Heavy seasonal downpours are compounding an already dire humanitarian situation, with rainstorms causing war-damaged buildings to collapse, flooding tents and destroying personal belongings across the territory.
To respond to flood alerts, a coordinated system involving UN agencies and non-governmental organisations is distributing tents, tarpaulins, warm clothing, blankets and dignity kits to affected communities.
Humanitarian teams are also mobilising heavy equipment to pump overflowing sewage away from residential areas, as flooding has increased the risk of disease outbreaks. OCHA has warned that the deteriorating conditions are raising the risk of hypothermia, particularly among babies, as well as illnesses linked to sewage contamination.
Separately, humanitarian workers are assisting hundreds of people newly displaced from the At Tufah neighbourhood in Gaza City, where ongoing military operations have forced residents to flee their homes. Those who remain in, or have returned to, the As Sanafour area report serious difficulties accessing water, food and basic services due to overcrowding and damaged infrastructure.
Relief operations under the UN-co-ordinated humanitarian plan continue despite the challenges. Between December 23, 2025 and December 26, 2025, partners working in water, sanitation and hygiene distributed tens of thousands of dignity kits, hygiene kits and shampoo bottles, reaching about 150 000 people.
As of Sunday, humanitarian partners addressing food insecurity had reached more than one million people, around 50% of Gaza’s population, through 60 distribution points providing monthly food assistance.
In addition, veterinary kits and animal feed were distributed to more than 2 000 families with livestock between December 9, 2025 and December 26, 2025, supporting local food production and reducing reliance on emergency aid.
–UN/ChannelAfrica–
