Shelters Provided to Homeless Palestinians Found 'Unsuitable for the Territory's Cold Season'

Thousands of temporary structures provided by a number of states to accommodate homeless Palestinians in Gaza offer minimal shelter from rain and wind, an evaluation compiled by relief professionals in the ravaged territory has shown.

Report Undermines Statements of Sufficient Housing

The assessment challenge assertions that civilians in Gaza are being furnished with suitable shelter. Fierce storms in the past few weeks blew down or damaged thousands of structures, harming at least 235,000 people, according to figures from humanitarian agencies.

"The fabric [of some tents] tears without much force as stitching workmanship is low," the findings noted. "The fabric is not water-resistant. Further shortcomings comprise small windows, weak structure, no flooring, the top accumulates water due to the design of the tent, and no netting for openings."

Country-by-Country Criticisms Highlighted

Donations from some contributing countries were found lacking. Certain were described as "permeable light fabric" and a "poor structure," while others were described as "extremely thin" and not waterproof.

However, shelters supplied by several nations were assessed to have fulfilled the requirements established by international organizations.

Doubts Raised Over Humanitarian Standards

This report – informed by extensive inputs to a poll and reports "from partners on the ground" – will raise new questions about the quality of aid being sent bilaterally to Gaza by specific states.

After the halt in hostilities, only a minority of the shelters that had reached Gaza were supplied by major global humanitarian agencies, as stated by one humanitarian official.

Market Tents Likewise Deemed Inadequate

Residents in Gaza and humanitarian workers said tents available on the open market by commercial suppliers were likewise insufficient for Gaza's winter and were very costly.

"The tent we live in is dilapidated and rain leaks inside," said one homeless resident. "We obtained it through the help of a contact; it is improvised from wood and tarpaulin. We cannot buy a new tent due to the sky-high prices, and we have not received any aid at all."

Larger Relief Background

Virtually the entire population of Gaza has been forced from their homes many times since the hostilities erupted, and large swathes of the territory have been transformed into rubble.

Numerous people in Gaza believed the lull would allow them to start rebuilding their homes. In reality, the division of the territory and the continued relief crisis have proven this impossible. Hardly anyone have the funds to move, most essential items remain lacking, and essential services are almost absent.

Moreover, relief operations could be further restricted as a number of NGOs that deliver services in Gaza are subject to a looming restriction under new requirements.

Personal Accounts of Suffering

One uprooted woman described living with her children in a solitary, rat-infested room with no windows or proper floor in the shell of an complex. She explained fleeing a temporary shelter after hearing explosions near a recent dividing line within Gaza.

"We left when we heard many explosions," she said. "I was forced to leave all our clothes behind... I know residing in a destroyed building during the cold months is incredibly dangerous, but we have no option."

Officials have stated that several people have been have died by structures giving way after torrential rain.

The sole aspect that transformed with the start of the truce was the end of the fighting; our everyday existence stay almost the same, with the same suffering," concluded another displaced Palestinian.