Gaza: Storms Worsen Already Dire Humanitarian Situation–Large Numbers Exposed to the Cold
PALESTINE ISRAEL GAZA GENOCIDE, 19 Jan 2026
UN News - TRANSCEND Media Service
A young boy walks near tents in Jabalya, northern Gaza. © UNOCHA
12 Jan 2026 – The humanitarian crisis across the Gaza Strip remains extremely serious, with harsh winter weather threatening to reverse recent gains in aid delivery, the United Nations said today.
Briefing correspondents in New York, Spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric reported that ongoing rainstorms are damaging and destroying fragile shelters, leaving large numbers of displaced people exposed to the cold.
“To help address immense shelter needs, during the past week our partners delivered supplies to 28,000 families, including 1,600 tents, 16,000 tarpaulins and 27,000 blankets,” Mr. Dujarric said.
Half the population in need
Despite these efforts, at least 1.1 million people still urgently need assistance as weather conditions continue to deteriorate.
A new storm on Friday once again battered makeshift tents, leaving thousands without protection. UN teams and partners are conducting assessments and supporting the most vulnerable, but aid workers stress that tents are only a temporary measure.
More durable solutions are urgently required, including tool kits, cement and heavy machinery to clear debris, alongside sustained funding to allow a transition from emergency relief to early recovery, Mr. Dujarric added.
Infant deaths
Children remain among the hardest hit. Health partners reported that another infant has reportedly died from hypothermia, bringing the total number of reported deaths to four, all of them very young children, according to figures from the Ministry of Health.
Since the ceasefire and by the end of the year, humanitarian partners have distributed more than 310,000 winter clothing sets for children and over 112,000 pairs of shoes as part of winterisation efforts. They have also installed 150 specialised tents across Gaza to be used as child-friendly and safe spaces.
Meanwhile, nutrition partners screened more than 76,000 children last month, identifying around 4,900 cases of acute malnutrition, including more than 820 cases of severe acute malnutrition. This brings the total number of acute malnutrition cases identified in 2025 to nearly 95,000.
Right to learn
Education partners are continuing to expand their presence, with 18 additional temporary learning spaces opening last week for about 35,000 students. There are now 440 operational temporary learning spaces, accommodating around 268,000 children.
However, education supplies continue to be denied entry by the Israel authorities, who argue that education is not a critical activity during the first phase of the ceasefire.
“We do believe that it is a critical activity,” Mr. Dujarric said.
JOIN THE BDS-BOYCOTT, DIVESTMENT, SANCTIONS CAMPAIGN TO PROTEST THE ISRAELI BARBARIC GENOCIDE OF PALESTINIANS IN GAZA.
DON’T BUY PRODUCTS WHOSE BARCODE STARTS WITH 729, WHICH INDICATES THAT THEY ARE PRODUCED IN ISRAEL. DO YOUR PART! MAKE A DIFFERENCE!
7 2 9: BOYCOTT FOR HUMAN JUSTICE!
Tags: Anti Zionism, Ceasefire, Collective Punishment, Colonialism, Colonization, Crimes against Humanity, Cultural violence, Direct violence, Ethnic Cleansing, Famine, Gaza, Genocide, Hamas, Hunger, Israel, Israeli occupation, Palestine, Palestinian Holocaust, Sociocide, State Terrorism, Structural violence, USA, War crimes
JOIN THE BDS-BOYCOTT, DIVESTMENT, SANCTIONS CAMPAIGN TO PROTEST THE ISRAELI BARBARIC GENOCIDE OF PALESTINIANS IN GAZA.
DON'T BUY PRODUCTS WHOSE BARCODE STARTS WITH 729, WHICH INDICATES THAT IT IS PRODUCED IN ISRAEL. DO YOUR PART! MAKE A DIFFERENCE!
7 2 9: BOYCOTT FOR JUSTICE!
DISCLAIMER: The statements, views and opinions expressed in pieces republished here are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of TMS. In accordance with title 17 U.S.C. section 107, this material is distributed without profit to those who have expressed a prior interest in receiving the included information for research and educational purposes. TMS has no affiliation whatsoever with the originator of this article nor is TMS endorsed or sponsored by the originator. “GO TO ORIGINAL” links are provided as a convenience to our readers and allow for verification of authenticity. However, as originating pages are often updated by their originating host sites, the versions posted may not match the versions our readers view when clicking the “GO TO ORIGINAL” links. This site contains copyrighted material the use of which has not always been specifically authorized by the copyright owner. We are making such material available in our efforts to advance understanding of environmental, political, human rights, economic, democracy, scientific, and social justice issues, etc. We believe this constitutes a ‘fair use’ of any such copyrighted material as provided for in section 107 of the US Copyright Law. In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. Section 107, the material on this site is distributed without profit to those who have expressed a prior interest in receiving the included information for research and educational purposes. For more information go to: http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/17/107.shtml. If you wish to use copyrighted material from this site for purposes of your own that go beyond ‘fair use’, you must obtain permission from the copyright owner.
Join the discussion!
We welcome debate and dissent, but personal — ad hominem — attacks (on authors, other users or any individual), abuse and defamatory language will not be tolerated. Nor will we tolerate attempts to deliberately disrupt discussions. We aim to maintain an inviting space to focus on intelligent interactions and debates.
Read more
Click here to go to the current weekly digest or pick another article:
PALESTINE ISRAEL GAZA GENOCIDE: