Today's top news: Occupied Palestinian Territory, Sudan

#Occupied Palestinian Territory

Gaza families mark Ramadan in harsh conditions

Families across Gaza are marking the first day of Ramadan today in harsh conditions - in unsafe shelters or out in the open, and with limited access to essential goods and services.

UN and partners working on food security have adjusted the distribution hours to better align with fasting hours during Ramadan. This is to reduce overcrowding, especially ahead of iftar. These measures are intended to ensure access for older persons, people with disabilities, and women who head their household.

Meanwhile, at the Rafah crossing, conditions for passengers remain inadequate.

The UN and humanitarian partners have visited the re-opened crossing and have noted gaps in basic facilities, including limited availability of latrines and handwashing stations, raising concerns for hygiene at the collection points. People are experiencing prolonged waiting periods with insufficient seating and a lack of wheelchairs, often in areas with limited shade. The condition of the access road to and from Rafah is also of concern, particularly for patients being medically evacuated.

The UN is engaging with relevant authorities to ensure that conditions are safe and dignified.

#Sudan

UN convoy enters Southern Kordofan region with life-saving aid

A UN convoy with life-saving supplies for more than 130,000 people has reached the cities of Dilling and Kadugli in South Kordofan. 

Led by the World Food Programme, UNICEF and the United Nations Development Programme, this 26-truck convoy is the first to reach these areas in more than three months. 

Dilling and Kadugli have recently been under prolonged sieges, with commercial and humanitarian supply routes cut off, contributing to spiraling humanitarian needs. Recent analysis from the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) pointed towards likely famine conditions in both cities.

The movement of this latest convoy was delayed for several weeks due to high levels of insecurity along the route. 

It is now critical to build on this break-through with sustained access to people in need across South Kordofan and the broader Kordofan region. This requires the facilitation of the parties to the conflict in line with their obligations under international humanitarian law.

Funding remains an essential part of the equation. This year's humanitarian response plan calls for $2.9 billion to reach more than 20 million people – two out of every five people – across the country. We call for donors to step up their support.

 *Donations made to UN Crisis Relief help UN agencies and humanitarian NGOs reach people in Sudan with urgent support.