People who have been forced to leave their homes in Gaza are going through unbearable hardships because the seawater has washed away their makeshift tents in the Mawasi area in Gaza. These people are exposed to various elements because the rising tides washed away their shelters, which were inadequate to protect them against the cold and rain.
The Plight of Displaced Families in Mawasi gaza
My tent is worn out and does not protect me from the rain and cold. Anyone who goes out of the tent slips and falls. If it drizzles, the tent gets soaked. We have no tarps, nylon, or anything to protect us. It’s the beginning of winter, and we have soaked up. My children are unable to recover from diarrhea and vomiting because of the cold. How can a piece of nylon protect us? The tent is filled with rainwater. I have little children. Where should I go with them?
Enough, people, enough help us! Help us!
Nour Al-Ghazzawi - A mother residing in the Tents of Mawasi area.
Displaced families and their children had to find refuge in crowded, flooded areas. The ongoing conflict has displaced these people many times; they are helpless and bound to live in tents without proper sanitation.
The situation in Mawas shows how vulnerable the homeless people are in Gaza. According to UN news, over 1.6 million Gazans are living in makeshift shelters, and flooding has made their lives even worse by destroying their belongings and basic safety nets.
What’s Going on in Al-Mawasi
People are living in dire conditions in the Al-Mawasi area of Khan Younis and enduring a lack of food, heating, shelter, and basic necessities needed to survive.
Increasing sea levels and continuous storms have badly damaged and washed away the makeshift tent, leaving families out in the cold and messy conditions.
There are almost 135,000 tents for homeless people in Gaza. The Government Media Office reported that 100,000 tents of them are worn out and entirely unfit for use, especially after a year of war and displacement.
Winter’s Looming Threats
Food, clean water, warm clothes, and medical supplies are the most basic necessities of survival. Without them, families in Mawasi have to fight hunger and illness in the worst situation. Children are getting diseases and respiratory problems due to not getting enough food.
A mother, Mai Muhammad Youssef Jaziria, lives in a tent and has a child suffering from malnutrition due to a lack of medicine and food.
We are feeding the child water with bread because his food is no longer available in the market. Even the water we give him now boils, as there is no longer filtered water like we used to have before. Before the war, my child used to drink the best, most expensive milk, and everything he needed was available. But today, nothing is available for him. My child has been suffering from cerebral palsy since birth. The day we were displaced, we have been struggling, and my son has not been able to get his complete treatment.
A Father's Desperate Struggle in the Mawasi Area
Yousef, a father of four, lives in a worn-out tent near the shores of the Mawasi area in Gaza. His tent is fragile with holes, and the sandbags meant to protect his family from rising seawater have crushed under the pressure of the waves.
Yousef shared:
“The waves tore through our barriers and drenched everything. Our blankets, clothes, and food were soaked. My children were shivering all night, and I had nothing to keep them warm.”
Yousef’s youngest daughter, Aleena, who is just five, fell ill after spending the night in freezing conditions. With no access to proper medical care, he feels helpless watching her struggle.
“All I want is to give my children a safe place to sleep and protect them from this misery.”
With the winter deepening, their survival depends on immediate aid and support. Thousands of families like Yousef’s are braving the cold without adequate shelter.
Together, We Can Bring Relief & Shelter
Together, we can help these people so they can feel safe, warm, and hopeful. Support our Winter Appeal and Gaza Emergency Appeal today to protect displaced families in Mawasi from life-threatening winter conditions and help provide necessities. Your donations can provide vital supplies like blankets, clothing, and food, ensuring a safer winter for Gaza’s most vulnerable.
