Gaza Shelter Crisis Leaves Millions Exposed to Life-Threatening Conditions

The report, titled "Exposed on All Sides," details a crisis where over 80% of households are facing critical or catastrophic conditions. With approximately 92% of residential infrastructure damaged or destroyed, families have been confined to tents and temporary shelters for over a year. The assessment, based on nearly 2,000 interviews, highlights that living environments have deteriorated to the point of endangering lives.

Daily survival has become a health hazard, with half of the surveyed families burning plastic, tires, and garbage to prepare food, leading to toxic smoke exposure. Shelter Cluster national coordinator Jehan Salim noted that current housing fails to provide the basic safety required for hygiene, cooking, or protection. Despite the need, only 1 in 10 households received any form of shelter assistance in the month prior to the study. The humanitarian response remains stifled by limited stock and strict Israeli entry restrictions on materials, which officials claim are necessary to prevent "dual-use" items from aiding Hamas. NRC secretary general Jan Egeland warned that without immediate access to repair materials, the upcoming winter will be catastrophic for those currently living in decaying, makeshift structures.