What Steps Are UN Humanitarians Taking at the Zikim Crossing in Northern Gaza?
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Synopsis
UN humanitarian teams have begun collecting vital supplies at the reopened Zikim crossing in northern Gaza. With significant aid distributed, they face challenges as winter approaches, emphasizing the urgent need for expanded shelter and food security efforts. This situation highlights the ongoing humanitarian crisis in the region.
Key Takeaways
- UN teams have begun aid collection at Zikim crossing.
- Over 5,400 tonnes of aid collected recently.
- Challenges include insufficient supplies and weather impacts.
- Winter conditions necessitate expanded shelter responses.
- Food distribution is resuming across Gaza.
United Nations, Nov 18 (NationPress) UN humanitarian teams announced that over the weekend they began the process of collecting aid supplies that were offloaded at the recently reopened Zikim crossing in northern Gaza.
The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reported that between Thursday and Sunday, they, along with their partners, gathered more than 5,400 tonnes of essential aid. This included food, tents, tarpaulins, blankets, mattresses, medicine, and animal feed, sourced from all three operational crossings, as per reports from the Xinhua news agency.
On Wednesday, OCHA confirmed Israel's decision to reopen the Zikim crossing, which serves as the only operational aid gateway into the northern Gaza Strip.
OCHA indicated that after heavy rainfall on Friday, humanitarian teams carried out swift assessments of the affected areas over the weekend and initiated the distribution of immediate assistance. It is estimated that over 13,000 families have been affected by the flooding.
According to OCHA's partners focused on shelter, during the weekend, they managed to distribute at least 9,000 tents, 83,000 tarpaulins, and 59,000 blankets, with plans for thousands more in the upcoming days. Despite prompt actions taken to address the needs in rain-impacted regions, efforts are hindered by insufficient volumes of shelter and other vital supplies permitted to enter through the UN-coordinated mechanism.
With temperatures dropping and winter approaching rapidly, OCHA emphasized that humanitarians must be empowered to broaden the shelter response to meet the extensive needs across Gaza.
Furthermore, OCHA's partners in food security reported an increase in the volume of food parcels entering Gaza in recent days, allowing them to resume the distribution of two food parcels and one bag of flour per household across the region.
Earlier last week, aid distributions in the northern region had to be restricted to high-energy biscuits and a single bag of flour per household due to challenges faced by partners in delivering supplies into the area, including the deprioritization of humanitarian cargo at crossings, customs clearance delays, and limited access to northern crossings.
Point of View
It is imperative to highlight the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza. The recent reopening of the Zikim crossing provides a glimmer of hope for aid delivery, yet the vast scale of needs, aggravated by weather conditions, underscores the necessity for increased support and resources. Our commitment remains with the people of Gaza during these challenging times.
NationPress
18/11/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the purpose of the Zikim crossing?
The Zikim crossing serves as a key aid portal into northern Gaza, facilitating the delivery of humanitarian supplies.
How much aid has been collected by the UN?
The UN and its partners have collected over 5,400 tonnes of assistance, including essential items like food and shelter.
What challenges is the UN facing in delivering supplies?
Challenges include inadequate volumes of supplies permitted to enter, customs clearance delays, and limited access to northern crossings.
How are families affected by flooding being assisted?
Humanitarian teams have distributed tents, tarpaulins, and blankets to assist families impacted by flooding.
What is the current food distribution plan in Gaza?
The plan includes distributing two food parcels and one bag of flour per household as food supply volumes increase.
