Today's top news: Democratic Republic of the Congo, Occupied Palestinian Territory, Ukraine, Myanmar, Central America

#Democratic Republic of the Congo

Humanitarian Coordinator calls for end to fighting in the east

The Humanitarian Coordinator in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Bruno Lemarquis, has warned that the rapid expansion of the conflict in the east of the country – particularly in South Kivu province – continues to inflict a heavy toll on civilians.

In a statement yesterday, Lemarquis urged all parties to the conflict to respect their obligations under international humanitarian law, to guarantee the security of humanitarian infrastructure, and to ensure safe and unhindered access for humanitarian actors to provide vital assistance to people in need.

In South Kivu, OCHA says more than 11,000 people fleeing fighting sought refuge in Kalonge health zone, southwest of Bukavu in Kalehe territory, between 5 February and yesterday. Most displaced people are staying with host families.

Local authorities say that yesterday, 20,000 people fleeing violence in South Kivu arrived in Kalemie territory, in Tanganyika province.

Meanwhile in North Kivu, OCHA says that renewed fighting between the Congolese army and M23 in Lubero territory has led to new displacement. Fighting also continues to impact humanitarian access, increasingly placing additional strain on local infrastructure and services.

In Goma, humanitarian partners report that between late January and early February, an estimated 70,000 people left displacement sites in and around Goma and returned to their villages in Masisi territory. Many of them need food and financial means to meet their most basic needs, according to local authorities.

#Occupied Palestinian Territory

Polio vaccination campaign to resume in Gaza on Saturday

OCHA says that the UN and its partners continue efforts to ensure a steady flow of assistance into the Gaza Strip. 

Today, UNICEF and the World Health Organization announced that the mass polio vaccination campaign will resume in Gaza on Saturday and continue through 26 February. The campaign aims to reach all children under 10 – including those previously missed – to close immunity gaps and end the outbreak.

Meanwhile, partners supporting water, sanitation and hygiene services are working to increase the production and distribution of water for drinking and domestic purposes to improve living conditions in the Strip and minimize public health risks.

There are now more than 1,780 operational water points across Gaza. Over 85 per cent of them are used to support water trucking activities by partners.

OCHA reports that partners are also training and deploying mobile teams and volunteers at aid distribution points to ensure that vulnerable groups – including people with disabilities – have safe and dignified access to humanitarian assistance. More than 100 such teams are operating at nearly 70 aid distribution points throughout Gaza.

Palestinians displaced by Israeli forces in northern West Bank

In the West Bank, OCHA says Israeli forces’ operations in northern areas continue, causing further destruction and displacement among Palestinian residents. 

Yesterday in Tulkarm refugee camp, humanitarian partners reported that Israeli forces demolished at least five homes, with several others also slated for demolition. Prior to the demolition, the Palestine Red Crescent Society helped families move their belongings.

#Ukraine

Humanitarians mobilize support after Odesa attack

OCHA says aid organizations responded to an overnight attack on Odesa City, Ukraine, that injured four civilians, including a child. Authorities say the attack left a large residential area without electricity and heating, affecting at least 160,000 people

Multiple apartment buildings were damaged, as well as a children’s hospital and a kindergarten, with more than 2,000 windows shattered.

Humanitarians are providing emergency shelter materials, hot meals, psychosocial support, legal aid and child protection services. Medical teams are conducting health checks and distributing medicines. Schools remain closed until power and heating are restored. 

Meanwhile in Kherson, aid workers continue to respond to an attack on Monday that damaged a critical energy facility, leaving 2,500 residents without electricity, heat and water.

#Myanmar

Record number of people internally displaced in Myanmar

The conflict in Myanmar is escalating, and humanitarian needs are increasing four years after the military takeover. Internal displacement is at a record high and estimated at more than 3.5 million people, according to the UN.

Clashes between the Myanmar Armed Forces and various non-state armed groups continue, particularly in the country’s Northeast, Northwest and Southeast.

Due to this crisis, Myanmar has the highest number of casualties from landmines and explosive ordnance globally, according to the Landmine Monitor.

Over 15 million people face acute food insecurity in Myanmar. Education and health services are severely disrupted, and millions of people lack safe shelter and drinking water. 

In 2024, despite severe underfunding and other challenges, humanitarian partners reached more than 4.2 million people with life-saving assistance.

This year, the Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan aims to reach 5.5 million people with critical assistance, requiring US$1.1 billion. More resources are urgently needed to respond at-scale to the growing needs.

#Central America

UN and partners appeal for $306 million to assist 2.2 million people in El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras

The UN and its partners in El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras have launched this year’s Humanitarian Response Plans to assist 2.2 million people in need, seeking a total of $306 million.

These three countries continue to face food insecurity, extreme weather events and mixed movement of people.

In El Salvador, the plan aims to assist 400,000 of the most vulnerable people – this requires $67 million.

In Guatemala, the crisis is most severe in areas affected by climate shocks and human mobility, and the plan seeks $100 million to help 1 million people there.

In Honduras, violence and climate-related risks continue amid high levels of poverty and inequality. The response plan asks for nearly $140 million to support – in collaboration with national authorities – 800,000 vulnerable people.