Gaza's displaced face storm disaster with almost nothing

"For 1.5 million Palestinians living under plastic sheets, Storm Byron means more than bad weather. In the large displacement camps of Gaza, rows upon rows of makeshift tents blanket debris, empty lots and what remains of flattened neighbourhoods. With Storm Byron descending upon the enclave, a sense of terror has seized a population already exhausted from two years of Israel's genocidal war with its unrelenting bombardment, starvation and chaos."

"What is certain, though, is that Gaza is not facing this storm with ready infrastructure, stocked shelters or functioning drainage systems. It faces it with tents propped up with pieces of scrap metal, paths that become mud rivers after only one night of rain and families who have nothing left to protect. In the camps of Gaza City, the scenes of vulnerability are everywhere. Most tents are constructed from aid tarpaulins, pieces of plastic salvaged from rubble and blankets tied to recycled wooden poles."

""When the wind starts, we all hold the poles to keep the tent from falling, said Hani Ziara, a father sheltering in western Gaza City after his home was destroyed months ago. His tent was flooded last night in the heavy rain, and his children had to stay outside in the cold. Hani wonders painfully what else he can do to protect his children from the rain and strong winds.""

Storm Byron threatens Gaza's large displacement camps where about 1.5 million Palestinians shelter under plastic sheets and tattered tarps. Makeshift tents and tarpaulins cover debris, empty lots and flattened neighbourhoods, creating widespread vulnerability. Meteorologists warn of heavy rain and strong winds that could cause flash flooding and wind damage across the strip. Gaza lacks ready infrastructure, stocked shelters and functioning drainage systems, leaving tents propped on scrap metal and paths that turn into mud rivers after a single night of rain. Families face exposure, flooding of shelters, and scarce means to protect children from cold and wind.

Read at www.aljazeera.com