MA'AN Development Center

Published purpose

June 2025 – Latest reporting from the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs indicates that 92% of housing units (436,000) in Gaza are destroyed (160,000) or damaged (276,000). This resulted in 1.1 million people in need of emergency shelter and household items. Individuals and families are currently housed primarily in schools, other public buildings, and makeshift camps severely overcrowded. Most shelters are made from inadequate materials, leading to poor air circulation and vulnerability to weather-related issues, which in turn pose significant health risks. Displaced families, especially those headed by women, frequently shared shelter space with multiple households, further compounding issues related to privacy, overcrowding, and safety. With GAC`s support, MA`AN helps address the immediate shelter and protection needs of displaced families in Gaza primarily targeting women, children, the elderly, and persons with disabilities. Project activities include: (1) establishing and training Community Relief Committees to enhance local shelter response and coordination; (2) distributing non-food items (NFIs) and shelter kits to displaced individuals, ensuring access to essential household and personal items while addressing sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV)-related needs; (3) supporting emergency shelter adaptation through cash assistance and technical guidance. This enables displaced families to repair and secure their shelters; and (4) implementing SGBV awareness and risk education sessions to enhance conflict-affected communities' knowledge of protection risks, safety threats, and available support.