Gaza Displaced Face Winter with Limited Resources
··2 min read
Thousands of displaced people in Gaza are facing a new challenge as winter approaches, struggling to secure basic shelter with limited resources. Many are using scrap metal from destroyed homes to reinforce their tents, as the cost of wood has surged.
In the Mawasi area of Khan Younis, southern Gaza, repairing tents has become a daunting task. Some search for iron rods among the rubble of destroyed homes to stabilize their tents, while others patch holes in worn-out tarps with nylon, cloth, and blankets.
Many families are forced to use remnants of their destroyed homes to build temporary shelters. These shelters may not provide adequate protection from rain, wind, and cold, and the cost of repairs adds to the financial burden on families already strained by displacement, poverty, and limited resources.
The high cost of wood has led some to use iron rods from destroyed homes to reinforce their tents, seeking stability against winds and rains. Wasam Al-Ghalban, a 45-year-old displaced person supporting a family of seven, experienced difficulties last winter when rainwater leaked into his tent, damaging his belongings. He took a loan to buy iron rods, rebuild, and reinforce his tent.
Al-Ghalban estimates the cost of a four-by-six-meter iron tent at 800 shekels, excluding covering materials. Each tarp costs around 200 shekels, with four needed per tent, totaling 1,600 shekels for the structure and covering. This financial strain leaves families with a tough choice: spend scarce resources on more robust shelters or risk exposure to winter elements.
Beyond structural reinforcement, tents require tarps for protection. However, the cost of tarps and the overall financial burden make it difficult for many families to afford adequate shelter.
CONTEXT: Gaza's displaced population faces severe challenges in securing basic shelter as winter approaches, highlighting the ongoing humanitarian crisis in the region. The lack of stable housing and financial resources exacerbates the difficulties faced by displaced families, who are already dealing with the aftermath of conflict and displacement.
