The United Nations is accelerating emergency assistance for Gaza, releasing a critical $18 million in funding to address the devastating impact of recent heavy rains and the looming winter season. UN officials announced the fast-tracked aid on Tuesday, November 18, 2025.
Urgent Allocation for Critical Needs
Approved by UN Humanitarian Coordinator Ramiz Alakbarov, the funds will be channeled through the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA). This substantial allocation is designated for more than 30 projects focused on delivering life-saving essentials. The relief efforts will directly provide food, nutrition, clean water, healthcare services, emergency shelter, and protection for the vulnerable population.
A Deepening Humanitarian Catastrophe
The urgency of the situation was underscored by UN humanitarian chief Tom Fletcher during a visit to Sudan. He reported that Palestinians across Gaza are cold, soaked from the rains, and facing rising frustration as floods destroy the little they have left. Fletcher emphasized that aid access must be urgently expanded to bring in more assistance to stem the suffering.
Humanitarian groups are actively distributing tents, tarpaulins, and other essential supplies while continuously assessing the evolving needs on the ground. In a sign of fragile progress, the health infrastructure is seeing some recovery. As of Sunday, 219 health service points were operating in Gaza, a notable increase from fewer than 200 in October. This network includes 12 primary health centers, six medical points, and four hospitals in the north.
Vaccinations and Meals Amid the Crisis
Despite the challenges, specific aid campaigns are showing results. OCHA reported that in the first five days of a vaccination campaign launched on November 9, more than 7,000 children under the age of 3 were vaccinated. Furthermore, aid partners achieved a significant milestone on Saturday, serving more than 1.3 million meals through a network of 195 community kitchens run by over two dozen organizations.
