Gaza Humanitarian Response Update | 19 January - 1 February 2025

Trucking water to address shortages in the supply resulting from extensive damage to water infrastructure. Photo by UNICEF

[dexp_builder_row class='' equal_height='0' wrapper='0' wrapper_class='' html_id='' background_color='' background_image='file:file:file:' background_type='default' background_position='default' background_repeat='no-repeat' background_size='auto' margin_top='' margin_left='' margin_right='' margin_bottom='' padding_top='' padding_left='' padding_right='' padding_bottom='' border_top='' border_left='' border_right='' border_bottom='' border_color='' border_style='solid' border_radius='' animate='' animate_delay='0'][dexp_builder_col xs='12' sm='12' md='' lg='not-set'][dexp_builder_html class='' background_color='' background_image='file:file:file:file:file:file:file:file:file:file:file:file:file:file:file:file:file:file:file:file:file:file:file:file:file:file:file:file:file:file:file:file:file:file:file:file:file:file:' background_type='default' background_position='default' background_repeat='no-repeat' background_size='auto' margin_top='' margin_left='' margin_right='' margin_bottom='' padding_top='' padding_left='' padding_right='' padding_bottom='' border_top='' border_left='' border_right='' border_bottom='' border_color='' border_style='solid' border_radius='' animate='' animate_delay='0']

Period: 19 January - 1 February 2025

The information below is provided every other week by Clusters and select technical working groups operating in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (OPT), and only captures humanitarian assistance and interventions by or through the UN and its partners.* For an overview of priority needs and activities by cluster, please see the Flash Appeal.

[/dexp_builder_html][/dexp_builder_col][/dexp_builder_row][dexp_builder_row class='' equal_height='0' wrapper='0' wrapper_class='' html_id='' background_color='' background_image='file:' background_type='default' background_position='default' background_repeat='no-repeat' background_size='auto' margin_top='' margin_left='' margin_right='' margin_bottom='' padding_top='' padding_left='' padding_right='' padding_bottom='' border_top='' border_left='' border_right='' border_bottom='' border_color='' border_style='solid' border_radius='' animate='' animate_delay='0' collapse='false'][dexp_builder_col xs='' sm='12' md='not-set' lg='12' xl='not-set' class='' background_color='' background_image='file:file:file:file:file:' background_type='default' background_position='default' background_repeat='no-repeat' background_size='auto' margin_top='' margin_left='' margin_right='' margin_bottom='' padding_top='' padding_left='' padding_right='' padding_bottom='' border_top='' border_left='' border_right='' border_bottom='' border_color='' border_style='solid' border_radius='' custom_css='' animate='' animate_delay='0'][dexp_builder_html class='' background_color='' background_image='file:file:file:file:file:file:file:file:file:file:file:file:file:file:file:' background_type='default' background_position='default' background_repeat='no-repeat' background_size='auto' margin_top='' margin_left='' margin_right='' margin_bottom='' padding_top='' padding_left='' padding_right='' padding_bottom='' border_top='' border_left='' border_right='' border_bottom='' border_color='' border_style='solid' border_radius='' animate='' animate_delay='0']

Food Security Sector (FSS)

[/dexp_builder_html][/dexp_builder_col][/dexp_builder_row][dexp_builder_row class='' equal_height='0' wrapper='0' wrapper_class='' html_id='' background_color='' background_image='file:' background_type='default' background_position='default' background_repeat='no-repeat' background_size='auto' margin_top='' margin_left='' margin_right='' margin_bottom='' padding_top='' padding_left='' padding_right='' padding_bottom='' border_top='' border_left='' border_right='' border_bottom='' border_color='' border_style='solid' border_radius='' animate='' animate_delay='0' collapse='false'][dexp_builder_col xs='' sm='not-set' md='not-set' lg='not-set' xl='not-set' class='ml-5 pl-4' background_color='' background_image='file:file:file:file:file:file:' background_type='default' background_position='default' background_repeat='no-repeat' background_size='auto' margin_top='' margin_left='' margin_right='' margin_bottom='' padding_top='' padding_left='' padding_right='' padding_bottom='' border_top='' border_left='' border_right='' border_bottom='' border_color='' border_style='solid' border_radius='' custom_css='' animate='' animate_delay='0'][dexp_builder_html class='' background_color='' background_image='file:file:file:file:file:file:file:file:file:file:file:file:file:file:file:file:file:file:file:file:file:file:file:file:file:file:file:file:file:file:file:file:file:file:file:file:file:file:file:file:file:file:file:file:file:file:file:file:file:file:file:file:file:file:file:file:file:file:file:file:file:file:file:file:' background_type='default' background_position='default' background_repeat='no-repeat' background_size='auto' margin_top='' margin_left='' margin_right='' margin_bottom='' padding_top='' padding_left='' padding_right='' padding_bottom='' border_top='' border_left='' border_right='' border_bottom='' border_color='' border_style='solid' border_radius='' animate='' animate_delay='0']

