A United Nations agency declared a state of "emergency" in Gaza City on Thursday, after two days of heavy rains and flooding in the war-ravaged Palestinian enclave.
"Hundreds of residents in the flooded areas around Sheikh Radwan storm water lagoon have evacuated their homes," the UN agency for Palestinian refugees said, referring to a northern district.
Some 100,000 Palestinians throughout Gaza remain homeless three months after a ceasefire ended a bloody 50-day war between Israel and Hamas militants, with reconstruction yet to begin.
While no casualties have been reported from the flooding, UNRWA said it was supplying "emergency fuel to municipalities, water, sanitation and health facilities".
Robert Turner, its director of operations in Gaza,said the agency was "very concerned about such severe storms this early in the season and on the back of unprecedented damage and destruction" from the war.
Thousands of Gazans were displaced last December after torrential rain hit the coastal territory, UNRWA said.
"Such devastation exacerbates the already poor humanitarian situation for refugees and non-refugees in Gaza, which is dealing with the aftermath of a recent conflict and an acute fuel and energy crisis," it said.
Little construction materials have entered Gaza following a UN-brokered deal under which Israel eased an eight-year blockade of Gaza.
According to a foreign diplomatic source, the mechanism for delivering materials has "taken longer than anticipated" to launch.
GMT 19:57 2018 Tuesday ,23 January
Farm-fresh from Kerala to the UAE, in just one dayGMT 15:20 2018 Sunday ,21 January
Littering with a cigarette stub can cost you Dh500 in DubaiGMT 16:19 2018 Friday ,12 January
Three earthquakes hit Iraqi-Iranian borderGMT 10:19 2018 Friday ,05 January
Hundreds of Gazans protest electricity cutsGMT 08:07 2017 Sunday ,24 December
Gaza zookeeper puts lion cubs up for saleGMT 19:05 2017 Tuesday ,28 November
UAE providing ideal environment for maritime multinationalsGMT 22:34 2017 Monday ,27 November
Lebanese ready to go to any depth to tackle garbage crisisGMT 18:04 2017 Sunday ,26 November
DEWA named main sponsor of Dubai Forum for GovernmentMaintained and developed by Arabs Today Group SAL.
All rights reserved to Arab Today Media Group 2021 ©
Maintained and developed by Arabs Today Group SAL.
All rights reserved to Arab Today Media Group 2021 ©
Send your comments
Your comment as a visitor