Gaza winter relief: shelter and warmth before the storms

Why winter is dangerous in Gaza

About 1.7 million people in Gaza remain displaced, WHO said on 24 September 2026, out of a population of about 2.1 million. Many live in tents, makeshift shelters or damaged buildings that offer little protection from rain and cold.

Flooding is the biggest danger. In September 2026 the Shelter and Site Management clusters and IOM estimated that more than 950,000 people were living in 989 displacement sites at medium or high risk of flooding, including over 400,000 in 451 high-risk sites (OCHA, 23 September 2026). After physically assessing over 400 sites, the Site Management Cluster found 217 at medium to high risk, hosting about 235,000 people, and nearly 44,000 more people were living in unsafe buildings that need demolition (OCHA, 2 October 2026). Last winter, in January 2026, nearly 795,000 people were sheltering in 761 flood-prone sites, with coastal communities among the hardest hit.

The cold is dangerous too, especially for babies. UNICEF reported that at least 11 children died from hypothermia last winter, including a two-month-old baby.

What winter relief includes

Winter support usually combines several things:

• Tents, tarpaulins and sealing-off kits to keep rain out of shelters.
• Blankets, mattresses and insulation against cold ground.
• Warm clothing, especially for children and older people.
• Drainage and site works to stop displacement sites flooding.
• Moving the most exposed families to safer ground where possible.

Why timing matters

Winter supplies are only useful if they arrive before the storms. Last December, aid workers supported some 80,000 families, providing more than 40,000 tents and over 135,000 tarpaulins, yet shelter partners said better options were still needed.

Getting supplies in is the hard part. In September 2026 OCHA reported that restrictions on the entry of tents, tarpaulins and other critical items continued to hamper preparations. Funding is short too: as of 18 September 2026 the Site Management and Shelter clusters had received just 2% and 26% of the money they requested, and partners' stocks and orders covered tents, tarpaulins and sealing-off kits for about 50,000 households (OCHA, 25 September 2026). Earlier in the year it noted that drainage equipment, heaters, solar equipment, cement and timber were among items classified as "dual-use", which limits what can be brought in.

Choosing a winter appeal

Winter appeals often price a kit or tent per family. Before you give, check what the kit contains, when it will be delivered, and whether it's bought inside Gaza or needs to come through the crossings. Our guide to donating safely lists the checks worth running on any appeal.