Displaced families in Gaza are bracing for a fourth winter in damaged tents as storms approach and shelter supplies remain scarce.
Mohammed al-Jamal, 60, works to secure his family’s worn-out tent against an incoming storm. He and his sons pull at the thin tarpaulins to fasten them to the ground. This marks the fourth winter that displaced people in Gaza face without proper shelter.
Many families live in makeshift structures that offer little protection from harsh weather. Temperatures often drop to 7C, and coastal winds make the air feel much colder. Al-Jamal cannot afford new materials to fix his damaged living space.
Next, he patches the holes and hopes the tent survives the wind. He explains that storms tear his shelter apart every time. Then, the family must start the repair process all over again.
Meanwhile, the war has destroyed or damaged over 80 percent of buildings in Gaza. Roughly 1.5 million people now live in tents or temporary shelters. Many families move frequently as conflict forces them to flee their camps.
Also, international groups report that hundreds of truckloads of shelter materials wait to enter the region. Procurement and border issues delay these supplies by many months. Most families currently lack access to basic winter assistance.
Following this, other residents like Khitam Salman describe similar struggles. Her tents have collapsed multiple times during the night. She cannot afford the tarpaulins needed to keep sand and rain out of her home.
Furthermore, damaged infrastructure makes the situation even worse. The city’s drainage systems operate at only 20 percent of their normal capacity. Rubble and a lack of machinery block efforts to clear the flooded streets.
Finally, mothers like Yosra Mesleh worry about keeping their families dry and fed. Rain ruins bedding and makes cooking nearly impossible without gas. These families say they only want a safe and dignified place to live.