Rome, 9 Nov. (LaPresse) – The severe flooding that has hit Gaza in recent hours is exacerbating an already unprecedented humanitarian crisis, with over 100,000 people now displaced and without shelter. “At this moment, the humanitarian situation in Gaza is dire and the death toll could rise further. Just last night, six people – a mother with two children and three other children from the same family – lost their lives when the sand embankment that was supposed to protect them gave way, sweeping away their tent. They were one of thousands of families displaced in the central part of the Strip. The flooding has already forced over 100,000 people to flee, leaving them, yet again, without shelter. Many have nowhere safe to go, as over 65 per cent of the territory has been made inaccessible by Israel,” said Paolo Pezzati, spokesperson for humanitarian crises at Oxfam Italia. To assist the affected population, our teams and local partners are carrying out emergency work on the rainwater drainage networks, distributing sandbags and providing essential equipment to repair water and sanitation infrastructure. We are also clearing mud from areas housing displaced people, unblocking sewerage systems and repairing water pumping stations. However, the needs are immense and are growing by the hour. To prevent further casualties as winter sets in, shelters, spare parts and pipework are urgently needed,” he added.
Oxfam: 100,000 people displaced by flooding in Gaza
Rome, 9 Nov. (LaPresse) – The severe flooding that has hit Gaza in recent hours is exacerbating an already unprecedented humanitarian crisis, with over 100,000 people now displaced and without shelter. “At this moment, the humanitarian situation in Gaza is dire and the death toll could rise further. Just last night, six people – a mother with two children and three other children from the same family – lost their lives when the sand embankment that was supposed to protect them gave way, sweeping away their tent. They were one of thousands of families displaced in the central part of the Strip. The flooding has already forced over 100,000 people to flee, leaving them, yet again, without shelter. Many have nowhere safe to go, as over 65 per cent of the territory has been made inaccessible by Israel,” said Paolo Pezzati, spokesperson for humanitarian crises at Oxfam Italia. To assist the affected population, our teams and local partners are carrying out emergency work on the rainwater drainage networks, distributing sandbags and providing essential equipment to repair water and sanitation infrastructure. We are also clearing mud from areas housing displaced people, unblocking sewerage systems and repairing water pumping stations. However, the needs are immense and are growing by the hour. To prevent further casualties as winter sets in, shelters, spare parts and pipework are urgently needed,” he added.