Hundreds of thousands of displaced people face heightened flood risk as winter conditions expose the inadequacy of makeshift shelter across Gaza. Source: Caritas Australia.
Heavy rain and flooding are worsening already critical living conditions for displaced families in Gaza, flooding tents, damaging belongings and affecting health facilities and humanitarian workers who are themselves living in temporary shelters.
The latest United Nations humanitarian reporting estimates nearly one million displaced people are living in sites at risk of flooding, while more than 65 per cent of displaced households surveyed were living in tents or makeshift shelters.
Caritas Jerusalem’s Gaza operations manager, Ouda Al-Jelda, said recent rainfall had affected both displaced communities and Caritas operations.
“The recent rainfall has made things even harder, especially for people living in tents and shelters,” Mr Al-Jelda said.
“Caritas Jerusalem in Gaza has also been affected by the rain and flooding. Unfortunately some of our health centres in Gaza have sustained minor damage. Some medicines in our warehouses were partially damaged.”
Among those affected are Caritas Jerusalem staff, who continue reporting to work to provide essential health care while their own families endure displacement and increasingly harsh conditions.
The flooding adds to an extraordinary personal toll already experienced by Caritas Jerusalem’s local health care workers.
A recent staff survey found workers had been displaced an average of almost six times since the outbreak of the conflict. More than 70 per cent reported their homes had been partially damaged and over a quarter said their homes had been completely destroyed.
Caritas Australia humanitarian manager Sally Thomas said tents could provide temporary emergency shelter but were not a safe, dignified or sustainable home for families enduring prolonged displacement.
“A tent may provide emergency shelter, but it is not a safe, dignified or sustainable place for a family to live long-term. It cannot provide the protection children and families need from heavy rain, flooding and cold.
“People in Gaza have already endured repeated displacement, loss and immense uncertainty. They need access to safe and adequate shelter where they can live with dignity, not another winter trying to protect their children and belongings from the elements.”
To support Caritas Australia’s Gaza Crisis Appeal, visit www.caritas.org.au/gaza.
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Gaza floods as Caritas warns tents are not safe, dignified long term shelter (Caritas Australia)
