Storm clouds over Gaza

A displaced family receives food aid at a displaced camp in northern Gaza. © WFP-Mohamad Al Hinnawi

30 September 2026 - UN teams are racing to protect families in Gaza from the coming rainy season, but restricted access to land and shortages of critical supplies are hampering the effort, UN Spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric said on Wednesday.

Since Monday, partners have assessed three possible sites for temporary shelters for people choosing to leave flood-prone areas or war-damaged buildings at risk of collapse.

They are also examining more than 450 existing displacement sites at high risk of flooding – home to about a fifth of Gaza’s population.

Land and access

Explosive ordnance must be cleared from the new sites before voluntary relocation can happen at scale, Mr. Dujarric said, along with levelling sandy ground and installing drainage, water and lighting.

“The main obstacle is restrictions on access to 65 per cent of Gaza’s land”, he said, adding that the remaining 35 per cent is already overcrowded.

More Israeli approvals are needed to import machinery, spare parts and engine oil, while funding for fuel and shelter is also urgently required.

Meanwhile, health partners are training local medical staff to manage non-communicable diseases, but medicine shortages are limiting early detection and treatment.

“Life-threatening gaps remain in specialized cancer care, including shortages of essential chemotherapy and radiotherapy supplies.” – UN News