The UN migration agency says only 17% of Gaza’s winter shelter needs have been met, with damaged buildings, flood risks and restrictions on supplies raising concerns ahead of winter. Almost two million people in Gaza need emergency shelter assistance ahead of winter, as the El Niño weather phenomenon threatens heavier rainfall and humanitarian supplies remain limited, the UN migration agency said on Friday. The International Organization for Migration (IOM) warned that severe weather could further damage unsafe buildings and trigger flooding across the enclave, where drainage systems have been heavily damaged during the war. IOM Director General Amy Pope said humanitarian organisations had met only about 17% of Gaza’s winter shelter needs. The territory has been devastated by the war that began after Hamas’s October 2023 attack on Israel. Makkah Joint Defence Agreement: Pakistan vows to defend Saudi Arabia, DG ISPR says “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 about 8,600 emergency shelter kits to enter Gaza because they had been classified as dual-use items. The kits contain wood, tarpaulins and other basic materials needed to build temporary shelters. COGAT, the Israeli military body responsible for coordinating aid into Gaza, did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment. Israel has cited security concerns to justify restrictions on certain supplies entering the territory. The IOM said it had managed to bring in some tents and tarpaulins, but the deliveries fell far short of the scale of need. More than half of the tents and makeshift shelters across Gaza require replacement because of their poor condition, the agency said. With many buildings damaged by the conflict and posing safety risks, displaced families have few alternatives. The agency also reported that more than 3,600 structures were identified in August as dangerous and at risk of collapse. Around 1.8 million people are living at displacement sites, most of which are located in areas vulnerable to flooding. The UN weather agency has warned that the developing El Niño could become exceptionally strong. The phenomenon can influence global weather patterns and increase the risk of extreme conditions in some regions, although its specific effects vary by location. Humanitarian agencies say improved access to shelter materials will be essential to protect displaced families as winter approaches. Post navigation Anne Carson Canadian poet wins 2026 Nobel Prize in Literature
