Today's top news: Occupied Palestinian Territory, Syria

A boy walks on the rubble of demolished homes in Gaza. People continue to live in the remains of apartments such as the one in the background leaving them exposed to the cold. Photo: OCHA

A boy walks on the rubble of demolished homes in Gaza. With very few buildings left standing, people continue to live in the remains of apartments such as the one in the background leaving them exposed to the cold. Photo: OCHA/Zein Tayyeb

#Occupied Palestinian Territory

Gaza reels from winter storms as makeshift shelters torn apart

OCHA reports that thousands of people continue to be affected by recent winter storms.

As of Tuesday, humanitarian partners report that more than 3,000 people are exposed to severe weather after hundreds of tents and makeshift shelters were blown away or severely damaged. More than 60 inhabited buildings could be at risk of collapse in Gaza city.

Since the beginning of the winter season and as of Wednesday, seven children have died from hypothermia, according to the Ministry of Health and our health partners. 

The UN and its partners continue responding to flood alerts by distributing tents, tarpaulins, blankets and warm clothes, as well as nutrition, hygiene and sanitary items across Gaza. Heavy equipment for debris removal, as well as additional plastic sandbags and tools whose entry into Gaza is restricted, are urgently needed.

The UN and its partners continue to scale up the response, despite impediments.

UNICEF says it has reached more than 280,000 people with cash. The agency says that sustained cash support can help malnourished children consume a variety of food.

The Humanitarian Coordinator, Ramiz Alakbarov, wrapped up his visit to Gaza today. He visited the Gaza Power Plant in Nuseirat, which hasn’t functioned since the war began, where he heard of plans to restore electricity to hospitals and wastewater sites if materials and fuel can be accessed. Before leaving Gaza, Dr. Alakbarov visited the Kerem Shalom crossing and saw the fuel being delivered from Egypt into Gaza.

*Donations made to UN Crisis Relief help UN agencies and humanitarian NGOs reach people in Gaza with urgent support.

#Syria

More families return home in Aleppo after clashes

OCHA reports that, as of yesterday, some 58,000 people remain displaced, while nearly 90,000 others have returned to their homes following recent clashes in Aleppo City.

The UN and its humanitarian partners continue to provide food, psychosocial support and other aid to displaced families and those returning.

The Syrian Humanitarian Fund and Syrian Cross Border Fund have allocated $2.5 million through national NGO partners to deliver rapid, life-saving assistance to those who have been uprooted in Aleppo, Afrin and Idleb.

OCHA continues to coordinate with local authorities and humanitarian organizations on the response.

*Donations made to UN Crisis Relief help UN agencies and humanitarian NGOs reach people in Syria with urgent support.