UNICEF State of Palestine Winterization Plan 2026 - 2027
For hundreds of thousands of Palestinian children, winter is not simply a seasonal hardship. It can become a life-threatening emergency.
Highlights
In the Gaza Strip, nearly 84 per cent of the population, more than 1.76 million people, continue to live in overcrowded displacement sites or damaged and inadequate shelters, with little protection from cold temperatures, heavy rain and flooding. These conditions expose children to hypothermia, respiratory infections waterborne diseases and other preventable illnesses, while repeated flooding further disrupts access to health care, safe water and essential services, heightening the risk of spread of respiratory infections and other diseases.
In the West Bank, escalating displacement, movement restrictions and the deepening fiscal crisis are further reducing the ability of vulnerable families to cope with winter conditions, leaving displaced and vulnerable children increasingly exposed to cold weather risks.
Infants, young children and children with pre-existing health conditions are particularly at risk. During the last winter in Gaza, at least 11 children, including infants, reportedly died from hypothermia. Without urgent preparation and early action, children already weakened by displacement, malnutrition and repeated illness will face another winter in extremely dangerous conditions.
