Today's top news: Occupied Palestinian Territory, Sudan, Haiti

#Occupied Palestinian Territory

Lifesaving aid continues despite restrictions in Gaza

Four months since the Gaza ceasefire agreement came into effect, the humanitarian scale-up has saved countless lives and pushed back famine, OCHA said today.

However, many survivors remain in extremely harsh conditions and the humanitarian response face significant obstacles, especially to the entry of goods and the ability of humanitarian partners to operate.  

Almost 1.5 million people - two in every three Palestinians in Gaza - are staying in 1,000 displacement sites that are often overcrowded, and in tents that offer no privacy and little protection from the weather. Hundreds of families take shelter in damaged buildings at risk of collapse. 

Humanitarian partners continue to provide tents and tarpaulins as well as mattresses, clothes and other items, reaching more than 85,000 families in January. But these items offer limited protection and their lifespan is short. To provide more durable solutions, restrictions on the entry of essential construction materials and equipment must be lifted. 

This week, partners working on water, sanitation and hygiene distributed about 20,000 cubic metres of drinking water every day through more than 2,000 distribution points across the Strip.  

Meanwhile, humanitarian movements inside Gaza continue to require coordination with Israeli authorities, especially where Israeli forces remain deployed.  

Today, the UN attempted to coordinate eight humanitarian missions, five of which were fully facilitated. The three other missions -including one to reach a wastewater treatment plant in Khan Younis – were denied.  

The facilitated missions collected food and medical supplies from Kerem Shalom and monitored humanitarian cargo at the Kissufim and Kerem Shalom crossing platforms.  

#Sudan

Increase in drone attacks in Kordofan region kills civilians and drives displacement

OCHA warns that a sharp increase in drone attacks across the Kordofan region is endangering civilians, damaging critical infrastructure and deepening humanitarian needs. Casualties have been reported in several locations.

Over the past week, North Kordofan State recorded more than a dozen attacks in and around the towns of El Obeid, Bara, El Rahad and Um Rawaba.

Commercial vehicles, telecommunications infrastructure and key transport routes have been affected, disrupting humanitarian movements and supply chains.

In South Kordofan, suspected drone strikes hit health facilities in the state capital, Kadugli, and in Al Kuweik town, reportedly killing four medical workers, injuring more than 20 people, and affecting already fragile health services.

The violence is causing new displacement. In South Kordofan, over 300 displaced families are reported to have arrived in the town of Talodi in the southern part of the State in recent days, having travelled long distances, mostly on foot.

In North Kordofan, approximately 800 newly displaced people have reached Ar Rahad town. In West Kordofan, over 6,000 displaced people have reportedly arrived in Laqawa locality, fleeing insecurity in Kadugli and surrounding areas. Many urgently require shelter, food, safe water, medical care and protection support.

The UN and partners continue to deliver assistance where possible, including food distributions in El Obeid in North Kordofan. However, the humanitarian situation in Dilling and Kadugli continues to deteriorate. Rapid, safe, unhindered and sustained humanitarian access is essential to scale up lifesaving assistance.

OCHA once again calls for the protection of civilians, health facilities and humanitarian infrastructure, in line with international humanitarian law. OCHA also appeals for increased funding to support displaced families across the Kordofan region and Sudan as a whole.

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

#Haiti

Surge in child recruitment in Haiti

According to a UNICEF report published yesterday, child recruitment in Haiti has surged by around 200 per cent in 2025, underscoring the deep protection crisis facing children across the country.

Children recruited or influenced by armed groups face grave violations of their rights, including physical and psychological violence.

More than 1.4 million people are internally displaced and over half of them are children. They are exposed to armed violence, extreme poverty and disruptions in access to essential services such as education. UNICEF reports that at least 1,600 schools were closed or not fully functioning during the 2024-2025 academic year, further increasing children’s vulnerability to recruitment into armed groups.

Girls are particularly vulnerable to gender-based violence. Partners report that girls under 18 account for about 16 per cent of over 8,000 survivors of gender-based violence in 2025. Armed groups are responsible for nearly two-thirds of reported cases of sexual violence.

Since January 2024, 500 children associated with armed groups have been supported with protection and reintegration services, according to our partners. However, needs continue to outpace the response due to insecurity, access constraints and critical funding shortfalls.

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