Almost all Gaza residents need shelter as El Niño threatens flooding, UN agency says

By Olivia Le Poidevin GENEVA, Oct 9 (Reuters) Almost all of Gaza s population need tents or help with shelter ahead of winter, with the El Niño weather phenomenon expected to bring ​heavier rainfall, while supplies remain scarce due to Israeli restrictions, ‌the UN migration agency said on Friday. The El Niño — which could be the strongest ever, according to the UN weather agency — could further weaken unsafe buildings, and cause flooding amid the enclave’s heavily damaged drainage systems, the IOM said. Almost ‌2 ​million people inside the enclave, largely devastated ⁠by the war launched by ⁠Israel in response to Hamas assault in October 2023, require assistance, but only about 17% of the needs for winter shelter supplies have been met by humanitarian actors, IOM Director General ​Amy Pope said. Families who have already endured repeated displacement and devastating loss must be able to face the winter in safety and ⁠dignity, Pope said, adding that constraints ⁠by Israeli authori