A severe winter storm, Storm Byron, has come down across Gaza this week, bringing heavy downpours that are expected to cause widespread flooding. Nearly 850,000 people are currently living in 761 displacement sites, many of which are especially vulnerable to rising water.
After more than two years of living in camps, families now face the additional threat of cold water and mud entering their temporary shelters and causing further tent damage, putting their only source of protection under immense stress.
In these conditions, keeping families safe, dry and sheltered is of utmost urgency. Our All Hands & Hearts team was on the ground ahead of the storm, delivering the essentials families need to strengthen their shelters and prepare for the severe weather ahead.
Tarps
After years of displacement, tents have become family homes, yet they remain fragile structures that can easily tear, leak, or collapse under heavy rain. Tarps provide a stronger, more weather-resistant layer that helps keep out wind and water, stabilizing shelters just as the storm approaches.
Last week we distributed:
- 4,500 tarps in Gaza City, Mawasi, Deir El Balah and Khan Younis
Each tarp supports a family of five, benefiting an estimated 22,500 people.
These tarps reinforce weakened tents, shield families from rain and wind, and create safer, more insulated spaces for sleeping, eating and caring for children.
Hygiene Kits
In crowded displacement sites, access to basic hygiene items is extremely limited. Maintaining hygiene is critical, especially during winter, when illness can spread rapidly and families have little access to medical care.
Last week, we distributed:
- 6,372 hygiene kits in Gaza City, Mawasi, Deir El Balah and Khan Younis
Each kit supports a family of five, reaching an estimated 31,860 people.
These kits include essential supplies that help families stay clean and healthy, reducing preventable illness during an already harsh season.
Vegetable Kits
After more than two years in displacement, families continue to face severe shortages of fresh food. Nutritious produce supports children’s growth, strengthens immune systems, and provides essential vitamins needed to stay healthy during winter.
Last week, we provided:
- 4,588 fresh vegetable kits across camps in southern Gaza and to Gaza City
These kits give families fresh ingredients for meals, supplementing limited food supplies and helping them maintain strength as they brace for the storm.
Make a Difference
Each delivery helps to bring a sense of safety, comfort and hope to families returning after the ceasefire to damaged homes or makeshift tents, facing empty markets and soaring food prices.
Thank you for standing with Gaza in their greatest time of need.
