Humanitarian agencies have intensified relief efforts in Gaza after heavy rains flooded shelters housing thousands of displaced families, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said on Friday.
OCHA said the flooding caused widespread damage to personal belongings and left many families fully exposed to harsh weather conditions, worsening existing health and protection risks for older people, persons with disabilities, and other vulnerable groups.
According to the agency, proper flood-prevention measures require equipment that is currently unavailable in Gaza, such as tools to drain water from tents and remove debris and solid waste. 
Millions of essential shelter items remain stranded in Jordan, Egypt and Israel, awaiting entry approvals.
Since the October 10 ceasefire, Israeli authorities have rejected 23 requests from nine humanitarian partners to bring nearly 4,000 pallets of critical supplies into Gaza, including tents, sealing kits, bedding, kitchen sets and blankets. 
OCHA noted that in all but two cases, applications were denied because the organizations were &ldquo;not authorized to deliver humanitarian aid into Gaza.&rdquo;
Despite these barriers, humanitarian partners distributed around 1,000 tents on Thursday to families in Deir al-Balah and Khan Younis. 
Between Sunday and Wednesday, relief teams provided 7,000 blankets, 15,000 tarpaulins, and winter clothing to affected households across the Strip.
"The dire living conditions are also increasing people's exposure to explosive ordnance, with children among those most at risk," OCHA said.
Some residents have been injured while collecting firewood, while others are forced to pitch tents near areas suspected of containing unexploded remnants due to a lack of safer alternatives.
Since the ceasefire, more than 10 explosive-related injuries have been recorded. 
Humanitarian mine-action teams have responded to over 70 requests for hazard assessments, supported 32 inter-agency missions, and delivered safety education sessions to more than 49,000 people.
The UN Mine Action Service said it could expand its operations significantly once teams receive access to detectors, spare parts and other essential equipment required for safe disposal of explosive hazards.
&mdash;IANS

A Palestinian man clears stagnant water from the road near a displacement camp after the first winter rainfall in Gaza City

UN boosts relief as heavy rains flood Gaza shelters,worsening risks for displaced families

UN Ramps Up Aid After Gaza Flooding

UN boosts relief as heavy rains flood Gaza shelters,worsening risks for displaced families

November 15, 2025 | 16:02 IST