Response

Since the ceasefire took effect on 19 January, and as of 31 January, FSS partners assisted about one million people across the Gaza Strip through household-level distributions of food parcels. To help families regain their stability, following months of food shortages, larger food rations are being distributed to families; WFP and partners are providing two food parcels and one 25-kilogramme bag of flour per family and UNRWA is providing two food parcels sufficient for one and a half months to each family registered by the Agency.
In the first week following the ceasefire, approximately 630,000 cooked meals were prepared in 161 kitchens and distributed daily to families across the Gaza Strip; these include one kitchen in Rafah governorate, 86 in Khan Younis, 52 in Deir al Balah, and 22 in Gaza. On 24 January, one community kitchen was re-opened in North Gaza on 24 January, providing 18,000 cooked meals a day. With daily population movements, partners are working to adjust plans for cooked meal provision.
As of 2 February, 16 out of 18 bakeries supported by WFP are operational across the Strip, including six in Deir al Balah, five in Khan Younis, and five in Gaza city. The 11 bakeries in Deir al Balah and Khan Younis began operating at full capacity on 28 January owing to the arrival of sufficient flour supplies; these include seven bakeries that had been closed for nearly two months due to flour shortages and four that have newly received WFP support. On 30 January, after receiving additional fuel, the five bakeries in Gaza governorate increased production by 40 per cent to meet the growing demand from returning internally displaced persons (IDPs). Moreover, partners have expanded bread deliveries to selected shelters and community kitchens, where it is distributed alongside cooked meals for returnees, in addition to making bread available for purchase at five retail shops south of Wadi Gaza to improve bread availability, reduce overcrowding, and ensure safe access. Two WFP-supported bakeries in North Gaza that had been closed due to hostilities remain non-operational.
Since the opening of the Salah ad Din and Al Rashid roads on 27 January - allowing people to return from the south to northern Gaza- FSS partners have distributed thousands of snacks, hot meals and bread to thousands of people at key points along the routes.
On 28 January, a limited amount (around 40 metric tons (MT)) of cooking gas entered the Gaza and North Gaza governorates for the first time in 15 months. Distribution started on 29 January.
During the reporting period, and as of 31 January, partners brought in approximately 310 MT of animal feed. A weekly entry of around 200 MT is planned, aiming to bring in a total of 2,100 MT of fodder concentrate in the coming 10-11 weeks. This support will help livestock-keeping households sustain their surviving animals and contribute to the local production of fresh, nutritious food, such as meat and dairy products—which are essential for a healthy diet, particularly for children.

Challenges

The lack of sustained, large-scale commercial deliveries to complement humanitarian assistance is hampering efforts to improve dietary diversity and stimulate the local economy.
Restrictions on the entry of most agricultural inputs, except for some seeds and animal feed, are hampering the resuming of agricultural activities, including reactivation of vegetable and fruit production and supporting small-scale home, community and school gardening. The sector continues to advocate for the unfettered entry of agricultural inputs, such as seed kits, organic fertilizers and nylon sheets for greenhouses, through both humanitarian and private sector channels, since they are key to enhancing dietary diversity and reducing food gaps in Gaza.
With the influx of thousands of internally displaced people into northern Gaza, there is a need to ensure that enough cooking gas regularly reaches the area.

