Gaza is witnessing an unprecedented crisis of internal displacement and overcrowded shelters as a result of the continued aggression and shelling. More than 1.4 million people have been forced from their homes, representing the majority of Gaza’s population. These huge numbers of displaced people are scattered among emergency shelters, schools, open areas, or even living in rubble and under unsafe temporary roofs. The displacement was not limited to one movement, but the sector witnessed frequent displacement, as residents had to move several times in search of safety.
Dimensions of Internal Displacement and Shelters
Displacement is not just a population movement, it is a relentless process, with the search for safe shelter becoming a daily challenge with shelters and infrastructure repeatedly targeted. The conditions of the shelters in Gaza are one of the most urgent aspects of the humanitarian crisis, as they suffer from severe overcrowding and a severe shortage of all basic necessities of life. Schools that have been turned into shelters are receiving ten times the capacity, exacerbating the living and health conditions of the displaced.
This forced displacement is not limited to the loss of shelter, but includes the disruption of livelihoods and the breakdown of social and economic stability, as thousands of families lose their livelihoods. Mass displacement creates enormous pressure on receiving areas, leading to a decline in basic services such as water, electricity and health care.
The psychological and social consequences of displacement are also among the most serious, as children and women in particular face profound trauma as a result of the loss of security and stability. Studies show that harsh living conditions in shelters have long-term effects on mental health, negatively affecting the educational process and social cohesion.
The most important challenges facing shelters in Gaza
The conditions of shelters in Gaza are one of the most urgent aspects of the humanitarian crisis, as they suffer from severe overcrowding and a severe shortage of all basic necessities of life. Schools that have been turned into shelters receive ten times more capacity, which exacerbates living and health conditions.
1. Lack of shelter and basic materials
Displaced people suffer from a severe lack of adequate shelter; 93% of displaced people’s tents are damaged or collapsed, rendering them unsuitable for accommodation. Nor are the quantities allowed to cover the needs of more than 1.5 million people in need of shelter. The cost of one tent in the local market is estimated at $900-1200, a price far exceeding the capacity of most displaced families who have lost everything.
2. Health deterioration and epidemics
Gaza’s health system is suffering a near collapse. Out of 22 UNRWA health centres, only 6 are operational, leaving thousands of displaced people without basic medical care. Hospitals are suffering from severe shortages of medicines, medical supplies and fuel, some of which have stopped providing services. The lack of clean drinking water, sanitation and cleaning materials has led to a widespread spread of skin and bacterial diseases, threatening a wider health catastrophe.
3. Destroyed infrastructure and communications restrictions
The crisis is exacerbated by continued Israeli strikes targeting tents and infrastructure, further worsening the humanitarian situation. The disruption of communications and the suspension of the movement of goods severely hampers the delivery of assistance and the provision of adequate conditions for the displaced, especially in Gaza City and the north.
4. High costs of displacement
Displaced people face high costs of moving and buying basic necessities. Family and luggage can cost around $1,200, while tents can cost between $900 and $1,200. In addition, some IDPs are forced to rent land to set up tents at a cost of $280-300 per month. These costs forced many families to sell their valuables to cover the costs of displacement.
Effects of shelter conditions on displaced persons
Conditions inside shelters in the Gaza Strip are becoming a growing humanitarian crisis, with displaced people suffering from severe overcrowding that exceeds the capacity of facilities by dozens. This reality is directly reflected in the health situation, with a marked increase in cases of skin and respiratory diseases as a result of poor health environment and lack of proper ventilation.
Humanitarian sources also confirm that the lack of privacy in these centers creates great psychological pressures, especially among women and children, in light of the lack of stability and sense of security. Children in particular face serious difficulties in continuing their education, as schools have become overcrowded shelters, depriving thousands of students of their seats and threatening their educational future.
In addition, shelters are suffering from severe shortages of basic food, medicines and medical supplies, which further exacerbate the health situation and make the humanitarian response limited compared to the scale of the growing needs. According to aid reports, thousands of families are forced to rely on insufficient assistance to cover the minimum requirements of daily life, leaving them with ongoing suffering that worsens with the prolonged displacement.
