“OCHA”: Gaza child deaths due to cold major tragedy that could have been avoided

The spokesperson for the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) in the Gaza Strip, Olga Cherevko, considered the deaths recorded among infants and young children due to the severe cold in Gaza “one of the most painful humanitarian tragedies,” emphasizing that losing children due to low temperatures reflects “the extent of harshness faced by the population.”

She confirmed in an interview with the website “Arabi21” on Sunday that these deaths occurred under harsh climatic conditions and repeated storms hitting the Strip, indicating that the current winter was exceptional in its intensity and that thousands of families reside in temporary tents or shelters unsuitable for facing rain, wind, and cold.

She explained that “the most tragic part of these deaths is that they could have been avoided if the necessary means for heating and securing decent shelter were available,” adding that the absence of these means made children the most vulnerable group, especially infants who cannot endure low temperatures for long periods.

Cherevko pointed out that “the scale of shelter need in Gaza is enormous,” explaining that about 1.9 million people need various forms of shelter or improved housing conditions, a number reflecting the “widespread destruction and mass displacement” left by the war.

She said that the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs works with its partners to try to respond to these massive needs, but current capabilities are not proportional to the scale of suffering, and the gap between need and response remains wide.

She explained that the office’s role focuses on “coordination and ensuring harmony in humanitarian efforts,” affirming the office’s keenness to provide necessary tools for all partners to deliver assistance to people affected for nearly two years due to the war.

She added that humanitarian work did not start only after the ceasefire but has been ongoing since the beginning of the war, however, the pace of efforts has notably increased afterward, with intensified coordination between actors to avoid duplication and conflict in aid delivery.

She mentioned that humanitarian teams work around the clock to provide possible assistance, although the scale of needs still far exceeds available capabilities.

Cherevko confirmed that field reports have so far recorded the death of 8 children due to severe cold, noting that this number, despite its apparent limited nature, reflects the danger of the situation if storms and humanitarian work restrictions remain as they are.

She also indicated that “the broader picture is darker,” as estimates indicate that about 1.1 million people urgently need shelter, which goes beyond merely providing tents to include a lack of basic infrastructure for safe living.

She explained that harsh weather conditions, including heavy rains and floods, lead to rapid consumption of limited supplies, increasing the need for support with each new storm.

She mentioned that the crisis is not limited to providing ready-made tents but includes a shortage of construction materials and shelter supplies, in addition to the need for heavy equipment to remove rubble, “but many of these needs are still prohibited from entry until now.”

Cherevko pointed out that “Israeli” restrictions represent a real obstacle to humanitarian work, and every delay in delivering aid increases civilian suffering and endangers their lives.

She affirmed that if humanitarian organizations were allowed to work without obstacles, basic needs could have been met and the lives of thousands of people, especially the most vulnerable groups, could have been protected in a shorter time and with higher efficiency.

Cherevko concluded her talk by emphasizing that the current humanitarian response “remains below the required level,” and lifting restrictions and allowing full humanitarian work remains a fundamental condition to avoid more tragedies and protect civilians, especially children, from the consequences of both cold and war.