UN urges opening of all Gaza crossings to meet winter needs

UN Emergency Relief Coordinator Tom Fletcher has called for all crossings into the Gaza Strip to be opened and for intensified humanitarian efforts to meet the needs of residents during winter, as more than 200,000 people have been affected by rain and flooding that has resulted in several deaths and damaged shelters for over 40,000 families.

The UN official also renewed calls for non-governmental organizations to be allowed to carry out their humanitarian work, for adequate funding to be provided for the winter response plan, and for an end to what he described as collective punishment of Gaza’s population.

Fletcher explained that the organization has warned for months of the urgent need to deliver essential winter supplies to the enclave, noting that ongoing closure of crossings, delays in aid delivery, and reduced funding have worsened the humanitarian situation and exposed residents to severe risks.