Citing the UN aid coordination office, OCHA, Dujarric said humanitarian teams continue to support the most vulnerable families in Gaza “despite the impediments” and the cumulative impact of two years of conflict between Israeli forces and Hamas militants.
“In recent days, one of our partners distributed 7,000 dignity kits, more than 5,600 dignified family hygiene kits and 1.3 million bars of soap to some 200,000 people,” he said, underlining that aid is reaching communities in both the north and south of the devastated Strip.
I’m just trying to survive
Supporting emergency shelters remains a priority as temperatures drop.
Humanitarian partners have reached more than 16,000 homes across Gaza with tents, tarps and other essential materialsincluding kits to waterproof and reinforce makeshift shelters. “These are people trying to survive the winter in extremely fragile conditions,” Dujarric said.
Winter assistance has also included the distribution of thousands of blankets, mattresses and bedding to improve sleeping conditions, as well as cooking utensils and clothing to hundreds of households.
At the same time, water transportation operations continue throughout the territory. “Thirty-six partners distribute more than 21,500 cubic meters of fresh water every day to more than 2,300 collection points,” he stated.
Educational efforts, although limited, are also progressing. More than 420 temporary learning spaces are currently operating throughout Gaza, serving more than 230,000 students with the support of some 5,500 teachers.
Scaling up is essential
Dujarric stressed that the expansion remains “a critical priority,” but depends on the entry of essential supplies that are still being denied. Still, renovation work continues in public schools and there are now new classrooms in Gaza City. allowing more than 1,800 children to learn again.
Regarding health, Dujarric said that the World Health Organization (WHO) recently facilitated the evacuation of 18 patients and 36 companions to receive medical treatment outside Gaza. “These medical evacuations remain absolutely essential,” he added.
Demolitions continue in the West Bank
As for the West Bank, OCHA reports that severe winter weather has damaged or destroyed dozens of tents and makeshift shelters in Bedouin and pastoralist communities.
The UN also warns of continued demolitions of Palestinian-owned structures by Israeli authorities due to lack of permits, with 50 structures demolished in the last two weeks.
“Our message is simple,” Dujarric said. “In Gaza and the West Bank, the UN and its partners are doing everything possible to maintain assistance to people in need, despite extremely difficult conditions.”