Survey Findings

This article presents the findings of a field survey examining winter-related challenges, preparedness, safety, and humanitarian needs among displaced households living in temporary shelters. The results reveal severe structural, material, and health vulnerabilities during the winter season, with limited preparedness and insufficient assistance. The findings underscore the urgent need for targeted winterization interventions, particularly for children and families residing in tents.

Introduction

Winter conditions pose significant risks to displaced populations living in temporary shelters, especially in contexts marked by infrastructure collapse, limited resources, and restricted access to humanitarian aid. This study aims to document the primary challenges faced during winter, levels of preparedness, perceived safety, health impacts, and priority needs, with the goal of informing evidence-based humanitarian responses.

Methodology

A structured survey was administered to displaced households residing in tented or temporary accommodations. The questionnaire focused on geographic background, winter-related challenges, preparedness for heavy rainfall, access to winter assistance, health impacts, perceived safety during storms, and urgent needs for children. Data are presented descriptively using percentages to reflect the distribution of responses.

Results

Geographic Background

The vast majority of respondents originated from the Gaza Strip (95.99%), while a small proportion reported origins outside the Gaza Strip (2.59%), and a minority selected other locations (1.42%).

Major Winter Challenges

Respondents identified lack of winter clothing and blankets as the most significant challenge (45.99%). Water leakage and flooding of tents followed closely (36.32%). Difficulty heating shelters due to fuel and electricity shortages was reported by 9.43%, while 6.6% cited the absence of basic infrastructure such as sanitation and access to clean water. Other challenges accounted for 1.65%.

Preparedness for Heavy Rainfall

More than half of respondents (57.31%) reported that they were waiting for assistance from humanitarian organizations to cope with heavy rains. Approximately one-quarter (24.53%) indicated they were not prepared and dealt with conditions as they occurred. Reliance on personal or improvised solutions was reported by 9.67%, while 7.08% cited other coping mechanisms.

Access to Winter Assistance

An overwhelming majority of respondents (87.5%) reported receiving no winter-related assistance. A further 10.85% stated that they received only a small portion of their needs, which was insufficient. Only 0.71% indicated that their winter needs were adequately met, while 0.94% selected other responses.

Impact of Winter on Family Health

The most frequently reported health impact was the spread of cold-related illnesses (39.39%). Deterioration of existing health conditions was reported by 29.01%, while 29.25% highlighted increased difficulty in caring for children and elderly family members. A very small proportion (0.94%) reported no health impact to date, and 1.42% reported other effects.

Urgent Needs for Children

Warm clothing and shoes were identified as the most urgent need for children during winter (81.84%). Nutritional support to cope with cold conditions was reported by 12.26%. Preventive healthcare needs accounted for 3.07%, while access to educational spaces was cited by 1.42%. Other needs represented 1.42%.

Safety Inside Tents During Storms

A majority of respondents (62.26%) reported that their tents could collapse at any moment during storms. Water leakage causing damage to personal belongings and food supplies was reported by 30.42%. Only 3.07% considered their tents relatively strong but in need of reinforcement, while 2.83% described their shelters as safe with no major issues. Other concerns accounted for 1.42%.

Discussion

The findings reveal a convergence of material deprivation, structural insecurity, and health risks during the winter season. The dominance of unmet basic needs—particularly clothing, shelter integrity, and heating—highlights systemic gaps in winterization responses. The heavy reliance on anticipated humanitarian assistance, coupled with extremely low reported sufficiency of aid, suggests both inadequate coverage and delayed response. Children emerge as a particularly vulnerable group, with warm clothing overwhelmingly identified as the top priority.

Conclusion

This survey demonstrates that displaced households face acute and multidimensional challenges during winter, characterized by unsafe shelter conditions, limited preparedness, and insufficient humanitarian support. Addressing these gaps requires urgent, coordinated interventions focused on shelter reinforcement, winter clothing distribution, health protection, and child-centered assistance. Percent-based evidence from this study provides a critical foundation for prioritizing winter response strategies in displacement settings.