Heavy seasonal rains are worsening Gaza’s already critical humanitarian situation, causing rainstorms that collapse war-damaged buildings, flood tents, and soak people’s belongings. In response, a coordinated system of UN agencies and non-governmental organizations is distributing essential relief items, including tents, tarpaulins, warm clothing, blankets, and dignity kits, to affected communities.
Humanitarian teams are also deploying heavy equipment to pump overflowing sewage away from residential areas, addressing severe health risks. The floods have heightened the risk of hypothermia, especially among infants, and increased exposure to illnesses linked to contaminated water. Meanwhile, ongoing military operations in Gaza City’s At Tufah neighborhood have forced many residents to flee, creating additional displacement challenges. Those remaining or returning to areas like As Sanafour face major difficulties accessing clean water, food, and basic services.
Relief efforts under the UN-coordinated humanitarian plan for the ceasefire are continuing. From 23 to 26 December, partners working on water, sanitation, and hygiene distributed tens of thousands of dignity and hygiene kits, reaching approximately 150,000 people. Food assistance operations have reached over one million individuals—around half of Gaza’s population—through 60 distribution points providing December’s monthly general food aid.
In addition, humanitarian partners provided veterinary kits and animal feed to more than 2,000 families with livestock between 9 and 26 December, supporting local food production and helping reduce dependency on external aid. These combined efforts highlight a multisectoral response aimed at protecting lives, health, and livelihoods amid ongoing environmental and conflict-related crises.
