Winter aid drive targets 540,000 children in Gaza and West Bank as cold threatens overcrowded shelters

Nearly 84 per cent of Gaza’s population – over 1.76 million people – are confined to cramped displacement camps or shelters that have been damaged by conflict. In such conditions, families are exposed to freezing temperatures, heavy rain and the risk of flooding. The previous winter saw at least eleven children, some infants, succumb to hypothermia. In the West Bank, ongoing violence, restrictions on movement and a deepening financial crisis further erode households’ capacity to withstand cold‑related shocks, raising the likelihood of illness and death among the most vulnerable. These circumstances make the approaching winter a critical humanitarian test for both territories.

To address the looming cold season, UNICEF has launched an appeal for $97.5 million aimed at reaching roughly 540,000 children and their families across Gaza and the West Bank. The requested resources would fund distribution of warm clothing, thermal blankets, digital cash transfers and reinforcement of emergency shelters, as well as the provision of tents. In parallel, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs is earmarking $2 million to supply electricity to health facilities in Gaza for a four‑month period, helping keep essential medical services running throughout winter. These interventions are designed to reduce exposure to cold and prevent disease outbreaks.

UNICEF stresses that the success of the winter plan hinges on flexible and rapid financing, allowing supplies to be pre‑positioned before temperatures drop. Without timely contributions, the agency cannot guarantee delivery of kits, cash assistance or shelter upgrades when they are most needed. Prompt funding would also enable partners to scale up flood‑risk mitigation and disease‑prevention measures, protecting vulnerable populations from secondary hazards. The organization calls on donors to respond quickly, emphasizing that closing the funding gap is essential to avoid further child deaths and to safeguard community health throughout the season.