Today's top news: Occupied Palestinian Territory, Nepal, Somalia, Myanmar, Ukraine

Occupied Palestinian Territory

The heads of UN agencies and NGOs have issued an urgent appeal for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire, as the world watches the unfolding situation in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territory with shock and horror at the spiralling numbers of lives lost and torn apart.

In a statement yesterday, the Principals of the Inter-Agency Standing Committee renewed their plea for the parties to respect their obligations under international humanitarian and human rights law. They said all civilians held hostage must be released immediately and unconditionally; civilians and the infrastructure they rely on must be protected; and more aid must enter Gaza safely, swiftly and at scale.

Yesterday, OCHA reported that a limited number of trucks carrying humanitarian supplies crossed into Gaza from Egypt. Since 21 October, more than 450 trucks have delivered food, water, nutrition, health and hygiene supplies, as well as other items. But the entry of fuel – which is desperately needed to run generators – remains banned by Israeli authorities.

Gaza is still under a full electricity blackout. Bombardments in recent days have reportedly damaged rooftop solar panels that have affected hospitals, water wells and bakeries – eliminating one of the last energy sources not dependent on fuel.

Air strikes have also reportedly hit residential buildings in three refugee camps in recent days, killing dozens of people – mostly women and children – according to the Ministry of Health in Gaza.

Some 1.5 million people in Gaza have been displaced, with more than 700,000 sheltering in nearly 150 facilities of the UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA). These sites are overcrowded, with many people sleeping on the street.

Several cases of acute respiratory infections, diarrhoea and chicken pox have been reported among those people sheltering at UNRWA sites.

In recent days, seven water facilities in Gaza were reportedly struck and severely damaged. This includes three sewage pipelines, prompting warnings over the imminent risk of sewage flooding.

Today, the UN and partners launched a Flash Appeal to meet surging needs in the Occupied Palestinian Territory. An estimated US$1.2 billion is required to help deliver life-saving assistance to some 2.7 million people. 

The Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs, Martin Griffiths, will brief the Security Council on Monday afternoon in closed consultations to underscore the need for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire, the release of hostages, protection of civilians, and scaling up of aid deliveries to Gaza.

Nepal

Three days after a 6.4-magnitude earthquake struck the Jajarkot and Rukum districts of Karnali Province in Nepal – the largest earthquake to impact the country since the 2015 earthquake – a 5.6-magnitude earthquake hit the country today.

According to national authorities, 153 people have been killed and more than 300 people injured. The earthquake also damaged some 4,000 houses. 

The UN and partners are providing temporary shelter, food and non-food items.

The World Food Programme dispatched 6 metric tons of food to the affected areas and is providing logistics support to the Government and partners.

The World Health Organization is supporting authorities, and it deployed medicines and supplies to meet the primary health care needs of 1,000 people. 

UNICEF distributed more than 2,000 emergency shelter sets, with an additional 2,000 sets on their way to Jajarkot and a further 1,000 to Rukum West district. 

UN Women is collaborating with women's groups to support community kitchens and provide relief packages.

Somalia

Heavy rains and flooding continue across Somalia, with authorities declaring an emergency in flooded areas.

OCHA reported that the seasonal rains – which run from October to December – have intensified. The flooding is now affecting more than 700,000 people. 

More than 110,000 people are temporarily displaced from their homes, with at least 25 deaths reported, according to humanitarian partners.

OCHA reported that up to 2,400 people are believed to be trapped by rising floodwaters in Jubaland. At the Deputy Prime Minister’s request, UN agencies are working to get maritime equipment to enable local responders to evacuate stranded civilians.

The UN, partners and the authorities are mobilizing urgent assistance – including food, shelter and water – to flood-affected people.

Myanmar

OCHA reported that nearly 33,000 people have been displaced since a new wave of conflict broke out in Myanmar’s northern Shan State on 26 October, causing humanitarian needs to surge.

Essential roads are obstructed by checkpoints operated by both sides, while phone and Internet services are disrupted. The main airport in Lashio, the area’s largest town, has been closed since the fighting escalated.

Unimpeded humanitarian access is urgently required so that life-saving aid and services can reach people in need. Red tape must also be eliminated. 

All parties to the conflict must adhere to international humanitarian law, safeguarding the lives and well-being of civilians and the aid workers trying to assist them. 

Across Myanmar, 2 million people are now internally displaced, many of them having been uprooted multiple times.

The Humanitarian Response Plan for Myanmar is just 28 per cent funded, with less than two months left in the year.

Ukraine

OCHA warned that ongoing attacks in many parts of the country are having a horrific impact on civilians – damaging homes, grain facilities and critical infrastructure as temperatures drop. 

Over the weekend there were deadly attacks in southern and central Ukraine, including in the cities of Odesa and Kherson. 

Sunday’s attack in Odesa injured several residents and damaged homes, warehouses and vehicles near the port. Water, electricity and telecommunications services were also disrupted in parts of the city.

Humanitarian partners are providing shelter materials from the UN Refugee Agency to repair damage to structures, as well as cash, and legal and psychological support for affected families. 

In the Kherson Region, partners have delivered emergency shelter materials, blankets, mattresses, solar lamps and other items to support front-line communities during the winter months.