Humanitarian partners warn that Gaza’s crisis has worsened

Winter storms have damaged shelters, and new restrictions on international NGOs risk crippling aid delivery; more than one million people urgently need shelter support.

Gaza’s humanitarian emergency deepened over the weekend as severe winter storms battered makeshift camps and war‑damaged homes, while newly announced restrictions on international non‑governmental organisations threatened to curtail lifesaving relief at a moment of acute need.

Humanitarian coordinators say that despite distributions of tents and weatherproofing materials since the fragile ceasefire, more than 1,000,000 people — roughly half of Gaza’s population — still urgently require shelter assistance, with thousands of tents and tarpaulins damaged by wind and flooding. Shelter, water and sanitation services are under severe strain, and agencies warn that the coming weeks will be critical for preventing further loss of life and disease outbreaks.

Aid groups and UN officials described a two‑pronged crisis: immediate weather damage and institutional barriers to aid delivery. Heavy rains and strong winds have torn roofs from partially repaired houses and flooded tented sites, leaving families exposed to cold and damp conditions and forcing emergency repairs under hazardous conditions. Local civil defence teams and UN partners reported multiple incidents of structural collapse and injuries during recent storms.

At the same time, more than 50 international NGOs have publicly warned that recent Israeli measures to suspend or deregister organisations could force many to halt operations across Gaza, the West Bank and East Jerusalem, jeopardising food, medical, hygiene and shelter assistance at a time when those services are most needed. The NGOs said the measures include demands for sensitive staff data and new compliance requirements that, they argue, are incompatible with humanitarian principles and data‑protection obligations.

UN officials urged a reversal of the restrictions and called for unfettered access for humanitarian supplies and personnel. The UN Secretary‑General’s office said the suspension risks undermining fragile progress made during the ceasefire and could further delay critical shipments of tents, blankets and specialised equipment needed to repair infrastructure and maintain sanitation systems. UNRWA and other agencies continue to press for the entry of fuel and waste‑management equipment as landfill access and fuel shortages have left waste piling up and increased public‑health risks.

Humanitarian coordinators emphasised that shelter is not only about tents: durable repairs, winter‑proofing, heating, and safe water and sanitation are all essential to prevent secondary crises. They called on all parties and international actors to prioritise humanitarian corridors and to allow the rapid, predictable movement of supplies and personnel into Gaza.

Local aid workers and displaced families described scenes of desperation: soaked bedding, children shivering in flimsy shelters, and volunteers racing to shore up damaged tents. International agencies warned that without immediate scale‑up of shelter and WASH (water, sanitation and hygiene) support, the humanitarian toll will rise sharply in the coming weeks.

What’s next: Humanitarian partners say rapid approvals for NGO operations and unimpeded access at border crossings are essential to deliver winterised shelter kits and repair materials at scale; donors and governments were urged to use diplomatic channels to prevent further disruption to life‑saving assistance.