Today's top news: Afghanistan, Myanmar, Occupied Palestinian Territory, Yemen, Sudan, Colombia
#Afghanistan
UN Relief Chief visits Afghanistan as funding cuts heighten humanitarian crisis
The Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, Tom Fletcher, met the de facto Foreign Minister in Afghanistan, Amir Khan Muttaqi, in Kabul yesterday. They discussed how climate change is deepening the humanitarian challenges facing the country, as well as progress made in tackling insecurity and drugs. Fletcher stressed that the plight of Afghan women remains a top priority, underscoring that development is impossible without girls’ education and full participation.
Across Afghanistan, some 23 million people – more than half of the population – need life-saving assistance this year, at a time when the UN and partners are grappling with deep funding cuts. In a social media post, Fletcher said the UN remains determined to deliver for the Afghan people.
Today, the Under-Secretary-General met with humanitarians who deliver critical aid in the country.
Fletcher also met with the de facto Minister of the Economy, Din Mohammad Hanif, and Deputy Prime Minister for Administrative Affairs, Abdul Salam Hanafi. They discussed the impact of funding cuts on aid programmes, the need to reduce bureaucratic restrictions, the crucial role of women in the humanitarian response, and the ongoing arrival of Afghan returnees from Pakistan.
#Myanmar
More support needed for survivors, one month after earthquakes hit Myanmar
The Humanitarian Coordinator ad interim in Myanmar, Marcoluigi Corsi, called today in a statement for increased support for the humanitarian response as – one month after devastating earthquakes struck the country – more than 6 million people need urgent assistance in the most affected areas.
In some of the hardest-hit places, many people remain too afraid to go back into their homes, worried they could collapse at any moment with the ongoing aftershocks. At least 55,000 homes were damaged or destroyed by the earthquakes. Countless people continue to live out in the open, some in makeshift tents, exposed to harsh weather and serious protection risks.*
The earthquakes have pushed those already vulnerable – among them women, children, physically disabled, older people and marginalized communities – even deeper into crisis.
The UN and its partners, alongside local organizations, continue to deliver life-saving assistance.** Since the earthquakes, at least 600,000 people have been reached with safe water, sanitation and hygiene support. Nearly half a million people received food assistance, and more than 115,000 people received emergency shelter and essential household and relief items.
This is a critical moment for the response. Additional and quick disbursement of resources and sustained access to all communities are vital to ensure that the situation does not deteriorate even further for people already living with severe needs.
*OCHA B-roll showing the impact of the earthquakes and interviews with humanitarians working to support those affected are available in OCHA’s Media Centre.
**Donations made to UN Crisis Relief help UN agencies and humanitarian NGOs reach people in Myanmar with urgent support.
#Occupied Palestinian Territory
Deadly hostilities, supply shortages deepen civilian suffering in Gaza
OCHA says ongoing Israeli attacks in Gaza have reportedly killed or injured scores of Palestinians in recent days and damaged civilian infrastructure.
OCHA stresses once again that under international humanitarian law, civilians – including aid workers – must be protected.
Humanitarian operations continue to be severely constrained due to the ongoing military operations, as well as the blockade of aid and commercial goods, which become total more than eight weeks ago. As stocks dwindle, partners are doing everything possible to reach people with whatever supplies are still available.
Partners report that over the weekend, 16 additional community kitchens had to close, despite their efforts to adjust menus, reduce portions or mobilize support from the community. More kitchens are expected to close this week as they run out of supplies. People in Gaza rely on these meals as their only consistent source of food assistance. Last week, the World Food Programme announced the depletion of its stocks, warning it would force kitchens to close within days.
OCHA reiterates that Israel, as the occupying power, has clear obligations under international law, which include ensuring food, medical supplies and public health services are available, and facilitating humanitarian relief when these are not otherwise supplied.
Meanwhile, there has been an increase in reports of looting incidents, amid the desperate humanitarian situation and lack of commodities. Over the weekend, armed individuals reportedly looted a truck in Deir al Balah and a warehouse in Gaza city.
As more than 2 million people face severe food shortages, the UN and its partners say the latest famine review analysis by the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) started this week.
Across Gaza, humanitarian partners warn that the nutrition situation is worsening. Since the start of the year, about 10,000 cases of acute malnutrition among children have been identified, including 1,600 cases of severe acute malnutrition. Although treatment supplies remain available in southern Gaza, operational and security restrictions make efforts to access them extremely challenging.
Meanwhile, thousands more families are estimated to have fled in response to another displacement order issued by Israeli forces on Friday for western areas of Gaza governorate.
Partners supporting water, sanitation and hygiene services report that while they continue to provide water through more than a dozen distribution points, there has been a 20 per cent reduction in water production over the past three weeks due to fuel being inaccessible or located in hard-to-reach areas, which is affecting extraction from groundwater wells.
