Today's top news: Occupied Palestinian Territory, Sudan, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia, Ukraine
#Occupied Palestinian Territory
Deadly bombardment of Gaza drives displacement, disrupts aid
A United Nations Office for Project Services staff member was killed in Gaza when two UN guesthouses in Deir Al Balah were hit in strikes, with five other UN personnel seriously injured. In a statement today, Secretary-General António Guterres strongly condemned all attacks on UN personnel and called for a full investigation.
OCHA reports that Israeli bombardments in Gaza continue, resulting in many more deaths – hundreds, according to the local authorities – as well as mass displacement and the destruction of civilian infrastructure. Many of the casualties are women and children.
This morning, evacuation leaflets were again dropped over Beit Lahiya and Beit Hanoun in North Gaza, as well as eastern Khan Younis, ordering residents to leave their homes.
The UN and its partners estimate that due to these evacuation orders, thousands of people have already been displaced. In southern Gaza, humanitarian partners report that families have fled from east to west Khan Younis, seeking shelter with relatives or in open areas. In Rafah, many displaced people have moved toward the Mawasi area and other areas along the coast.
In the north, many fleeing Beit Hanoun have sought safety in public schools or UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) schools in western Gaza city, while others have found temporary shelter in Beit Lahiya and other neighbourhoods in Gaza governorate.
Urgent humanitarian needs include food, potable water, clothing and blankets. Reports indicate that some people risked returning to Beit Hanoun this morning to collect personal belongings.
The closure of crossings into Gaza for humanitarian and all other supplies is now in its 18th day, severely disrupting relief operations and worsening an already catastrophic situation.
Due to security concerns, multiple humanitarian services and activities across Gaza have been interrupted or suspended over the past two days.
The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) warns that hospitals across Gaza are overwhelmed. IFRC reports that without medical supplies, medicines and fuel, it is becoming increasingly difficult for the Palestine Red Crescent Society (PRCS) to provide life-saving treatment and operate ambulance services. Less than half of 53 PRCS ambulances remain operational due to fuel shortages.
Partners working in food security report that distributions of food have been disrupted due to the deteriorating security situation and the proximity of distribution points to evacuation zones.
About 30 community kitchens providing cooked meals were forced to close yesterday. As of today, kitchens in east Khan Younis and North Gaza are still closed.
Education has also been affected, with learning activities in 163 temporary learning spaces suspended, leaving thousands of students without access to education.
Meanwhile in the West Bank, OCHA warns of the deteriorating security situation, which continues to drive casualties, displacement and humanitarian needs.
Israeli operations are expanding into new areas. This morning, Israeli forces raided Ein Beit el Ma refugee camp in Nablus, ordering five families to vacate their homes, which were turned into military zones. The families were instructed not to return for three days. Fearing an extended operation in the camp, about 45 additional families have preemptively fled.
Despite access challenges and funding shortages, the UN and humanitarian partners continue to provide life-saving assistance to affected communities.
#Sudan
Civilians killed amid escalating hostilities in Khartoum State
OCHA warns that escalating attacks in the Sudanese cities of Omdurman and Khartoum are putting civilians at grave risk. As fighting intensifies, there are reports that residential areas are increasingly being targeted.
Local responders say a drone strike yesterday in the Imtedaad Nasir area of East Khartoum reportedly killed five women and injured several others.
On Monday during evening prayers, several people were reportedly killed by artillery shelling in the Karari area north of Omdurman, with more than 40 others injured, including children.
OCHA renews its urgent call for all parties to the conflict to refrain from targeting civilians and civilian infrastructure. Under international humanitarian law, all sides must take every possible measure to protect civilians and ensure safe passage for those seeking safety and assistance.
Meanwhile in North Darfur, armed clashes in and around El Fasher continue to displace thousands of people into Zamzam camp, which is under siege and facing famine – and where resources and services are already critically overstretched. Checkpoints around the camp are blocking civilian movement, further isolating vulnerable people in dire need of assistance.
The situation in Zamzam camp remains catastrophic. Families are struggling to survive, and food, nutrition and medical assistance is urgently needed. Water trucking has been suspended due to security risks, increasing the likelihood of waterborne disease outbreaks.
Immediate humanitarian assistance and access are critical to prevent further loss of life. OCHA continues to call for an immediate cessation of hostilities across Sudan and full, unhindered humanitarian access to ensure life-saving aid reaches those most in need.
#Democratic Republic of the Congo
Clashes in South Kivu imperil aid operations
OCHA reports that violence and insecurity in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo continue to force people from their homes, as well as kill and injure civilians.
In North Kivu province, local humanitarian sources report that dozens of civilians were killed on 17 and 18 March during clashes in Walikale territory. Other serious incidents also occurred during the clashes, including sexual violence and attacks on schools and hospitals.
In South Kivu province, humanitarian partners are struggling to deliver assistance to more than 1 million people in the territories of Uvira and Fizi due to ongoing clashes. It is particularly urgent to deliver medical supplies in Uvira, where mpox and cholera continue to spread.
In Ituri province, authorities reported that clashes yesterday in the town of Fataki displaced more than 5,000 people. Calm has now reportedly returned, but a number of humanitarian partners have suspended their movements in the area as a precaution.
In southern DRC, local authorities in Haut-Lomami province report that armed violence has displaced some 15,000 people in Malemba Nkulu territory since 13 March. These clashes are part of a cycle of violence in the area, which last year forced some 150,000 people to flee their homes and killed at least seven civilians.
#Ethiopia
Humanitarians continue to support response in Tigray
OCHA is closely monitoring developments in Ethiopia’s Tigray region. People there are still recovering from the impact of the recent conflict, with the region hosting more than half a million internally displaced people.
It is critically important to preserve the gains made under the Cessation of Hostilities Agreement. Its full and sustained implementation must be the foundation for lasting peace and stability in Ethiopia.
A relapse into conflict would have devastating humanitarian consequences, further undermining fragile recovery efforts and placing additional pressure on already vulnerable communities.
The UN and its humanitarian partners continue to support the Government-led response.
#Ukraine
Patients evacuated, hospitals damaged by attacks in Sumy region
OCHA reports that hostilities and drone strikes continue to kill and injure civilians across Ukraine.
Authorities and aid workers say several people were killed and more than a dozen wounded in attacks today and yesterday in the regions of Donetsk, Kharkiv, Kyiv and Sumy. Scores of homes, hospitals and other civilian infrastructure were also damaged.
In the Sumy region, two hospitals were damaged, forcing rescuers to evacuate scores of patients and health workers.
Humanitarian organizations mobilized to support to those affected, including by providing materials to repair homes, hygiene items and other vital aid.