Charity confirms support for displaced people
People affected by the conflict in Gaza are set to receive support from the Cornish based international charity, ShelterBox.
It says more than 3.1 million people are in need across Gaza and the West Bank. It adds almost 1.4 million people are sheltering in designated shelters, such as schools, but that many others are living in makeshift collective shelters – or out in the open.
It’s envisaged the aid, including emergency shelters and essential items, will help thousands of men, women and children.
The charity will be providing tarpaulins, rope and other items so that people can make temporary repairs to damaged buildings.
The aim of the equipment will be to help keep them watertight and protect them from the weather. ShelterBox will be working in partnership with Medical Aid for Palestinians (MAP).
The team says the humanitarian need is growing as nearly two million people are facing chilling winter temperatures.
‘Up to 1.9 million people were uprooted from their homes over a two-month period – the scale of the crisis is huge,’ says Haroon Altaf, ShelterBox’s Regional Director for the Middle East and North Africa (MENA).
‘Let us not forget that behind every number are individuals – children, women, men – who have a name, a family, a story.’
‘Winter makes things harder in every emergency’
‘People are at increasing risk from disease, hunger, and the cold. Winter makes things harder in every emergency. It’s cold and wet and people don’t have what they need to protect themselves or their families from the harsh winter weather.’
As well as emergency shelter, ShelterBox and MAP will be providing blankets, mattresses, pillows and floor mats to try to help people stay warm.
The aid package will include washing sets, water carriers, kitchen sets along with key hygiene items. These are expected to include: nappies, toothbrushes, sanitary items, and soap.
The charity continues to say that people face severe overcrowding and that disease is spreading – which is placing extra strain on the already overwhelmed health system.
Getting aid into countries and on to where it’s needed during times of conflict can be difficult, especially with damage to infrastructure and supply routes.
Access to Gaza is limited, so to provide support to people displaced, ShelterBox is partnering with MAP – a medical organisation that was already working in Gaza before the war started.
‘Getting aid into Gaza is challenging. It is slow and unpredictable, with border crossings often closed at short notice. The situation is complex, but we intend that our aid will reach people via the Rafah border crossing between Egypt and Gaza,’ says Jonty Ellaby, ShelterBox’s Programme Manager for Gaza.
‘Supplies of food, water, and medicine are prioritised for entry, with aid moved into Gaza from Egypt and Jordan via Rafah or the Kerem Shalom border crossing between Israel and Gaza.’
ShelterBox has previous experience of getting aid into Gaza having worked there in 2004, 2008 and 2015. In 2015, ShelterBox distributed emergency shelter aid, thermal blankets and winter clothing to people in Gaza.
Supporting ShelterBox will help people affected displaced in Gaza and other disasters around the world. The charity believes it can have the most impact for communities by staying flexible.
It allows ShelterBox to restock its warehouses ready for the next disaster and provide support to people affected by extreme weather, conflict, and climate crises around the world.