Today's top news: Occupied Palestinian Territory, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Afghanistan
#Occupied Palestinian Territory
UN Relief Chief calls for end to Gaza blockade
The Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, Tom Fletcher, noted in a statement today that it has been two months since the Israeli authorities took a deliberate decision to block all aid to Gaza, and halt efforts to save survivors of their military offensive.
“Yes, the hostages must be released, now. They should never have been taken from their families,” he said. “But international law is unequivocal: As the occupying power, Israel must allow humanitarian support in. Aid, and the civilian lives it saves, should never be a bargaining chip.”
The Under-Secretary-General warned that blocking aid starves civilians, leaves them without basic medical support, strips them of dignity and hope, and inflicts a cruel collective punishment. “Blocking aid kills,” he added.
Fletcher said the humanitarian movement remains ready to save as many lives as possible, despite the risks, but noted that – as Secretary-General António Guterres has made clear – the latest modality for the provision of supplies proposed by Israeli authorities does not meet the minimum bar for principled humanitarian support.
“To the Israeli authorities and those who can still reason with them, we say again: lift this brutal blockade. Let humanitarians save lives,” he said.
OCHA warns that in addition to the ongoing blockade, humanitarian operations continue to be stifled by severe movement restrictions inside Gaza, as well as military activity and attacks that jeopardize the safety of aid workers and their premises.
Recent strikes have reportedly hit residential buildings and tents sheltering displaced people, especially in Rafah and eastern Gaza city. As of this Tuesday, humanitarian partners estimate that more than 423,000 people in Gaza have been displaced once again, with no safe place to go.
With most commodities unavailable, attacks on humanitarian convoys and looting are increasing, including two incidents in Gaza city yesterday. This not only endangers the lives of aid workers but also disrupts their operations, preventing them from reaching people in desperate need with what life-saving aid still remains in Gaza.
The World Health Organization and its partners report severe shortages of vital medicines and medical equipment. They also warn that acute watery diarrhea cases have risen by 4 per cent compared to previous weeks, as the weather gets warmer and hygiene conditions continue to deteriorate.
Meanwhile, humanitarians in Gaza have not been enabled to retrieve remaining stocks of desperately needed fuel located in areas that require coordination with Israeli authorities. Eight out of nine such attempts have been denied by the Israeli authorities since mid-April.
Partners working to provide child protection support warn that children – who make up half of Gaza's population – face escalating levels of trauma, violence and neglect, as ongoing military operations, mass displacement, and funding shortages disrupt education and critical child protection services.
Tens of thousands remain displaced in northern West Bank, 100 days since start of Israeli operation
OCHA notes that today marks 100 days since the Israeli operation in northern areas of the West Bank began, causing a wave of deaths, injuries, destruction and displacement. To date, some 40,000 Palestinians remain displaced and unable to return to their homes.
As this situation risks becoming permanent, the UN Human Rights Office has warned it may amount to forcible transfer. OCHA underscores once again that international law must be respected at all times and stresses that Palestinians must be protected.
The UN and its partners continue to respond to the deepening needs of displaced families, including by providing food, water and sanitation assistance, health services, psycho-social support and cash assistance. Since the beginning of the Israeli forces’ operation in the northern West Bank on 21 January, and as of yesterday, nearly 7,000 families have received a first round of cash assistance.
#Democratic Republic of the Congo
Fighting in eastern DRC causes further civilian casualties
OCHA warns that armed violence continues to threaten the safety of civilians across the eastern provinces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
In South Kivu province, fighting continues in several territories, including Uvira, Walungu and Kalehe. Two civilians were killed on 29 April in Uvira territory.
In Kalehe territory, medical sources reported several cases of injuries being treated following fighting on 29 April. More than 40,000 people have fled the area, according to local authorities. The deteriorating security situation in Kalehe territory has also forced many humanitarian organizations to suspend operations temporarily.
In Ituri province, the situation remains volatile. An attack on 29 April in Djugu territory killed three civilians, with many people still reported missing.
The UN Food and Agriculture Organization says in its latest report that more than 80 per cent of displaced households in Masisi, in North Kivu province, are experiencing acute food insecurity, with an average food insecurity rate between 60 and 70 per cent in other conflict-affected territories in South Kivu and Ituri.
The updated analysis of the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) from March 2025 revealed an alarming deterioration in food insecurity, with more than 10.3 million people experiencing acute food insecurity – IPC phases 3 and 4 – in the eastern provinces of North and South Kivu, Ituri and Tanganyika.
#Afghanistan
UN fast-tracks funds for anticipatory action against drought in Afghanistan
The UN today released a record US$16.6 million to help vulnerable communities in Afghanistan mitigate the effects of drought in the north and north-east of the country.
This new financing – which is both the first and largest joint allocation in support of anticipatory action against drought in Afghanistan – includes $6.6 million from the Central Emergency Response Fund and $10 million from the Afghanistan Humanitarian Fund*.
Before the drought peaks in the coming months, the UN and humanitarian partners will deliver cash and other assistance to support food security, agriculture and livestock, water, sanitation and hygiene, health, nutrition and protection.
“With the right science and data, we can deliver faster, protect more people, and stretch scarce resources further at a time when devastating funding cuts are deepening Afghanistan’s humanitarian crisis,” said Tom Fletcher, Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs, during his visit to the country this week.
Today in Kabul, Fletcher met with humanitarian partners on the ground – including NGOs and women-led organizations, as well as representatives of women civil society. The Under-Secretary-General concludes his visit to Afghanistan on Friday.
*Donations made to UN Crisis Relief help UN agencies and humanitarian NGOs reach people in Afghanistan with urgent support.