Gaza shelter crisis deepens as millions face winter rains, floods

A shelter crisis is more than a shortage of tents. It means displaced people lack safe, stable places to live, while existing shelters are damaged, destroyed, overcrowded, or exposed to weather. In Gaza, the crisis matters because people have been forced to move repeatedly during three years of war.

Some Palestinians have been displaced as many as eight times. Each move can destroy tents and belongings or leave families searching for new shelter. Tarpaulins, a basic protective material, need replacement about every six months, but agencies cannot bring enough into Gaza. More than half of tents and makeshift shelters are already in poor condition.

The immediate response includes repairs, replacement supplies, pumps, and efforts to reduce flooding. But aid agencies say temporary fixes are no longer enough. They want stronger transitional shelters, although materials for roofs, floors, and walls face restrictions, while funding and access remain inadequate.

The shelter gap is enormous. Humanitarian agencies estimate that 1.8 million to 1.9 million people in Gaza require shelter assistance. Yet IOM reported that available and incoming supplies covered only 17% of Gaza’s winter shelter needs earlier this month. In practical terms, most of the supplies needed for winter are still missing.

The shortage affects basic items and stronger shelter materials. Tarpaulins need replacement roughly every six months, but agencies cannot bring replacements at the required scale. More durable roofing, concrete floors, and substantial walls are also difficult to obtain because some materials face dual-use restrictions. Shipping disruptions and limited funding add further delays.

The consequences are immediate. More than half of tents and makeshift shelters are in poor condition, while displaced people are concentrated in areas vulnerable to flooding. Funding has started to arrive, but Baker said it remains insufficient. Agencies are deploying pumps and addressing flood-prone areas, yet winter remains the biggest challenge.

Winter rains are especially dangerous because many displaced Palestinians are living in crowded, flood-prone areas. Their tents and makeshift shelters are often damaged or in poor condition, so rain can quickly threaten their living space and belongings. Crowding also means many families are concentrated in the same vulnerable locations.

Only around 30% of Gaza is currently accessible to most of the population. Baker described that area as one very large displacement camp. Repeated moves have damaged tents, while shortages limit replacement supplies. Humanitarian organizations are therefore working in places where people have little room to relocate and where basic shelter is already inadequate.

With winter rains beginning, agencies are addressing flood-prone areas and deploying water pumps. These steps may reduce some immediate risks, but they cannot solve the wider shelter shortage. Baker warned that getting displaced Palestinians through the winter would be the biggest challenge, especially while access, supplies, and funding remain restricted.

Repeated displacement turns each forced move into another loss. Families may lose tents, household goods, and other belongings, leaving them without dependable protection or the resources needed to rebuild. Some Palestinians have been displaced as many as eight times, so the damage accumulates over time.

Baker explained that when people move, their goods may be destroyed, or they must seek new shelter. Tents and makeshift structures can also deteriorate with every relocation. Even tarpaulins need replacement roughly every six months, yet humanitarian agencies cannot bring enough replacements into Gaza. Families therefore face repeated disruption rather than a single temporary setback.

The result is deeper dependence on humanitarian assistance amid worsening shelter conditions. More than half of tents and makeshift shelters are in poor condition, and supplies cover only 17% of winter needs. Agencies want to provide stronger transitional shelters, but restrictions, funding shortages, and shipping disruptions limit what they can deliver.

“Dual-use” materials are items that may have civilian purposes but are restricted because authorities believe they could also create security concerns. In Gaza, this category affects materials needed to improve shelters after three years of war. The restrictions matter because temporary tents are wearing out, while families need safer, stronger housing.

Baker identified stronger roofing, concrete floors, and more substantial walls as necessary materials. IOM remains in constant contact with Israeli authorities, but some durable supplies continue to be denied entry over security concerns. This means agencies cannot simply replace damaged tents with transitional shelters, even when the construction need is clear.

The restriction contributes to a wider supply gap. Available and incoming shelter supplies cover only 17% of winter needs, and more than half of tents and makeshift shelters are in poor condition. Humanitarian groups are trying to manage flooding and winter exposure, but durable shelter progress depends partly on whether needed materials can enter Gaza.

Shelter assistance depends on several actors. IOM and other humanitarian organizations assess needs, bring in supplies, repair flood-prone areas, and deploy water pumps. IOM also stays in constant contact with Israeli authorities, who impose security-related restrictions on some materials entering Gaza. Suppliers in China, India, and Pakistan support the supply chain.

The system is disrupted at several points. Israel’s dual-use restrictions can prevent stronger roofing, concrete, and wall materials from entering. International shipping disruptions can delay supplies from overseas vendors. Funding shortages limit what agencies can purchase and deliver, even though some funding has begun to arrive. These barriers operate together rather than separately.

The result is assistance far below the scale required. An estimated 1.8 million to 1.9 million people need shelter help, but winter supplies cover only 17% of needs. Access is also limited: only around 30% of Gaza is accessible to most people. Agencies are preparing for winter, but Baker calls it the biggest challenge.

Temporary shelters are often the first response because displaced people need immediate protection. Tents and tarpaulins can be provided faster than buildings, especially during active displacement. But they are not designed to withstand repeated moves, prolonged use, flooding, and harsh weather. Over time, emergency shelter becomes unsafe or unusable.

Gaza shows why the next step matters. Some Palestinians have moved as many as eight times, damaging or destroying tents and belongings. Tarpaulins need replacement about every six months, yet agencies cannot bring enough replacements. Baker said stronger roofing, concrete floors, and more substantial walls are needed to create transitional shelters.

The shift is difficult because durable materials face dual-use restrictions, while funding and shipping problems reduce supply. More than half of tents and makeshift shelters are in poor condition, and winter supplies cover only 17% of needs. Humanitarian groups are using pumps and other measures now, but longer-term shelter requires improved access to materials and sustained support.