2 million people in Gaza require assistance following widespread destruction caused by the war launched by Israel in response to Hamas’ October 2023 attack. However, humanitarian organisations have met only around 17% of the need for winter shelter supplies, IOM Director General Amy Pope said.

“Families who have already endured repeated displacement and devastating loss must be able to face the winter in safety and dignity,” Pope said, adding that restrictions imposed by Israeli authorities were making it difficult for aid agencies to expand their response.

The IOM said Israeli authorities had not allowed approximately 8,600 emergency shelter kits to enter Gaza, classifying them as dual-use items. The kits contain wood, tarpaulins and other basic materials needed to provide temporary shelter.

COGAT, the Israeli military body responsible for overseeing aid flows into Gaza, did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment. Israel has cited security concerns to justify restrictions on supplies entering the enclave.

The IOM said it had managed to deliver some tarpaulins and tents, but the quantities remained insufficient to meet Gaza’s growing needs ahead of winter.

More than half of all tents and makeshift shelters in Gaza need to be replaced because of their poor condition, the agency said. With many buildings damaged by the war and posing safety risks, displaced families have few alternatives for protection from harsh weather.

According to the IOM, more than 3,600 structures were identified in August as dangerous and at risk of collapse. Meanwhile, approximately 1.8 million people are living at displacement sites, most of which are located in areas vulnerable to flooding.

The agency warned that the combination of damaged infrastructure, deteriorating shelters and limited access to essential supplies could leave hundreds of thousands of displaced families exposed to severe winter conditions.