Today's top news: Libya, Sudan, Ukraine

#Libya

Nearly one week after Storm Daniel hit the country, nearly 4,000 (3,958) people have died, according to the World Health Organization. More than 9,000 people are still missing. 

Some 40,000 people have been displaced in the northeast, according to the International Organization for Migration, including 30,000 in Derna. 

According to UNICEF, nearly 300,000 children have been exposed to Storm Daniel and now face increased risk of diarrhea and cholera, dehydration and malnutrition, as well as increased risks of violence and exploitation. The National Centre for Disease Control has already detected at least 55 children fell ill as a result of drinking polluted water in Derna.

Despite significant access challenges, authorities and humanitarian organizations are reaching more people in need as response efforts are quickly scaled-up. 

UN Member States and multilateral institutions continue to increase their support through much-needed funding, the deployment of specialized response teams and in-kind assistance.

The Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Libya and Head of the United Nations Support Mission in Libya, Abdoulaye Bathily, and the Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator, Georgette Gagnon, visited Labraq and Derna on 16 September, together with the assessment team comprised of the UN Agencies, Funds and Programme.

#Sudan

Intense clashes in Khartoum over the weekend resulted in civilian casualties.

Our humanitarian partners also tell us that renewed clashes in South Darfur have displaced many people in the city of Nyala.

People continue to be displaced, with more than 5.1 million people having fled their homes since mid-April – 4.1 million within Sudan and more than 1 million were forced to seek refuge outside the country. 

The newly displaced families are arriving in areas that were already facing challenges due to existing crises, with basic services extensively overstretched. 

According to our partners, since the beginning of the current conflict, at least 435 children have reportedly been killed and a further 500 have died from hunger – although the true toll is likely much higher. 

OCHA also warns that heavy rains and flooding continue across the country. Since July, more than 80,000 people have been affected and some 12,000 houses damaged.

Humanitarian partners have scaled up efforts and continue to help people in desperate need, despite funding shortages, with at least 3.5 million receiving assistance since April. 

On Wednesday, there will be an event on the sidelines of the General Assembly to mobilize resources and show support to the people of Sudan. 

The $2.6 billion Sudan Humanitarian Response Plan, which seeks to help 18 million people, is just over one-quarter funded.

#Ukraine

Increased hostilities have impeded humanitarian access in recent weeks. 

OCHA has recorded more than 30 incidents in which aid deliveries were disrupted during July and August. At least 13 cases involved violence against humanitarians, with at least one aid worker killed and eight others injured in the line of duty. 

Shelling of aid distribution sites has also affected relief efforts.

In addition, restrictions by local authorities, often in areas of intensified hostilities, have impeded humanitarian access. This includes stricter access permits and evacuation orders, especially the Kharkiv and Sumy regions, along the border with the Russian Federation. 

Despite these challenges, 15 inter-agency humanitarian convoys successfully delivered critical supplies to more than 20,000 people who remained in communities near the frontline during July and August.