In brief
Recent heavy rains in Gaza have worsened the already difficult living conditions for nearly 55,000 displaced families, with reports of fatalities from hypothermia and building collapses. UN agencies and humanitarian organizations are struggling to provide adequate relief, confronting challenges from the severe weather and ongoing conflicts. Critical support is needed to assist those living in makeshift shelters as winter temperatures drop.
Heavy rains over the past week have compounded the already dire living conditions of the hundreds of thousands of displaced Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, UN agencies say.
Unicef spokesman Jonathan Crickx told the BBC that the weather overnight had been horrendous, with the rain so intense that he had seen up to 15cm (6in) of water on the ground near his office.
He said he was extremely concerned that children living in tents and makeshift shelters in wet clothing would succumb to hypothermia and other illnesses.
Gaza's Hamas-run health ministry has said one baby has died from hypothermia and at least 11 other people have died in building collapses caused by the severe weather.
UN agencies have stepped up deliveries of tents, blankets, and clothes since the Gaza ceasefire began nine weeks ago, but they have said there is still not enough aid getting in.
The UN and its partners estimate that almost 55,000 families have so far been affected by the rains, with their belongings and shelters damaged or destroyed.
More than 40 designated emergency shelters were severely flooded following downpours on Monday and Tuesday, forcing many people to relocate again.
Last night was really horrendous for the families. The heavy rains were so intense that we could see from our office and guest house 10cm, 15cm (4-6in) of water at some point. And the winds were so strong, Jonathan Crickx added.
Many tents were also at risk of being blown away or destroyed by the strong winds accompanying the rain because they were only made from a piece of tarpaulin or plastic sheeting nailed to a fragile wooden structure.
The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) emphasized the need for increased humanitarian assistance to respond to urgent needs, including food and shelter.
