Today's top news: Occupied Palestinian Territory, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Burkina Faso, Mozambique, Vanuatu

Displaced children in Burkina Faso access education through radio-based learning, funded by the Regional Humanitarian Fund, offering an alternative path to schooling.
Displaced children in Burkina Faso access education through radio-based learning, funded by the Regional Humanitarian Fund, offering an alternative path to schooling. Photo: OCHA/Alassane Sarr

#Occupied Palestinian Territory

OCHA reports that in preparation for the ceasefire, the UN and humanitarian partners are mobilizing supplies and resources to scale up the delivery of aid across the Gaza Strip.

The humanitarian community is working to increase the pipeline of goods into Gaza via all available crossings and prepare for distributions within Gaza.

Humanitarians in Gaza are ready to scale up and deliver. As reported yesterday, 80,000 tons of food assistance – enough to feed 1 million people for three months – is on standby for entry to Gaza as soon as possible. The UN and its partners are also exploring ways of expanding cash assistance. Aid organizations aim to reach hundreds of thousands of people with basic shelters, provided they can access the supplies needed.

On Wednesday, the World Health Organization (WHO) reached Al-Awda Hospital in North Gaza governorate. The team delivered 5,000 litres of fuel, as well as food parcels, bottled water, winter clothes and vaccines. They also referred two patients in critical condition and their companions to Al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza city.

WHO says 33 patients and about 30 of their companions remain in Al Awda Hospital, together with nearly a dozen doctors, almost two dozen nurses and 16 administrative staff. Access to the hospital remains extremely challenging and risky for patients.

During the mission, a bullet struck an ambulance belonging to the Palestine Red Crescent Society. Thankfully, no injuries were reported. However, the incident underscores the importance of the ceasefire in ensuring the ability to safely access civilians.

#Democratic Republic of the Congo

OCHA is concerned about the increase in civilian casualties amid ongoing armed attacks against civilians in Lubero territory, in North Kivu province, in the east of the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

According to partners, between 14 and 15 January, at least 30 people were killed in attacks in several villages in Lubero territory, and over 30,000 people have fled to the city of Butembo and surrounding areas.

These recent attacks are part of a broader escalation of violence in the territory since June 2024, which has claimed the lives of at least 220 people, according to local partners.

In response to the growing humanitarian crisis in Lubero, humanitarian partners are supporting affected communities, including with the distribution of food, medical supplies, water, and hygiene kits.

Following these recent displacements, Lubero Territory is now hosting 360,000 displaced people. A UN humanitarian mission is conducting assessments to get a clear picture of the needs.

The UN and partners will continue to deliver aid and support people in Lubero as security permits. 

OCHA reiterates its call for an immediate cessation of attacks against civilians. All actors involved in this violence must uphold human rights and international humanitarian law.

#Burkina Faso

The UN and humanitarian partners released the 2025 Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, yesterday. It supports the transitional authority's national response plan, also released on the same day.

Nearly 6 million people are estimated to need humanitarian assistance across the country this year. The new plan aims to assist 3.7 million people in support of the transitional authority's national plan, which targets all people in need.

The UN and humanitarian partners worked closely with the transitional authority to develop this year’s needs analysis and response planning. They are also working together to deliver a principled humanitarian response wherever this is required, while continuing to promote a gradual transition towards more sustainable assistance.

Last year, donors provided nearly US$410 million – more than ever before, but that was just 44 per cent of what was required. In 2025, the humanitarian community is hoping to mobilize even more support.

#Mozambique

OCHA reports that the UN and partners continue to respond in the wake of Tropical Cyclone Dikeledi, which made landfall in north Mozambique earlier this week.

As of yesterday, six deaths had been reported by the authorities in Mozambique. More than 70,000 people in the country have been affected by the cyclone, but that number is likely to increase as assessments of the impact continue.

Dikeledi also damaged or destroyed more than 9,200 houses, over 40 health facilities and a bridge. More than 100 schools were affected, disrupting education for over 18,000 students.

OCHA says that humanitarian partners have established 55 transitional learning spaces in four districts for children affected by the cyclone. Plans are in the works to repair more than 120 classrooms.

Meanwhile, the UN and its partners have prepositioned one-week food rations and deployed mobile health units in Mozambique. However, additional funding is urgently needed to meet the needs of those affected.

To scale up the cyclone response, the UN and humanitarian partners have had to reallocate resources from the ongoing response to conflict in Mozambique. This has left some of the most vulnerable – including displaced people and returnees – without life-saving assistance.

#Vanuatu

Today marks one month since Vanuatu was hit by a 7.3 earthquake, killing 14 people and affecting 80,000 people.

The UN and its partners were mobilized since day one to support the Government-led response. They deployed teams, including a United Nations Disaster Assessment Coordination team, and mobilized funding – $1 million was allocated from the UN Central Emergency Response Fund. The UN and partners also supported mobile clinics and the restoration of water supplies, distributed aid, including food, shelter material and hygiene kits.

The humanitarian community will continue to support the response and national-led recovery efforts.