In April, partners distributed about 1,000 hygiene kits and installed some 50 latrines. However, these quantities fall far short of what is needed, given that half of Gaza’s population lacks safe sanitation facilities. Meanwhile, there are thousands of latrines awaiting entry outside of Gaza.
OCHA stresses that the depletion of critical stocks in Gaza goes beyond food. One example is trauma-related medical supplies, which are running out at a time when the number of people injured in mass casualty incidents continues to increase. There is a lack of surgical supplies, including gowns, drapes and gloves. The World Health Organization’s warehouse has run out of therapeutic milk, intravenous antibiotics and painkillers, as well as spare parts for ambulances and oxygen stations.
Humanitarian partners also warn that an increasing number of critical staff are being denied access to Gaza. There has been an increase in denials of entry for emergency medical teams, particularly highly specialized professionals – including orthopedic and plastic surgeons – and a restriction of movement across Gaza. Partners report that since the collapse of the ceasefire, two in every three entry applications for such personnel have been denied by the Israeli authorities.
Meanwhile, last week’s displacement orders affected learning for more than 2,500 students and dozens of teachers. The directives also hindered access to urgently needed mental health support and recreational activities for children. Since the end of the ceasefire, more than 90,000 students and 2,000 teachers have been affected by the displacement orders.
Yesterday in Gaza governorate, OCHA and its partners carried out an assessment at a collective centre that was reportedly hit by an Israeli air strike on Friday. Nine families reported witnessing their relatives being injured, and three families said they lost their shelter and belongings. Efforts are ongoing to mobilize assistance. However, for humanitarians to be able to respond at the scale needed, the crossings into Gaza must be re-opened for the entry of aid and commercial goods.
#Yemen
Dozens of migrants killed after Sa’dah detention centre hit
OCHA is deeply alarmed by reports of air strikes hitting a detention centre holding migrants in Yemen’s Sa’dah governorate overnight. According to preliminary information, 68 migrants were killed and dozens of others injured. These numbers could increase as search and rescue efforts continue, which are being led by front-line responders.
There are reports that hospitals in the area are overwhelmed due to limited capacity. Two nearby hospitals have already received more than 50 injured people, many of them critically wounded.
Strikes pose a growing risk to the civilian population in Yemen, with reports of eight people killed and another six injured – including women and children – in Bani Al Harith district in Sana’a governorate yesterday evening.
OCHA continues to call on all parties to uphold their obligations under international humanitarian law, including the protection of civilians.
#Sudan
Escalating hostilities imperil civilians in North Darfur
OCHA remains gravely concerned about the plight of civilians fleeing Zamzam camp, as well as the dire situation in and around El Fasher, in Sudan’s North Darfur State.
Famine conditions have been identified in Zamzam and other displacement sites in the area – and key humanitarian partners had been forced to suspend operations due to severe insecurity before the latest wave of attacks.
There are ongoing and alarming reports of serious protection issues, such as arbitrary arrests, harassment and intimidation at checkpoints controlled by the Rapid Support Forces.
El Fasher itself – the largest city in Darfur – remains under siege, with continued shelling of civilian areas. Today, local sources in El Fasher are reporting a further intensification of attacks in the area, although information on civilian casualties is not yet available.
OCHA reiterates that international humanitarian law must be respected. All parties must ensure and facilitate, safe, unhindered and sustained humanitarian access, including to El Fasher itself. Civilians, including, humanitarian workers, must be protected, and safe passage must be ensured.
Authorities in Sudan’s Northern State are reporting the arrival of thousands of people from Zamzam camp and Al Malha town in North Darfur, and from Omdurman in Khartoum.
The majority of those displaced are seeking safety in poorly constructed shelters, while others are being hosted by family or friends. They are relying on just one meal a day and in dire need of food, water, nutrition, shelter, protection, education and other critical support.
#Colombia
UN supports Government-led response to yellow fever outbreak in Colombia
A surge in yellow fever cases has been reported across Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia and Peru. According to the Pan American Health Organization, 189 cases have been confirmed this year, with 74 deaths reported.
In Colombia, the Government declared a public health and economic emergency on 17 April, with at least 83 cases and 37 deaths already confirmed.
The main concern now is the risk of the virus spreading from jungle areas to cities. About a quarter of municipalities in Colombia are considered high risk, with many classified as very high risk.
The Government is leading the response – supported by the Pan American Health Organization – providing emergency management, public health surveillance, vaccination campaigns and prevention, clinical care and risk communication. More than 1 million vaccine doses have already been administered, including to older adults.
The UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Colombia, Mireia Villar Forner, is heading the Humanitarian Country Team and collaborates with an Epidemics Taskforce to coordinate work with health partners.