By Anjali Sharma
UNITED NATIONS –UN Spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric on Monday in New York told reporters at regular press conference that the humanitarian crisis across the Gaza Strip remains extremely serious, with harsh winter weather threatens to reverse recent gains in aid delivery.
Mr. Dujarric reported that ongoing rainstorms are damaging and destroying fragile shelters, left 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.
He noted that despite these efforts, at least 1.1 million people still urgently need assistance as weather conditions continue to deteriorate.
A new storm on Friday battered makeshift tents, leaving thousands without protection, he said.
UN teams and partners are conducting assessments and supporting the most vulnerable, but aid workers stress that tents are only a temporary measure, he told reporters.
Mr. Dujarric added that 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.
According to figures from the Ministry of Health and the health partners reported that children suffers the most and vulnerable as an infant has reportedly died from hypothermia, bring the total number of reported deaths to four, all of them very young children.
The humanitarian partners have distributed over 310,000 winter clothing sets for children and over 112,000 pairs of shoes as part of winterization efforts.
They have also installed 150 specialized tents across Gaza to be used as child-friendly and safe spaces.
The nutrition partners screened over 76,000 children last month, identifying around 4,900 cases of acute malnutrition, including more than 820 cases of severe acute malnutrition.
It brings the total number of acute malnutrition cases identified in 2025 to nearly 95,000.
Education partners are expanding their presence, with 18 additional temporary learning spaces opening last week for about 35,000 students.
There are 440 operational temporary learning spaces, accommodated 268,000 children.
The 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, UN agencies reported.
Mr. Dujarric said “We do believe that it is a critical activity”.