[/dexp_builder_html][/dexp_builder_col][/dexp_builder_row][dexp_builder_row class='' equal_height='0' wrapper='0' wrapper_class='' html_id='' background_color='' background_image='file:' background_type='default' background_position='default' background_repeat='no-repeat' background_size='auto' margin_top='' margin_left='' margin_right='' margin_bottom='' padding_top='' padding_left='' padding_right='' padding_bottom='' border_top='' border_left='' border_right='' border_bottom='' border_color='' border_style='solid' border_radius='' animate='' animate_delay='0' collapse='false'][dexp_builder_col xs='12' sm='12' md='' lg='not-set'][dexp_builder_row class='' equal_height='0' wrapper='0' wrapper_class='' html_id='' background_color='' background_image='file:' background_type='default' background_position='default' background_repeat='no-repeat' background_size='auto' margin_top='' margin_left='' margin_right='' margin_bottom='' padding_top='' padding_left='' padding_right='' padding_bottom='' border_top='' border_left='' border_right='' border_bottom='' border_color='' border_style='solid' border_radius='' animate='' animate_delay='0' collapse='false'][dexp_builder_col xs='' sm='12' md='not-set' lg='12' xl='not-set' class='' background_color='' background_image='file:file:file:file:file:' background_type='default' background_position='default' background_repeat='no-repeat' background_size='auto' margin_top='' margin_left='' margin_right='' margin_bottom='' padding_top='' padding_left='' padding_right='' padding_bottom='' border_top='' border_left='' border_right='' border_bottom='' border_color='' border_style='solid' border_radius='' custom_css='' animate='' animate_delay='0'][dexp_builder_html class='' background_color='' background_image='file:file:file:file:file:file:file:file:file:file:file:file:file:file:' background_type='default' background_position='default' background_repeat='no-repeat' background_size='auto' margin_top='' margin_left='' margin_right='' margin_bottom='' padding_top='' padding_left='' padding_right='' padding_bottom='' border_top='' border_left='' border_right='' border_bottom='' border_color='' border_style='solid' border_radius='' animate='' animate_delay='0']

Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH)

[/dexp_builder_html][/dexp_builder_col][/dexp_builder_row][dexp_builder_row class='' equal_height='0' wrapper='0' wrapper_class='' html_id='' background_color='' background_image='file:' background_type='default' background_position='default' background_repeat='no-repeat' background_size='auto' margin_top='' margin_left='' margin_right='' margin_bottom='' padding_top='' padding_left='' padding_right='' padding_bottom='' border_top='' border_left='' border_right='' border_bottom='' border_color='' border_style='solid' border_radius='' animate='' animate_delay='0' collapse='false'][dexp_builder_col xs='' sm='not-set' md='not-set' lg='not-set' xl='not-set' class='ml-5 pl-4' background_color='' background_image='file:file:file:file:file:file:' background_type='default' background_position='default' background_repeat='no-repeat' background_size='auto' margin_top='' margin_left='' margin_right='' margin_bottom='' padding_top='' padding_left='' padding_right='' padding_bottom='' border_top='' border_left='' border_right='' border_bottom='' border_color='' border_style='solid' border_radius='' custom_css='' animate='' animate_delay='0'][dexp_builder_html class='' background_color='' background_image='file:file:file:file:file:file:file:file:file:file:file:file:file:file:file:file:file:file:file:file:file:file:file:file:file:file:file:file:file:file:file:file:file:file:file:file:file:file:file:file:file:file:file:file:file:file:file:file:file:file:file:file:file:file:file:file:file:file:file:file:file:' background_type='default' background_position='default' background_repeat='no-repeat' background_size='auto' margin_top='' margin_left='' margin_right='' margin_bottom='' padding_top='' padding_left='' padding_right='' padding_bottom='' border_top='' border_left='' border_right='' border_bottom='' border_color='' border_style='solid' border_radius='' animate='' animate_delay='0']

