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UN: winter storms and conflict damage multiple safe spaces in Gaza; food and health aid reaching many but infrastructure gaps remain
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Summary
The UN reported recent winter storms destroyed child- and women-focused safe spaces in Gaza. Since the ceasefire, partners have distributed food parcels to more than 1.5 million people, while water, shelter, and health services face major infrastructure and supply challenges.
The United Nations said recent winter storms in Gaza destroyed at least five child-friendly safe spaces and the Jabalia women and girls safe space, affecting psychosocial and community-based mental health services.
The spokesperson said the destruction will “significantly impact the provision of community based mental health and psychosocial support activities.” He added that partners report more than 1,500,000 people have received food parcels across Gaza since the start of the ceasefire, and the World Food Programme has distributed food parcels, hot meals and cash to more than 860,000 people.
Humanitarian actors are reestablishing presence in newly accessible areas, working to repair water wells, and opening temporary health facilities. The UN said nearly 60 health partners provide primary and secondary health services across the Gaza Strip; UNFPA has distributed reproductive health supplies expected to benefit more than 65,000 people over the next three weeks and, with UNFPA support, another partner opened three temporary primary health care centers and a temporary medical point.
Despite these efforts, the UN cautioned that widespread infrastructure destruction and shortages of spare parts, generators and solar panels are hampering water production and other services. The spokesperson said community kitchens and partners are providing more meals as shelters and aid scale up.
In follow-up questions, the UN reiterated the need to expedite delivery of solid shelters and temporary shelters given weather conditions, and said improvements in the flow of shelters were being sought.
