What is happening in Gaza?
Up to 1.7 million people are displaced across Gaza. Many people are having to live out in the open. People are dying from disease and starvation. This is preventable.
Access to water, food and medicine is very difficult. It’s made worse by fuel shortages. Without electricity, people cannot use lights in the dark evenings, keep warm, or cook food. 2.2 million people are at imminent risk of famine.
The number of people who have died since October now exceeds 34,000 people, including more than 10,000 children. This number is rising all the time.
Where is Gaza?
The Gaza Strip is located on the eastern coast of the Mediterranean Sea. It is bordered by Egypt on the southwest and Israel on the east and north.
Gaza is one of the most densely populated pieces of land on Earth. 2.3 million people live on the narrow strip of land, measuring 141sq miles (41km long / 10km wide). Since 7 October 2023, 80% of homes here have been damaged or destroyed.
With civilians unable to leave, nowhere in Gaza is safe. Families are forced to move again and again in search of safety, but land, sea, and air bombardments are making that near impossible. There are large areas cut off and people are continuously on the move.
How is ShelterBox helping?
We are providing emergency items like tarpaulins and rope, to help people make damaged buildings and other shelters watertight. Blankets, mattresses, pillows and floormats will help people to stay warm. We’re providing washing sets, water carriers, kitchen sets, and items like nappies, toothbrushes, and sanitary items. All vital items for people with no belongings and unable to return to their homes. We are also scaling up our response by providing long-lasting tents.
Together with our partner MAP (Medical Aid for Palestinians), we are sourcing items in Egypt and Türkiye. Some of our aid is now in the convoy of aid trucks waiting to enter Gaza. There are currently around 1,400 trucks in the queue to enter Gaza, as such we expect our aid to be in the queue at least two weeks before it can enter Rafah. More of our aid is expected to join the convoy of trucks shortly.
