The humanitarian crisis in Jenin continues to escalate, with large numbers of people displaced from their homes. Families have fled refugee camps and surrounding areas, leaving behind everything as they search for safety. The ongoing violence has severely disrupted daily life, cutting communities off from basic services and exposing them to harsh winter conditions.
Caritas Jerusalem is working to provide urgent support. During a recent visit to Jenin, Anton Asfar, Secretary General of Caritas Jerusalem, highlighted the scale of the crisis. “There is almost 40,000 internally displaced people from the different refugee camps in the governorate,” he said. Caritas teams have assessed the situation and identified immediate needs, including shelter, heating, food, hygiene kits and dignity kits.
Access to Jenin has become increasingly difficult. Military operations and movement restrictions have made it challenging for humanitarian teams to reach communities in need. “We have been waiting for more than three hours, in the long rows, kilometres of cars, as we’re trying to get out of the area of Jenin, Nablus and surroundings,” said Asfar, describing the delays his team experienced during their visit. These delays reflect the daily reality for thousands of residents and displaced families.
Harsh winter conditions have made an already difficult situation even more challenging. A severe cold front has destroyed crops, and there’s a growing shortage of food. Local farmers have lost much of their harvest, adding to the strain on communities already struggling to meet basic needs.
“The military’s operations, including airstrikes, sieges, and movement restrictions, have led to mass displacement and increased food insecurity,” Asfar explained. “The rise in settler violence and systematic blockages of aid is exacerbating an already dire situation.”
Father Elias Tabban, Latin Parish Priest of Zababdeh, described the impact of the violence on daily life. “Every time we are hoping for the good, we see more and more destruction,” he said. He emphasised the need to help families rebuild their lives. “To live in dignity, to find some jobs, to let them work, to let them gain their life with dignity is one of our priorities.”