Freiburg/Gaza City – November 12, 2026 -- Heavy rain in early November flooded around 70,000 tents in the Gaza Strip, according to local authorities. Aid group Caritas international is now urging the rapid import of winterproof shelters.
More than 6,000 family shelters were destroyed
Local authorities report that over 6,000 family shelters were completely destroyed and another 17,400 were damaged. Among the flooded structures were makeshift learning centers supported by Caritas international.
Caritas teams limited damage to clinics and medicine stocks
Water also damaged some health centers run by Caritas Jerusalem, and incoming water affected some medicines. Teams secured the drugs quickly, contained the damage and largely kept medical care running.
Ouda Al-Jildeh, Gaza project coordinator at Caritas Jerusalem, said many of his colleagues live with their families in tents that are now underwater. They keep showing up for the people who depend on them.
Caritas demands shelters, blankets and unhindered access
Oliver Müller, head of Caritas international, said local partners cannot cope with the crisis alone. The organization calls for large-scale entry of winterproof shelters and unhindered access for humanitarian aid. Blankets, warm clothing, food and medicines must also reach Gaza in sufficient quantities, he said.
1.4 million displaced people face winter with little protection
Caritas international had warned of a dramatic winter before the floods. Many tents where people have lived for months are worn out and offer hardly any protection from rain and cold. Around 1.4 million internally displaced people are largely exposed to winter weather.
Together with Caritas Jerusalem and other local partners, Caritas international provides medical care, clean drinking water, hygiene items and psychosocial support.