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

#Occupied Palestinian Territory

The Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs Martin Griffiths welcomed the announcement today that the border crossing at Kerem Shalom will be open for direct delivery of humanitarian assistance to Gaza.

In a social media post, Mr. Griffiths said the fast implementation of this agreement will increase the flow of aid, adding that what the people in Gaza need most is an end to the war.

The UN Office for the Coordination reports that many parts of Gaza remain flooded after the heavy rains on December 13th, compounding human suffering and adding to the risk of waterborne disease.

There have been clashes in the vicinity of Al Awda Hospital in Jabaliya in northern Gaza, with 250 doctors, patients and their family members reportedly trapped.

Communications are back after being down for several hours yesterday evening. The shutdown of communications severely impacts the ability of emergency services and aid workers to reach vulnerable people

#Sudan

The Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs Martin Griffiths says he is deeply dismayed that fighting continues to spread in Sudan. 

In a social media post, Mr. Griffiths warned that the clashes that erupted outside Wad Medani today – which is 136 kilometres southeast of the capital Khartoum – threaten tens of thousands of civilians already displaced by the conflict. It’s also a critical hub for our humanitarian operations. 

Mr. Griffiths said that after eight months of war in Sudan, the fighting must stop now. 

Wad Medani is located in Aj Jazirah state, which is Sudan’s breadbasket. The state also hosts more than half a million people who have fled the fighting since 15 April this year. 

Shops and markets in Wad Medani have reportedly closed due to the fighting between the Sudanese Armed Forces and Rapid Support Forces. A key bridge has also partially closed. 

All humanitarian field missions within and from Aj Jazirah State have been suspended until further notice.

#Myanmar

Fighting between the Myanmar Armed Forces and various groups persists across much of the country. 

More than 660,000 people are estimated to have been newly displaced since the escalation of armed conflict on 27 October. The situation remains fluid, with some people having been displaced multiple times and others starting to return home. 

Currently, 2.6 million people are displaced across Myanmar.

The current volatile situation has resulted in civilian casualties, arbitrary arrests, exploitation, extortion, forced recruitment and forced labour.

Food, safe shelter, hygiene kits, basic health services and protection support remain priorities. There are reports of shortages of essential supplies d in many areas due to commercial and humanitarian transport being blocked. 

Despite insecurity, access, and telecommunication challenges, humanitarian continues to be provided where possible. For example, our partners have now reached more than 80 per cent of those displaced in northern Shan.

The UN and our partners continue to seek to access more people affected by the conflict. An inter-agency mission was completed to the state of Wa earlier this morning, with another set to deliver aid to displaced people in southern Shan. 

Despite surging needs, the 2023 Humanitarian Response Plan, calling for nearly US$890 million, is just 29 per cent funded at $257 million, with just over two weeks left in the year. We need an urgent injection of funds to sustain the humanitarian response into the new year.

#Ukraine

Our humanitarian partners are scaling up support for civilians in need as winter approaches. 

Today, an inter-agency convoy delivered 3 tons of humanitarian assistance for nearly 3,000 people who remain in Beryslavska – one of the front-line communities in the Kherson Region, in southern Ukraine.

This small community has been severely impacted by the war, with more than 80 per cent of its residents having fled. Those who stayed are among the most vulnerable and subjected to constant bombardments that damage homes and decimate vital services, including access to electricity, gas and basic supplies.

Today’s convoy brought solar lamps, hygiene kits and repair materials so that residents can fix homes damaged by shelling. This winter assistance is essential, with ongoing attacks putting millions of people at risk as temperatures drop. 

Today, not far from where we delivered those supplies, an attack in Kherson City killed one person and damaged homes and the local market. Humanitarian organizations responded with critical assistance.

Across the Kherson Region, over the past two months, more than 50,000 people have received winter assistance, including cash support for energy needs and the provision of winter clothes and heating. 

In total, as mentioned yesterday, the UN and our partners have already provided 800,000 people in Ukraine with support for the winter months.