Today's top news: Middle East, Lebanon, Occupied Palestinian Territory, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Sudan
#Middle East
Escalation deepens humanitarian crisis across region
OCHA reports that the Middle East is home to some of the largest numbers of people in need of humanitarian assistance globally. It says the recent escalation risks deepening civilian suffering and causing further damage to already fragile civilian infrastructure.
According to the UN Refugee Agency, more than 4.1 million people have been internally displaced in Afghanistan, Iran, Lebanon and Pakistan since the beginning of the escalation. Additionally, more than 117,000 people sought refuge in another country.
The UN and humanitarian partners continue to provide humanitarian aid to people affected across several countries and remain ready to ramp up the response in support of national authorities where needed.
In Iran, authorities report that more than 1,300 people were killed and more than 17,000 injured between 28 February and yesterday.
Significant damage to health and other civilian infrastructure has been reported. The Iranian Red Crescent Society (IRCS) indicates that more than 17,000 residential units and over 4,000 commercial buildings have been damaged. The Ministry of Education reports that 120 schools have been destroyed.
Iranian authorities and national responders are leading emergency response efforts, including by providing shelter in Government facilities and the metro system in Tehran.
The IRCS has activated its nationwide volunteer network – spanning logistics, medical services, rapid response, search and rescue, and pharmacies – to deliver humanitarian support across the country.
In Iraq, between 10 March and 11 March, strikes and incidents involving drones were reported in Sulaimaniya in the Kurdistan Region and in Wasit Governorate, resulting in casualties.
Operations at Iraqi oil ports have been suspended after two foreign fuel tankers were attacked. The UN is concerned about the environmental impacts and public health risks following a reported large oil spill that caught fire.
#Lebanon
Military operations force families to flee, increase humanitarian needs
Fighting intensified across Lebanon last night. Large-scale military operations were reported in Beirut’s southern suburbs and other areas, affecting tens of thousands of families who could be forced to flee their homes once again.
The situation remains highly volatile – and humanitarian needs continue to grow by day.
According to the Ministry of Public Health, at least 634 people have been killed and more than 1,500 injured since the start of the escalation on 2 March.
More people continue to be displaced. According to the Government, more than 816,000 people have registered themselves as displaced, including more than 285,000 children. Over 125,000 people are taking shelter in nearly 600 collective centres. The overall number of people displaced is likely higher.
The UN and partners, together with national and local authorities, are scaling up urgent assistance to help people who’ve fled their homes.
As of yesterday, nearly 600,000 hot meals and 18,000 ready-to-eat food kits have been distributed, while almost 60,000 mattresses, 39,000 sleeping mats and 59,000 blankets have been provided to people who need them. In addition, tens of thousands of hygiene kits have been delivered to hundreds of shelters.
More than 330,000 litres of bottled water have been provided, while over 130,000 litres of fuel have been supplied to sustain water services for more than 410,000 people.
The UN stresses the urgent need for immediate de-escalation. All parties must respect international humanitarian law, including the protection of civilians, humanitarian personnel and healthcare facilities. Humanitarian access must be safe and sustained so assistance can reach people in need.
Yesterday, Tom Fletcher, the Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs, announced a $15 million allocation from the UN’s Global Emergency Fund.
The UN and the humanitarian community urgently need more international support to sustain life-saving assistance for the most vulnerable.
#Occupied Palestinian Territory
Striking, shelling generates more civilian casualties
In Gaza, OCHA warned that the situation remains dire despite efforts to reach people in need.
Strikes, shelling and gunfire continue to be reported across Gaza, resulting in civilian casualties. Last night, shelling reportedly hit a site for displaced people in western Gaza city, resulting in at least one death and multiple injuries. A fire broke out as a result, damaging dozens of tents.
Partners leading on food security warn that market supply remains constrained, affecting the availability and price of fresh vegetables, firewood and cooking gas, particularly during Ramadan when families strive to cook more elaborate meals.
Some humanitarians have been forced to change what hot meals they provide at community kitchens, and others have had to pause fresh produce distributions due to shortages and high prices.
So far this month, some 400,000 people have received food rations, which had to be reduced by half in February because many trucks were turned back at Kerem Shalom as teams attempted to replenish stocks. Access to food depends on more than just humanitarian assistance – we need the consistent entry of commercial supplies.
Explosive ordnance continues to put communities across Gaza at risk. Humanitarians working on mine action conducted over 120 explosive hazard assessments in the past week in support of debris management activities. No incidents have been reported this week.
Meanwhile, Kerem Shalom remains the only operational crossing for the entry of humanitarian cargo. The UN is advocating with authorities to reopen additional crossings to ease this bottleneck. Crossings must open to allow people to move voluntarily, including medical evacuations and people seeing to return to Gaza.
*Donations made to UN Crisis Relief help UN agencies and humanitarian NGOs reach people in Gaza and the West Bank with urgent support.
#Democratic Republic of the Congo
Death, displacement rising as violence continues
OCHA is deeply concerned by the impact of continued violence on civilians in Ituri Province, in the east of the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
According to local sources, on 11 March, at least ten civilians were killed around the Bule locality in Djugu Territory during armed clashes. Humanitarian partners also report that since early March, clashes in surrounding villages have killed at least 21 people and forced many families to flee.
Displacement sites are becoming increasingly overcrowded. Local authorities say the Plaine Savo displacement site now hosts nearly 136,000 people – double the number recorded two months ago. The UN and partners continue to provide health care, nutrition support and water, hygiene and sanitation services at the site. However, humanitarian access remains severely restricted due to insecurity.
Since 8 March, partners have been unable to safely access Plaine Savo following a new surge in violence, and, as of last night, fighting was reported just two kilometres away.
The UN continues to reiterate that all parties must respect their obligations under international humanitarian law, including the protection of civilians and the safety of humanitarian personnel and assets. Safe, predictable and unimpeded access remains essential to prevent further deterioration of the situation.
#Sudan
Escalating drone strikes cause mass casualties
OCHA warns that escalating drone strikes across several parts of Sudan are exacting a growing toll on civilians.
In West Kordofan State, two strikes on Tuesday in the state capital, Al Fula, and in the locality of Al-Sunur reportedly caused dozens of casualties, as did an additional strike in the city of El Obeid in North Kordofan.
The level of violence continues to drive huge displacement. Since October last year, nearly 133,000 people have been displaced across the Kordofan region, according to the International Organization for Migration.
Despite insecurity, access challenges and movement restrictions, humanitarian partners continue to reach displaced families with assistance across the Kordofan region. Local responders remain at the forefront of the response.
Healthcare partners continue to operate clinics and provide essential medical services across Kordofan, enabling many displaced families to receive treatment.
Drone strikes are also impacting civilians in White Nile State. Local sources report that 16 people were killed and 10 others injured when drones struck multiple sites, including a local school, in Shukairi village. Additional strikes were also reported in Ed Deweim locality.
OCHA once again calls on all parties to adhere to their obligations under international humanitarian law – including protecting civilians; safeguarding critical infrastructure; and ensuring rapid, safe, unimpeded and sustained humanitarian access.
Despite these challenges, humanitarians continue to scale up assistance. In January, UNICEF carried out a measles-rubella vaccination campaign in South and North Darfur that protected more than 540,000 children.
In addition, nearly one million people received safe drinking water, and close to 800,000 children were screened for malnutrition, with more than 25,000 children admitted for treatment of severe acute malnutrition.
*Donations made to UN Crisis Relief help UN agencies and humanitarian NGOs reach people in Sudan with urgent support.