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Gaza Winter Floods: Why Children and Families Need Protection
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Gaza Winter Floods: Why Children and Families Need Protection

Cold, wet and nowhere dry to sleep. The first major storms of Gaza’s 2026 winter have left displacement camps flooded and families struggling to protect their children.

More than 106,000 people were directly affected by the November rainfall, according to UNICEF. Soaked bedding, cold weather and damaged sanitation create risks that remain after the water begins to drain.

Islamic Help’s team is distributing emergency aid now. Our Gaza Floods Emergency response focuses on practical shelter protection, winter essentials and food assistance.

Why are Gaza’s winter floods dangerous for children?

UNICEF reported that 950,000 displaced people were living in flood exposed areas when the November storms struck. Of these, 400,000 were in places assessed as extremely high risk, with children making up almost half.

A tent can become cold and difficult to use when rain enters through its roof or reaches the floor. Children’s clothes, blankets and mattresses may remain damp after the storm. Babies are particularly vulnerable to losing body heat, and young children have limited control over the conditions in which they sleep.

The UNICEF statement of 9 November 2026 highlights the shelter and sanitation dangers facing displaced families.

What happens when mattresses and blankets get wet?

Wet bedding offers less protection against cold weather. Water removes heat from the body faster than air, so spending long periods in soaked clothes or on damp bedding can increase the risk of dangerous cooling.

The problem is compounded by severe shortages. UN OCHA recorded a need for 1.7 million mattresses in early November, with just 4,993 in stock inside Gaza. Replacement bedding can be difficult for families to obtain.

A winter blanket, dry mattress and better protected tent can help a family respond to the immediate effects of flooding. These measures do not resolve the wider shelter crisis, but they address an urgent need.

How does floodwater affect health and sanitation?

When stormwater mixes with sewage, it can contaminate the places where families sleep, prepare food and care for children. UN OCHA reported that the November floods destroyed 66 latrines and damaged another 618, while drainage and pumping systems were already under strain.

Damp and crowded shelters can also aggravate respiratory symptoms. Children with existing medical conditions may face greater difficulty when services or transport routes are disrupted by heavy rainfall.

These risks show why flood relief needs to combine shelter materials, warmth and practical household essentials. They also explain why wider healthcare and water services remain relevant during a winter emergency.

Islamic Help’s wider Gaza Emergency Aid programme includes food, water and medical assistance. Its separate Surgeons of Gaza programme supports specialist surgical care. These programmes provide context, but they are not interchangeable with the flood appeal.

Why can displacement be especially difficult for children with additional needs?

Children do not all experience emergencies in the same way. Those who rely on regular healthcare, familiar routines or specialist developmental support may face added difficulties when a family is forced to move or loses its shelter.

Islamic Help’s separate Gaza Autism Support Programme describes developmental assessments, therapy and support for caregivers. It is relevant here because flooding can disrupt daily routines and create additional pressure for families already managing complex needs.

Families supporting children with additional needs can face extra challenges when displacement disrupts access to care, familiar routines and a safe place to live.

What supplies can reduce the immediate winter risks?

Relief must match the conditions inside each shelter. Insulated tarpaulins can help close openings in tent material. Sandbag barriers can help keep water away from the tent floor. Blankets and mattresses can replace bedding damaged by the storm, while children’s warm clothing can help families manage colder nights.

The scale of the need is significant. UN OCHA reported more than 6,000 family shelters destroyed and another 17,400 damaged by 8 November. More than 3,900 households were reported to have no shelter at all.

Our companion article explains what happened in the Gaza floods and why emergency shelter is so scarce.

How is Islamic Help responding to families affected by flooding?

Islamic Help’s own team in Gaza is distributing emergency aid now. In the first phase, the team is working to reach 4,200 families, representing 21,000 people, across Gaza City, Khan Younis, Deir al Balah, Nuseirat and Al Mawasi.

The team speaks with each family about its needs and delivers direct assistance. The response plan includes shelter materials, household winter supplies, children’s clothing, lighting and emergency food.

The first phase aims to reach 4,200 families. Confirmed distribution totals should be reported separately as the response progresses.

How can you help children and families during the Gaza floods?

The Gaza Floods Appeal provides four approved donation options:

£25 can provide a winter blanket. Emergency Zakat eligible.

£70 can seal and insulate a flooded tent. Emergency Zakat eligible.

£100 can protect a family tent with sandbag barriers. Emergency Zakat eligible.

£300 can provide a new family tent. Emergency Zakat eligible.

Prices are averages; any surplus is used for flood and winter aid in Gaza where it is most needed.

Or type any amount. Every pound counts. Emergency Zakat eligible.

If you want to understand the donation process before contributing, read our UK guide to donating to Gaza flood victims.

Help families stay dry, warm and protected

Winter has only just begun. Families need somewhere dry to sleep and practical protection against further rain. Islamic Help’s team is responding now.

Donate to the Gaza Floods Appeal. Emergency Zakat eligible.

Sources and reporting dates

UNICEF, Three Children Killed as Heavy Rains Batter Displaced Families in Gaza, 9 November 2026

UN OCHA, Heavy Rains in the Gaza Strip, situation report for 8 November 2026

UN OCHA, Humanitarian Situation Report, 5 November 2026

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

  • How do Gaza's winter floods affect babies and young children?
    The floods leave some families with soaked bedding, damp clothing and temporary shelters that cannot keep out rain. Babies lose body heat more quickly than adults, so prolonged exposure to cold and wet conditions is particularly concerning. Dry blankets, protected shelter and suitable winter clothing can help reduce immediate exposure.
  • Can floodwater increase the risk of illness in displacement camps?
    Yes. Floodwater mixed with sewage can contaminate shelter floors and belongings, while damaged latrines create additional sanitation problems. UN OCHA recorded 66 latrines destroyed and 618 damaged during the November storms. Damp, overcrowded shelters can also aggravate respiratory symptoms, making safe shelter and hygiene support especially important.
  • Why does replacing a wet mattress matter during winter?
    A soaked mattress can leave someone lying on a cold, damp surface for hours. Dry bedding helps provide insulation and a more usable sleeping space. Gaza faced a severe shortage of mattresses before the storm, so replacing damaged household items is an important part of practical winter flood assistance.
  • What can help stop floodwater entering a family tent?
    Insulated tarpaulins can help seal damaged tent fabric, while sandbag barriers can hold back water at ground level. These measures can reduce immediate exposure, but they do not guarantee protection in severe storms. Islamic Help’s flood response includes both tent protection and new family tents for households whose shelter has been lost.
  • How can I donate to help children affected by Gaza's floods?
    You can support Islamic Help’s Gaza Floods Appeal, which funds a combined emergency flood and winter response. Approved donation options can support blankets, tent sealing, sandbag barriers and new shelters. The team assesses family needs directly. Every item in this appeal is Emergency Zakat eligible, and supporters can enter another amount.

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