Acute food insecurity, displacement, flooding and harsh living conditions for Gaza’s displaced population

Gaza’s displaced population is enduring a worsening humanitarian crisis marked by severe living conditions, especially as winter storms and flooding compound their hardships. Overcrowded shelters, damaged infrastructure, and harsh weather are creating a dire environment for thousands of families seeking refuge from ongoing conflict and destruction.

Overcrowded Shelters and Winter Storms
Families displaced by the ongoing violence continue to live in overcrowded shelters, many of which are unsafe and poorly equipped to withstand the cold and rain. Recent reports, including videos of flooded tents in camps like Khan Younis, reveal tents inundated by heavy overnight rains, destroying makeshift shelters and exposing displaced Palestinians to the elements. The heavy rains have flooded tents housing families, destroying their only refuge and worsening sanitation conditions. As the winter deepens, displaced civilians face cold nights and continuous exposure to harsh weather, increasing the risk of respiratory illnesses and other health complications.

Displacement camps are struggling with deteriorating sanitation and health risks. In al-Taawun camp in Gaza City, the line between human habitation and waste has become blurred, with overflowing refuse and unsanitary conditions posing severe health hazards. The combination of flooding, inadequate drainage, and limited sanitation infrastructure has heightened the danger of outbreaks of waterborne diseases such as cholera and dysentery, which are already surging in the region.

Flooding and its Impact on Camp Conditions
Heavy rains and flooding have inundated many tents and shelters, destroying tents and forcing displaced families to seek refuge elsewhere. Videos and reports depict flooded tents and waterlogged camp areas, with some shelters rendered completely uninhabitable. The flooding not only displaces families further but also worsens sanitation and health risks, creating breeding grounds for disease outbreaks amid limited access to clean water and medical supplies.

The UN warns that these conditions could lead to a full-blown public health catastrophe if immediate action is not taken. The destruction of sanitation facilities and the contamination of water supplies significantly elevate the risk of cholera outbreaks, which could spiral into a broader health emergency.

Food Scarcity and Daily Survival Struggles
Alongside the shelter crisis, food insecurity remains a critical issue for Gaza’s displaced populations. Thousands face severe shortages, relying heavily on community kitchens and aid distributions to survive. Recent videos show Gaza children queuing at community kitchens for their families’ only daily meal, highlighting the widespread hunger and resilience of the community.

During Ramadan, community efforts such as mass iftars and bakery feeds demonstrate local resilience and solidarity amid adversity. However, these acts of hope are insufficient to meet the massive need. Many families depend on aid to survive, with some community kitchens and aid organizations warning of possible disruptions if supplies and funding are not maintained.

The Struggle for Essential Supplies
The ongoing blockade, combined with restrictions on crossings like Rafah and Kerem Shalom, hampers humanitarian efforts to deliver vital supplies such as food, clean water, and medical aid. The damage to infrastructure, including the recent destruction of the Al-Wehda Street telecommunications tower, has crippled communication and coordination among aid agencies, complicating rescue and relief operations.

The lack of fuel exacerbates the crisis, crippling hospitals and sanitation systems. Without sufficient fuel, hospitals cannot operate generators, pump water, or maintain sanitation facilities, further endangering the displaced and injured. The blockade and restrictions have also limited the ability of critically ill patients to be evacuated safely, especially as winter storms worsen living conditions.

International and Humanitarian Response Challenges
Despite international calls for opening secure humanitarian corridors, access remains severely limited. Only five patients have been evacuated through Rafah since escalation began, out of thousands in need. The presence of armed security at aid sites and political pressures further hinder aid distribution, risking the neutrality and safety of humanitarian workers.

Recent military actions, including drone strikes that killed civilians and damaged infrastructure, have worsened the crisis. The systematic targeting of medical facilities and infrastructure, as documented in reports like "Medicine Under Attack", underscores the grave threats to healthcare and civilian safety.

Urgent Need for Action
The combination of winter storms, flooding, overcrowded shelters, and food shortages presents a mounting humanitarian catastrophe. Immediate international efforts are crucial to:

• Open secure humanitarian corridors for essential supplies and evacuations.
• Provide continuous fuel deliveries to keep hospitals and sanitation systems operational.
• Improve shelter conditions and drainage to prevent flooding and health risks.
• Protect medical neutrality and ensure access to healthcare and clean water.

In conclusion, Gaza’s displaced population faces a perfect storm of environmental, health, and security challenges. Without swift, coordinated international intervention, the risk of a public health disaster and further loss of life will continue to escalate, pushing Gaza toward an irreversible catastrophe. The coming days are critical to prevent this worsening humanitarian tragedy.