The Norwegian Refugee Council states: “Hundreds of thousands of displaced Palestinian families in Gaza face winter rains and cold without adequate protection, as Israeli restrictions continue to block the entry of lifesaving shelter materials, warns the Shelter Cluster, which coordinates the humanitarian shelter response and identifies priority needs for displaced families.
“Millions of shelter and non-food items are stuck in Jordan, Egypt, and Israel awaiting approvals, leaving around 260,000 Palestinian families, equal to nearly 1.5 million people, exposed to worsening conditions. Since the ceasefire took effect on 10 October, Israeli authorities have rejected 23 requests from nine aid agencies to bring in urgently needed shelter supplies such as tents, sealing and framing kits, bedding, kitchen sets, and blankets, amounting to nearly 4,000 pallets. Humanitarian organizations warn that the window to scale up winterization assistance is closing rapidly.”
“We have a very short chance to protect families from the winter rains and cold,” said Angelita Caredda, Middle East and North Africa Regional Director for the Norwegian Refugee Council, which hosts the Shelter Cluster. “More than three weeks into the ceasefire, Gaza should be receiving a surge of shelter materials, but only a fraction of what is needed has entered. The international community must act now to secure swift and unimpeded access.”
The group continued: “In 21 of the 23 rejected requests, Israeli authorities cited the claim that the organizations submitting them were ‘not authorized to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza,’ including organizations which have a valid registration in Israel. Even agencies considered authorized face prolonged and opaque customs requirements. One Shelter Cluster member, despite meeting all criteria, waited more than seven months for a required ‘donation number’ from Israeli authorities needed to start customs clearance.”
Contact:
NRC global media hotline: [email protected], @nrc_norway
Ahmed Bayram, Middle East Media Adviser, in Amman: [email protected]