The Red Cross: Shelter has the most urgent needs of Gazans

The spokesperson for the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), Amani al-Naouq, warned of the dire humanitarian situation and escalating needs in Gaza, emphasizing that living with dignity has become a daily challenge for hundreds of thousands of Palestinian families in the Strip.

In a statement, al-Naouq explained that shelter is among the most pressing needs for Gaza residents, given the severe shortage of humanitarian aid. She noted that winter storms, with their heavy rains, strong winds, and plummeting temperatures, are causing significant damage to vulnerable communities, at a time when many Palestinians live in tents that offer little protection and are often torn down by the wind or flooded by rainwater.

She added that the ICRC frequently hears stories of families waking up to find their tents flooded, their clothes soaked, and their few belongings lost. She stressed that the needs extend beyond shelter alone, encompassing the necessity of ensuring unimpeded access for humanitarian aid and empowering residents to choose what best suits their actual needs. Al-Naouq stressed the importance of a long-term commitment to rebuilding basic services in the Gaza Strip, which would contribute to restoring the dignity of the affected population and enhancing their resilience.