Today's top news: Occupied Palestinian Territory, Colombia

#Occupied Palestinian Territory

Gaza aid missions face denials and delays

OCHA warns that humanitarian operations continue to face significant impediments.

Shipments from Jordan are restricted to a route that requires multiple offloading and reloading points. 

Shipments from Egypt, via Kerem Shalom, face high return rates - between 4 February and 10 February, despite a recent improvement, less than 60 per cent of consignments from Egypt could be offloaded at Kerem Shalom.

Inside Gaza, humanitarian movements that require coordination with Israeli authorities also continue to face obstacles. Of nearly 50 such movements coordinated between 6 February and 11 February, just over a half were fully facilitated. Five were denied outright, and 11 were approved but encountered significant delays and other impediments – including two that were only partially accomplished as a result. And today, two more denials were recorded.

Teams on the ground are engaging with the authorities to clarify the constraints and seek their resolution.

Between 5 February and 10 February, logistics partners supported the transportation of nearly 1,900 pallets of food, shelter, health, and water and sanitation items from crossing points along the perimeter fence to destinations inside Gaza.

#Colombia

UN and partners seek US$287 million to help over 1 million people in Colombia

Last Friday, the UN, its partners and the Government launched the 2026 Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan.

Colombia continues to face a complex humanitarian crisis marked by armed conflict, climate-related disasters and migration flows.

Humanitarian partners estimate that nearly 7 million people need humanitarian aid this year. That is roughly one in seven Colombians.

Conflict between non-state armed groups - now present in 60 per cent of Colombia’s municipalities, mostly in rural areas - has resulted in forced displacement, confinement, and restrictions on people’s mobility.

Last year saw a 58 per cent increase in attacks against civilians, according to partners. That includes serious violations against children and sexual violence, and attacks affecting schools and teachers. These violations disproportionately impacted indigenous and Afro-Colombian communities and children in rural areas.

Climate emergencies such as the recent floods in Córdoba, which affected more than 150,000 people, also increase humanitarian needs.

To respond to the most pressing needs, the humanitarian community requires US$287 million and aims to reach 1.2 million people. In 2025, the humanitarian operation received only 24 per cent of the funds needed.

 *Donations made to UN Crisis Relief help UN agencies and humanitarian NGOs reach people in Colombia with urgent support.