Today's top news: Sudan, Occupied Palestinian Territory, Democratic Republic of the Congo, South Sudan
#Sudan
UN will not retreat from saving lives, says Emergency Relief Coordinator, marking two years of conflict
Marking the two years since the conflict erupted in Sudan, the Emergency Relief Coordinator, Tom Fletcher said in a social media post that some may be retreating from saving lives, but the UN will not. He added that he refuses to believe that the public has lost basic human solidarity and that Sudan is a test for those values
In a statement today, the Humanitarian Coordinator for Sudan, Clementine Nkweta-Salami, described the conflict as a crisis of humanity, emphasizing that millions of lives hang in the balance. She called for the protection of civilians and aid workers, full respect for international humanitarian law and an immediate end to the violence.
OCHA echoes her call and urge all parties to allow safe, unhindered access for aid workers and to meet their obligations under international humanitarian law.
Meanwhile, OCHA remains deeply concerned by ongoing reports of mass displacement, mounting civilian deaths and continued access restrictions in North Darfur State.
The International Organization for Migration reports that up to 400,000 people have fled Zamzam camp in recent days amid escalating insecurity. