Displaced demand fairness for camps north of Rafah as aid declines

Hundreds of displaced people held a protest in the Fash Farsh area northwest of Rafah, demanding fair access to relief aid for displaced camps, amid a decline in humanitarian response and UN warnings of gaps in winter response.

Hundreds of displaced people held a protest on Saturday in the Fash Farsh area northwest of Rafah, demanding fair access to relief aid for displaced camps. This protest comes amid a decline in humanitarian response and continued interruption of aid to camps and shelters for long periods. Protesters complained about deteriorating living conditions, calling on international institutions, civil society organizations, and donors to take responsibility, especially with winter approaching and the risks it poses to families living in tents and temporary shelters. The United Nations warns of significant gaps in the winter response in the Gaza Strip; OCHA reported on September 25 that 451 displacement sites have been identified as at risk of flooding, hosting about 464,402 people. It indicated that the current stock and ongoing purchases of tents, blankets, and shelter closure supplies are only sufficient for about 50,000 families. The organization explained that funding shortages limit the ability of humanitarian actors to prepare for winter, as funding for the site management and shelter sector had only reached 2% and 26% respectively of the required needs under the 2026 humanitarian appeal by September 18. Participants demanded the acceleration of providing tents, shelter supplies, and heating, along with food and health packages, warning of worsening suffering for displaced families with heavy rain and cold. They also called for addressing the water and lighting crises, amid continued drinking water scarcity and weak basic services. Participants affirmed that their protest aims to draw the attention of the international community and relief institutions to the deteriorating humanitarian situation.