Today's top news: Lebanon, Occupied Palestinian Territory, Afghanistan, Haiti

#Lebanon

Ceasefire sees limited return of displaced families

OCHA says the country continues to face massive humanitarian needs despite the 10-day ceasefire. Hundreds of thousands of people remain displaced within the country, with inadequate shelter and limited access to essential services.

In the first 48 hours after the ceasefire took effect, more than a quarter of the 141,000 people who had been in collective shelters left. Many left just temporarily to assess whether they could return to their homes.  As of today, more than 117,000 people displaced inside Lebanon are in 631 collective shelters.

Since 2 March, humanitarian partners working in water and sanitation have distributed more than 148,000 blankets and 115,000 mattresses, as well as over 86,000 hygiene kits and 42,000 menstrual hygiene kits. More than 3.5 million litres of bottled drinking water have also been delivered to affected populations.

#Occupied Palestinian Territory

 Insecurity escalates amid surge in explosive hazards

OCHA reports that although crossings into Gaza are closed today and tomorrow for Israeli holidays, UN teams continue collecting supplies from the Palestinian side of Kerem Shalom.

Today, this included sanitation items, tarpaulins, infusion pumps, and family tents for distribution to families in Gaza.

Meanwhile, insecurity continues across the Strip. Partners on the ground report that between 12 April and 18 April, incidents such as gunfire, shelling and strikes increased by 46 per cent compared with the previous week, marking the highest weekly total since the October ceasefire agreement. North Gaza, Gaza and Deir al Balah governorates saw the sharpest increases. 

In parallel, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) warned yesterday that explosive remnants of war continue to pose a serious risk to civilians, especially children. Since January, ICRC has tracked 16 accidents that involved explosive ordnance - four Palestinians were killed and more than 30 others were injured.

Mine action partners have provided education sessions to tens of thousands of people across the Strip to help prevent casualties from explosive ordnance. However, addressing this threat more effectively requires the entry of specialised equipment and a full range of clearance and disposal activities.

Restrictions, including limitations on the entry of equipment needed to dispose of explosive ordnance, continue to hamper the overall humanitarian response.  

In the West Bank, OCHA warns that violence against Palestinians by Israeli forces and settlers, alongside coercive policies and practices, continues to result in casualties, property damage, and displacement.

OCHA reported today that during the first quarter of the year, 33 Palestinians have been killed and 790 injured by Israeli forces or settlers, while over 540 Israeli settler attacks caused casualties or property damage.

OCHA reiterates that attacks affecting civilians must be investigated and civilians must be protected. Israel, as the occupying power, has an obligation to protect the Palestinian population, and perpetrators must be held accountable in line with international humanitarian law.

#Afghanistan

Humanitarian aid reaches previously cut‑off communities

In Afghanistan, OCHA reports that a humanitarian operation to deliver assistance to previously inaccessible areas of eastern Nuristan province launched today.

The UN is supporting this effort, which is being coordinated by ICRC and the Afghan Red Crescent Society.

Some 136,000 people in the districts of Kamdesh and Barg-e-Matal have been cut off from food, healthcare and basic supplies for more than six weeks due to insecurity and restricted access.

Following sustained engagement with all parties to the conflict, partners have begun delivering food, medical supplies, and other essential items to people in dire need. The reopening of access routes is also allowing markets to recover and medical evacuations to resume.

OCHA says that needs remain high, particularly for food, healthcare and basic services – as the UN and its partners continue to call for safe, sustained and unimpeded humanitarian access, in line with humanitarian principles.

The delivery that started takes place as reports of cross-border mortar shelling between Afghanistan and Pakistan continue. 

Shelling in recent days has damaged a school, a health facility and a telecommunications tower in the Dangam district of Kunar Province. No casualties have been reported, but partners warn that communities are deeply shaken. Health services have been relocated to a nearby private residence to ensure people can still access care.

OCHA reiterates that civilians and civilian infrastructure, including schools and health facilities, must be protected, and that all parties must uphold their obligations under international humanitarian law.

#Haiti

Flooding leaves families displaced as risks persist

OCHA reports that heavy rainfall earlier this month triggered severe flooding in the North-West Department of Haiti, resulting in at least 12 deaths and multiple injuries.

More than 1,000 homes were flooded, resulting in displacement and significant agricultural and livelihood losses. The flooding also damaged roads, a bridge and a hospital, disrupting humanitarian access and basic services. Schools and commercial activities remain suspended in the most affected communes.

As rainfall continues and several rivers remain above normal levels, there is still a high risk of renewed flooding. Initial reports point to food, water, sanitation and hygiene, and essential relief items as priority needs.

OCHA continues to coordinate with partners on the response, as they progressively deploy to affected areas where access is possible.