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‘We woke up soaking wet’: Gaza’s displaced face another winter of floods and collapsed shelters
Heavy rain and strong winds have flooded tents and damaged homes across Gaza, leaving displaced families exposed to cold and further loss. The storms have made it harder for people already living with injury, illness and shortages to protect their children through another winter.
Nahla al-Majdoub’s family of eight lost their tent near Gaza’s port and have been staying with neighbours; she said her children had worn the same wet clothes for four days. She also needs medication costing 170 shekels a week and cares for a seven-year-old daughter with diabetes. In al-Sabra, Sameh Doghomoush tried to patch his partly destroyed home with tarpaulins, but rain entered through the roof and broken windows, soaking the family and leaving his three sons ill.
In short
- Storms flooded tents and damaged homes in Gaza.
- Majdoub’s family of eight lost their shelter.
- Doghomoush’s repairs could not keep rain out.
Explained simply
Gaza is a small, densely populated territory on the Mediterranean coast, where repeated displacement has left many families living in tents or damaged buildings. People often have limited access to sturdy shelter, warm clothing, clean water and medical care.
The United Nations and aid groups have warned that the humanitarian crisis has made daily life difficult for civilians, including children and people with health conditions. Winter rain and wind can worsen these problems by flooding shelters, damaging homes and making it harder to stay warm and reach treatment.
The Gaza Strip is governed by Hamas, and Israel controls most access to the territory; Egypt also controls a crossing on Gaza’s southern border. The wider conflict and restrictions on movement affect the delivery of aid and the ability of residents to find safer housing.