Today's top news: Occupied Palestinian Territory, Democratic Republic of the Congo

#Occupied Palestinian Territory

Halt of aid into Gaza threatens humanitarian progress

OCHA warns that the recent closure of all crossing points for cargo is undoing critical progress made in delivering vital, life-saving assistance to people in Gaza since the ceasefire took effect on 19 January.

The UN Population Fund (UNFPA) stresses that the cutoff of aid will have far-reaching consequences for women and girls. Over the past 10 weeks, UNFPA and its partners have provided 170,000 women and girls with reproductive health and protection services, set up 16 temporary health facilities, supported thousands of pregnant women, ensured the availability of medicines, distributed shelter kits, and provided vital supplies to nearly 4,500 new mothers. In a statement, UNFPA underscored the urgency of humanitarian access, stressing that Israel must facilitate the delivery of humanitarian aid regardless of whether the ceasefire holds.

OCHA reports that food security in Gaza is also at risk of worsening. Humanitarian partners warn that if the disruption to aid entry continues, at least 80 community kitchens may soon run out of stock. 

Meanwhile, the UN and its partners are still distributing food parcels and flour to households. These distributions may be reduced or suspended so that bakeries continue to receive the supplies required to keep operating. Food security partners are also distributing vegetable seeds and animal feed to support the restoration of local food production – thousands of metric tons since the ceasefire began. But this, too, depends on a steady inflow of supplies.

Education is another concern. Access restrictions are making it harder for schools to resume learning, given shortages of educational supplies in the markets. Some students have been able to return to school after displaced families vacated school buildings that had been used as shelters. However, they lack proper furniture, clean water, functioning toilets, and basic materials such as notebooks and pens.

Beyond access, OCHA notes that funding for the humanitarian response remains a major challenge. More than two months into the year, we have secured less than 4 per cent of the US$4 billion required to meet the most basic humanitarian needs across the Occupied Palestinian Territory, especially in Gaza. The scale of needs is staggering – and so is the shortfall.

#Democratic Republic of the Congo

Civilians in eastern DRC harmed, displaced by armed violence

OCHA warns that armed violence and human rights violations continue to harm civilians and force people to flee their homes in the eastern provinces of South Kivu, North Kivu and Ituri, Democratic Republic of the Congo.

On Monday, humanitarian partners in South Kivu reported that clashes between armed groups in Fizi Territory, about 250 kilometres south of the provincial capital, Bukavu, killed six civilians and wounded more than a dozen others. More than 3,000 people fled affected villages in the area.

The UN and its partners continue to do everything possible to provide lifesaving assistance to civilians in need despite hostilities and other challenges.

OCHA welcomes the European Union’s (EU) recent announcement that the EU will deliver 44 tons of emergency relief, including medicines and nutrition supplies. This urgently needed assistance will help boost the response in both North Kivu and South Kivu.