MSF GAZA: Storm Byron: Tents flooded in Gaza
Heavy winds and rains from storm Byron have left the Gaza Strip flooded. Last night was especially difficult. MSF is extremely concerned about the impact the weather conditions will have.
Caroline Seguin, Emergency Coordinator in Gaza, sent voice notes describing the dire situation. Please find below a transcript and the voice notes which are available for use:
Caroline Seguin, Emergency Coordinator in Gaza:
"Last night has been very difficult in Gaza. The storm destroyed already damaged buildings and killed many people. There has been even one child that has died from cold and many tents have flooded during the night.
Last night it was flooding inside the tent. People were having the things in the water, the mattress, the clothes were wet and it was very very very cold. I have one colleague that told me that she's more worried about the winter coming rather than the bombing now because of the terrible living conditions inside Gaza today.
MSF is very very worried about the next month with the winter coming and the heavy rain.
Last year we saw a huge increase in respiratory infections for children, diarrhea as well, and of course all the wounded that are living inside the tents will have big difficulties to heal their wounds and will have probably an increase of infection for the wound of the wounded.
Within the last 2 years of war, we have many people that has been amputated who are and who have wheelchairs. So it's near to be not possible to live in this conditions.
It's also very hard for the newborn knowing that with the last famine we have a lot of children that are born with low weight, so they are very very fragile. Begin life in this condition under tent that are floating is very difficult for them and could compromise even their life."