Today's top news: Occupied Palestinian Territory, Syria, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ukraine

#Occupied Palestinian Territory

Halt on aid into Gaza hampers people’s access to essentials

OCHA warns that after 11 days of no humanitarian assistance entering Gaza, the crucial progress made during the first six weeks of the ceasefire continues to unravel. Across Gaza, it is becoming more difficult for people to access decent and sufficient food, water, medical services and other vital support.

Efforts to restore the health system in Gaza continue, but progress is slow. In North Gaza governorate, only 16 per cent of health service points are functioning either fully or partially. That includes three out of five hospitals, six out of 50 medical points, and four of over two dozen primary healthcare centres. In Rafah, only 11 per cent of health service points are functioning.

Major challenges also persist in solid waste management. Overflowing trash is creating unsanitary living conditions and heightening public health risks. The problem is compounded by a lack of spare parts, with 80 per cent of all waste collection vehicles and containers damaged or destroyed.

Partners have noted the inadequate management of infectious medical waste, as well as the mixture of solid waste with debris contaminated with explosive hazards. Teams are working to move waste from 70 makeshift dump sites into 30 temporary ones – but most are already full. Access to other sites closer to the border is urgently needed.

Meanwhile, partners working on mine action continue to warn of explosive hazards. This year, three people have been killed and nearly 40 injured in 18 explosions recorded to date. Until teams are able to clear explosive ordnance, they are assessing priority sites and marking hazards while raising awareness, especially among children. Since the ceasefire, they have carried out nearly 140 assessments, prioritizing humanitarian sites.

Education efforts are making some headway. Since the ceasefire, partners have set up more than 200 temporary learning spaces, bringing the total to over 630. These spaces support more than 170,000 children. As of yesterday, about 60 per cent of all school-age children in Gaza have access to some form of learning – either in schools or in temporary spaces. However, partners are still unable to bring in any of the supplies and equipment necessary for education, including large tents and student kits.

#Syria

UN supports urgent needs in coastal areas

OCHA says that the UN and its humanitarian partners are mobilized and supporting the response amid recent escalation in violence in Syria's coastal areas.

Access to vital services continues to be severely challenged, with some cities still lacking electricity, including Lattakia.

Water is being distributed via the main network in Lattakia Governorate, but rural areas face shortages due to generator maintenance needs. Bakeries are operational, and shops are reopening, though essential materials and fuel are scarce.

UNICEF has supplied 38 tons of water treatment supplies to Lattakia's Water Authority, covering over two months of needs. UNICEF will also provide five water tanks to Jableh National Hospital, Lattakia governorate, to replace damaged ones.

UNICEF, the International Committee of the Red Cross and the Syrian Arab Red Crescent are collaborating to maintain the Al Sin Spring generator in Tartus ensuring drinking water supply.

Health partners have delivered emergency supplies, including 64 trauma and emergency surgical kits and non-communicable disease treatments to Tartous and Lattakia to be distributed as soon as security permits.

#Democratic Republic of the Congo

More civilians displaced amid deadly clashes in eastern DRC

OCHA warns that ongoing clashes and attacks in the east of the Democratic Republic of the Congo are killing civilians and forcing more people to flee.

In North Kivu, local humanitarian sources report that at least 13 civilians were killed in an attack by the Allied Democratic Forces armed group on 9 March in Lubero Territory. Survivors have reportedly fled to nearby areas.

Despite continued fighting in several areas, we and our humanitarian partners have continued assessments as security permits. More than 160,000 people who have returned to Lubero Territory, which has faced chronic instability in recent decades, need food, shelter, water and health care.

In South Kivu, humanitarian partners report that an air strike on Monday in Fizi territory, damaged the Minembwe airport, a critical lifeline for essential supplies. Over 1,000 displaced households, mostly women and children, are sheltering in Minembwe locality amid severe shortages of basic goods, according to humanitarian partners.

In Walungu Territory, ongoing clashes have displaced more than 65,000 people since mid-February. Local authorities and humanitarian partners also report alarming attacks on civilians, including gender-based violence.

In Bukavu, South Kivu’s capital, humanitarian partners are highlighting urgent needs for food, healthcare, and protection services for large numbers of displaced people who have sought safety in the outskirts of Bukavu after fleeing clashes elsewhere in the region. Needs assessments are underway.

The cholera outbreak continues to spread in the east of the country. Authorities in Maniema Province, bordering South Kivu, have declared an outbreak in seven localities and appealed for urgent support. Resource gaps in the health sector and recurrent floods are the main drivers of the outbreak.

In the Tanganyika province, south of South Kivu and Maniema, ongoing fighting between local armed groups in Moba Territory has reportedly forced more than 25,000 people to flee to neighboring areas. Many of those fleeing had already been displaced by earlier rounds of violence, and humanitarian sources estimate nearly 90,000 people are now displaced in the affected areas.

#Ukraine

Aid workers reach front-line communities as attacks continue across Ukraine

OCHA reports that attacks yesterday and early this morning resulted in civilian deaths and injuries across different areas of Ukraine.

Donetsk, Dnipro, Kryvyi Rih, and Kherson regions were among the most affected. Apartment buildings, homes, a hospital, schools, vehicles, shops, and administrative premises were damaged. Authorities also report disruptions to gas and electricity networks. 

In Odesa, a commercial maritime vessel docked in the port was reportedly struck by a missile in the early hours of 12 March, killing four sailors. According to the authorities, the civilian vessel was intended to transport grain to Algeria. 

In Kryvyi Rih and Dnipro, humanitarian organizations responded swiftly and provided first aid, including shelter material and psychological support. 

Humanitarian efforts also continue in Kherson region, where an inter-agency convoy delivered much-needed assistance to frontline communities yesterday. The convoy transported generators, medicines, hygiene supplies, and winter-related items, including essential supplies for women and girls. Continuing hostilities in Kherson region have left many residents without electricity in severely damaged homes; such convoys serve as a critical lifeline for residents. 

Since the start of 2025, the UN and its humanitarian partners have facilitated 13 humanitarian convoys, including six to Kherson region, reaching nearly 17,000 residents in frontline communities in the east and south of Ukraine. As needs persist and the situation evolves, humanitarian organizations remain committed to ensure that vital aid reaches those most affected by the conflict.