Heavy Rains Flood Displacement Camps in Gaza, UN Warns of Rising Humanitarian Risks
- SAUDI ARABIA BREAKING NEWS
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Geneva, December 12, 2025 (Saudi Arabia Breaking News) – Hundreds of thousands of displaced people in Gaza are facing flooding of tents and makeshift shelters following heavy rainfall, while materials needed to reinforce shelters remain restricted from entering the enclave, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) said on Friday.
Torrential rain swept across the Gaza Strip on Thursday, flooding hundreds of tents housing families displaced by two years of conflict. Local health officials reported the death of a baby girl due to exposure.
The IOM said nearly 795,000 displaced people are at increased risk of dangerous flooding in low-lying, debris-filled areas where families are living in unstable shelters. The agency added that inadequate drainage and waste management systems have raised concerns over potential disease outbreaks.
According to the IOM, materials required to strengthen shelters — including timber, plywood, sandbags and water pumps — have been delayed due to ongoing access restrictions. Supplies that had already reached Gaza, such as waterproof tents, thermal blankets and tarpaulins, were unable to withstand the flooding.
Israel has said it is meeting its humanitarian obligations and has accused aid agencies of inefficiency and failing to prevent diversion of supplies by Hamas, which the group denies. COGAT, the Israeli military body overseeing humanitarian coordination, was not immediately available for comment.
IOM Director General Amy Pope said families were attempting to protect their children with limited resources following the storm.
A ceasefire has largely held since October, but extensive damage to Gaza’s infrastructure has left living conditions severe. United Nations and Palestinian officials said at least 300,000 additional tents are urgently required for the estimated 1.5 million people who remain displaced.