Response

In the Rafah governorate, the Coastal Municipal Water Utility (CMWU) and six WASH partners are trucking water to returning IDPs in 32 locations and producing water at one water desalination plant to address shortages in the water supply that are due to high levels of damage to water facilities or their presence in currently inaccessible locations in buffer zones. A technical water assessment completed during the reporting period by CMWU found that 50 per cent of 38 ground water wells in Rafah governorate are outside the buffer zone and accessible, of which only five per cent are functional and the rest need repairs; these repairs are commencing. The assessment also found that: three out of nine water reservoirs are accessible but not functional; the wastewater treatment plant, five out of six sewage pumping stations, and five out of six stormwater basins are not accessible and non-functional; and the Sinai-based desalination plant is not operational due to damages to the carrier line and the network.
In Khan Younis governorate, 20 partners are trucking water in 264 locations, including displacement sites, schools-turned shelters, and humanitarian service delivery points. During the reporting period, partners distributed 17,200 hygiene items and supported solid waste management efforts. In total, 513 cubic metres of solid waste were collected in sites and shelters (primary collection) and UNDP transferred 317 cubic metres of solid waste to temporary dumping sites (secondary collection). Although transfer of solid waste to temporary waste sites is increasing, about half are already full and there is no access to landfills.
In Deir al Balah governorate, 21 partners are trucking water to 258 locations, including displacement sites, schools-turned shelters, health care facilities and humanitarian service delivery points. During the reporting period, partners distributed 17,500 hygiene items, collected 128 cubic metres of solid waste, and transferred 421 cubic metres of solid waste to temporary dump sites.
In Gaza governorate, 14 partners are trucking water to 293 locations, including displacement sites, schools-turned shelters, and humanitarian service delivery points. In addition, partners distributed 6,000 hygiene items, collected 34 cubic metres of solid waste, and transferred 95 cubic metres of solid waste to temporary dump sites.
In North Gaza governorate, four partners are trucking water to 32 locations, including displacement sites and shelters, and the Jabalya Camp well #2 has been repaired.
Between 25 and 31 January 2025, the Palestinian Water Authority (PWA) and CMWU reported that a daily average of 97,167 cubic metres of water was produced across the Gaza Strip; this includes 43,151 cubic metres of drinking water produced from the two operational seawater desalination plants or supplied through two of the Mekorot lines and 51,016 cubic metres produced by municipal ground water wells.
In January, UNICEF provided CMWU/PWA with 426,789 litres of fuel, 72 per cent of which were delivered since the ceasefire began, to operate groundwater wells, water treatment units, trucking operations, sewage pumping and repair activities. The teams are working to operate as many functional and accessible water wells as possible, in some cases are using mobile teams to ensure a greater spread of water production. In January, 24 WASH cluster partners operated 886 water points for drinking and domestic water across Gaza. The hardest hit governorates are Rafah and North Gaza, where the focus of aid operations is to expand water production and distribution services.
WASH Cluster partners finalized a technical guidance document for the closure of latrine pits and the cleaning of vacated displacement camps, which are priority activities for public health reasons, especially in Al Masawi area.

Challenges

Massive destruction of water and sanitation infrastructure, particularly in northern Gaza and Rafah, have resulted in a high reliance on water trucking, with partners pumping water from wells that remain operational on a rotational basis to help improve equity in distribution. There are currently few operational water points in most areas of North Gaza, especially Jabalya refugee camp, with most people relying on a few private water wells. The old Kamal water well is supporting approximately 30,000 people, with very long queueing times.
The lack of appropriate materials and equipment (e.g. pumps, generators, consumables, spare parts, cement, sewage pipes) and technical skills as well as fuel shortages, particularly in northern Gaza, are limiting the ability of aid organizations to carry out needed repairs and emergency services, including to re-connect damaged buildings to sewage networks and establish appropriate latrine spaces. If left unaddressed, these challenges will hamper the continuous operation of water and sanitation services. Efforts are underway to strengthen the supply chain for the entry of critical humanitarian items to ensure a strong public health response for families returning to their areas of origin.
The continued denial of access by the Israeli authorities to the Sofa landfill, which is now located in the buffer zone, is preventing agencies from transferring solid waste from the 30 temporary dump sites and numerous persistent ad-hoc sites. Approximately half of the temporary dump sites are already full and unable to receive additional amounts of solid waste. Continued advocacy is needed to secure access to the Sofa landfill to ensure a sanitary environment in southern Gaza and Juhor al Deek area in northern Gaza.

[/dexp_builder_html][/dexp_builder_col][/dexp_builder_row][/dexp_builder_col][/dexp_builder_row][dexp_builder_row class='' equal_height='0' wrapper='0' wrapper_class='' html_id='' background_color='' background_image='file:' background_type='default' background_position='default' background_repeat='no-repeat' background_size='auto' margin_top='' margin_left='' margin_right='' margin_bottom='' padding_top='' padding_left='' padding_right='' padding_bottom='' border_top='' border_left='' border_right='' border_bottom='' border_color='' border_style='solid' border_radius='' animate='' animate_delay='0' collapse='false'][dexp_builder_col xs='12' sm='12' md='' lg='not-set'][dexp_builder_row class='' equal_height='0' wrapper='0' wrapper_class='' html_id='' background_color='' background_image='file:' background_type='default' background_position='default' background_repeat='no-repeat' background_size='auto' margin_top='' margin_left='' margin_right='&#