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

#Occupied Palestinian Territory

UN relief chief alarmed by attacks on health in Gaza

The Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs Tom Fletcher said today that the UN continues to receive horrific reports from Gaza of more health workers, ambulances and hospitals attacked as they try to save survivors.

In a social media post, Fletcher said "we all must demand that hospitals and medics not be targeted."

Yesterday in southern Gaza, several casualties were reported after the surgical department of Nasser Medical Complex was hit and caught fire. 

In Rafah, ambulances were reportedly hit yesterday in Tal Al Sultan, resulting in several casualties. The Palestine Red Crescent Society (PRCS) said four of its ambulances were targeted, as well as 10 team members carrying out humanitarian work. PRCS says communication with the team has been completely lost for 30 hours, and their fate remains unknown. 

As hostilities continue across Gaza, OCHA reports that the UN and its humanitarian partners continue to face constraints in efforts to provide health services. Yesterday, partners called for the entry of additional emergency medical teams into Gaza to help health workers already on the ground who are exhausted and overwhelmed.

OCHA reports that the crossings have remained closed for cargo since 2 March, with reports that prices of goods and commodities continue to rise. Yesterday, the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East's (UNRWA) Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini warned that “every day without food inches Gaza closer to an acute hunger crisis.”

Yesterday, Israeli authorities issued a new evacuation order in Rafah, covering about 2 per cent of the Strip and affecting five neighbourhoods.

With this latest directive, the overall area designated for evacuation over the past week covers an estimated 14 per cent of the Gaza Strip – alongside vast 'no go' zones along the borders and the Netzarim corridor.

UNRWA estimates that 124,000 people have been newly displaced in just days. Many have moved on foot toward the Mawasi area along one evacuation route, with large numbers of people reportedly seeking shelter in hospitals.

Partners supporting water, sanitation and hygiene services in Gaza report that 90 per cent of people surveyed in recent weeks did not have sufficient access to water, with respondents going several days without being able to wash their hands.

Since the resumption of hostilities and despite the challenges, humanitarian partners have continued to screen children for malnutrition, distributing ready-to-use complementary food to more than 7,000 infants and young children. However, the closure of several malnutrition sites located in the evacuation area in Rafah has affected more than 100 children.

Partners report that learning activities remain largely suspended. Three schools were reportedly damaged by hostilities over the past week, putting additional strain on Gaza’s already decimated education infrastructure.

#Lebanon

Deadly strikes imperil civilians in Lebanon

OCHA remains concerned by the precarious humanitarian and protection situation in Lebanon as civilians continue to be impacted by military operations across the country.

Over the weekend, on 22 March, escalation with multiple airstrikes across the country resulted in eight deaths, including one child, and 44 injuries, including five children, according to the Lebanon Ministry of Health.

Military operations across the country continue to exacerbate protection concerns, impede safe returns of displaced people, hinder the delivery of humanitarian assistance and further drives humanitarian needs.

OCHA reiterates its call for civilians and civilian infrastructure to be protected.

According to the International Organization for Migration (IOM), more than 96,000 people remain displaced within Lebanon and over 960,000 are back to their communities of origin.

The UN and partners continue to support the humanitarian response across the country despite the critical funding shortfall and support displaced families returning to their communities, host communities and those who are still displaced.

Despite the urgent needs, the US$371 million Flash Appeal that goes until the end of March remains only 12 per cent funded.

#Democratic Republic of the Congo

Aid operations in Ituri disrupted by violence

OCHA reports that clashes in parts of North Kivu, South Kivu and Ituri provinces, Democratic Republic of the Congo, continue to harm civilians and drive people from their homes.

In Ituri, clashes have forced at least six humanitarian organizations to suspend operations in the town of Fataki since 18 March, cutting off assistance for more than 300,000 people. A health centre in the town of Djugu was looted and the regional hospital in Fataki forced to close on 14 March, severely restricting people’s access to medical care. Dozens of homes in the area have also been burned during the clashes.

Still in Ituri, a vital supply route linking the town of Mahagi to the provincial capital Bunia remains blocked due to the ongoing insecurity. This is causing fuel shortages, inflated prices and limited availability of goods in Bunia and nearby areas.

OCHA also reports that last week’s clashes in North Kivu’s Walikale Territory damaged water supply infrastructure. Local civil society groups stress the need for urgent repairs to mitigate public health risks.

The intense fighting in North Kivu’s Walikale Territory between 14 and 20 March has also forced tens of thousands of civilians to flee into neighboring Maniema province. 

Finally, in South Kivu, local sources report that fighting continued over the weekend in Walungu and Kalehe territories, triggering large-scale displacements, but no estimates are available yet.

Despite the volatile situation in South Kivu, the UN and its humanitarian partners started distributing food distributions on 22 March in two parts of Kalehe Territory, targeting more than 500,000 vulnerable people.

#Sudan

Tens of thousands flee fighting in North Darfur

OCHA is deeply alarmed by reports of mass displacement and large numbers of civilians having been killed in Al Malha locality, in the northern part of North Darfur State, Sudan. The situation remains volatile and unpredictable, raising serious concerns over the protection of civilians. IOM reports that recent clashes in the area have forced about 75,000 people to flee. 

The number of people internally displaced across Sudan remains staggeringly high at 11.3 million, although IOM notes a slight decrease from 11.6 million people in January, with returns being reported in some areas.

In Aj Jazirah, a partner on the ground reports that thousands of people returning to the state lack food. Health centres are closed, and medicines are in short supply. There are reports of widespread looting of markets and homes, as well as the risk of arbitrary detentions by armed groups.

Meanwhile, the World Health Organization (WHO) warns that two thirds of Sudan’s states are experiencing multiple disease outbreaks – including malaria, dengue, cholera, measles and diphtheria. A hepatitis outbreak was also recently reported at a displacement site in Kassala State.

Diseases are spreading at a time when Sudan’s health system is in crisis. According to WHO, 70 to 80 per cent of health facilities in areas hardest hit by conflict are non-functional. Partners urgently need funding, supplies and unimpeded humanitarian access to contain these outbreaks and prevent their further spread.

#Ukraine

Scores killed, injured in strikes across Ukraine

OCHA reports that attacks in Ukraine over the weekend and today have once again resulted in widespread civilian casualties, including children.

The Humanitarian Coordinator in Ukraine, Matthias Schmale, said the casualty count of a missile attack in Sumy City today is already reportedly in the dozens, including multiple children. In a statement, he stressed that international humanitarian law clearly prohibits attacks on civilians and civilian infrastructure.

Between 22 and 24 March, missile and drone strikes in the cities of Sumy, Zaporizhzhia and Kyiv killed two dozen civilians and injured scores of others, according to local authorities. Entire families – including parents and their children – were among the fatalities in Zaporizhzhia and Kyiv. Other affected areas include towns in Donetsk, Kherson, Kharkiv, Mykolaiv, Sumy and Dnipro regions. 

Humanitarian organizations responded swiftly, providing medical and psychological aid, hot meals, shelter materials, blankets, and legal support. They also registered people for home repair assistance. 

Today, Ukrainian Railways a large-scale cyberattack targeting its systems. As the air space in Ukraine has been closed since February 2022, rail travel is the primary mode of transportation for civilians and humanitarian actors. The attack severely disrupted booking and ticketing services. This has led to delays and operational challenges at several stations. Authorities are working to fully restore services. 

Aid organizations continue to support evacuations from border communities in the Sumy region, where attacks have intensified. Humanitarians are working alongside national police and rescuers to evacuate hundreds of civilians, including children and people with disabilities. Partners are also providing aid and psychosocial support.