Storm byron floods Gaza camps, risking nearly 795,000 displaced

Heavy rainfall from Storm Byron has caused severe flooding in multiple displacement sites across the Gaza Strip, putting nearly 795,000 displaced Palestinians at direct risk according to a Friday statement from the International Organization for Migration (IOM). The UN agency warned that the precarious living conditions in overcrowded shelters have been critically exacerbated by the landfall of the storm, which previously affected Greece and Cyprus.

Aid Response Overwhelmed

The IOM reported that even moderate rainfall now "quickly becomes dangerous" in the densely packed tent camps, where basic infrastructure is decimated. Despite distributing over one million shelter items—including tents and tarps—since October, the agency stated these materials "cannot withstand flooding." Critical supplies like sandbags, water pumps, and construction tools, essential for reinforcing shelters, face severe delays due to access restrictions.

Voices from the Ground

IOM Director General Amy Pope emphasized the human toll, stating, "People in Gaza have lived through loss and fear for far too long... They deserve more than this uncertainty. They deserve safety." She stressed that "immediate and unhindered access is essential" for effective response. Echoing this, Haitham Aqel of the Palestinian Housing Council described scenes of widespread damage, noting, "We used sandbags to create drainage, but many people’s bedding and mattresses were damaged as water entered through worn-out tents."

Deepening Humanitarian Catastrophe

The storm compounds an already dire humanitarian crisis stemming from months of conflict. Displaced families, many living in exposed makeshift shelters, have little protection from the elements or rising water levels. The situation highlights the urgent need for a durable ceasefire and the unimpeded flow of robust humanitarian aid and reconstruction materials to prevent further loss of life and suffering.