Still, efforts continue to provide assistance to the most vulnerable families during the cold, wet winter season, although a rescue mission to reach an injured person in Gaza City was denied.
lack of shelter
“Amid the severe lack of shelter across the Strip, people are staying in buildings that are fully or partially damaged as they try to protect their families from the elements,” he said.
Several buildings collapsed over the weekend due to storm conditions, and casualties were reported, according to humanitarian partners.
Additionally, three-quarters of female-headed households are in urgent need of housing support and two-thirds are in desperate need of clothing.
Dujarric said UN partners continue to work to improve access to decent shelter for the estimated 1.3 million people in Gaza.
Lift restrictions on aid entry
Last week, some 3,500 families affected by storms or living in flood-prone areas received tents, bedding sets, mattresses and blankets, while more than 250,000 children received winter clothing.
“However, our partners estimate that 630,000 teenagers across the Strip still need help getting winter clothing,” he added.
“We and our partners once again call for the lifting of all restrictions on the entry of aid into Gaza, including shelter materials, as these restrictions obviously hamper humanitarian efforts to reach people, especially in this winter and cold season.”
Meanwhile, aid workers continue to coordinate aid missions inside Gaza, with half of Sunday’s attempts facilitated by Israeli authorities.
Teams collected six tankers full of fuel, more than 270 pallets of medical supplies and other essential food items at the Kerem Shalom/Karem Abu Salem crossing, as well as the Zikim crossing.