Gaza: UNICEF issues an appeal to save 540,000 children from the perils of winter
In the Gaza Strip, almost 84 per cent of the population – according to a statement from the organisation – continues to live in overcrowded displacement centres or in damaged and unsuitable accommodation, leaving families with little protection from the elements
UNICEF is urging its partners to provide flexible and timely funding to cover the US$97.5 million needed to protect 540,000 children and their families in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank from freezing cold, heavy rain, flooding and other life-threatening winter conditions.
In the Gaza Strip, almost 84 per cent of the population – according to a statement from the organisation – continues to live in overcrowded displacement centres or in damaged and unsuitable accommodation, leaving families with little protection from the elements.
In the West Bank, violence, displacement, restrictions on freedom of movement and the worsening financial crisis are undermining the ability of vulnerable families to cope with the hardships of winter. Newborns, young children and those with pre-existing medical conditions are at greater risk of hypothermia, respiratory infections, waterborne diseases and other preventable illnesses.
“For hundreds of thousands of children, winter is not simply a seasonal challenge,” said Jonathan Veitch, UNICEF’s Special Representative for the State of Palestine. “The winter months pose a further threat to children’s survival and well-being,” he added.
UNICEF’s winter response, covering the period from October 2026 to March 2027, prioritises children and families affected by displacement and inadequate housing, as well as those at risk from flooding, extreme cold and disruptions to essential services. Urgent funding is needed to ensure a comprehensive response, as regional instability continues to hamper production and the availability of certain winter supplies remains unpredictable.
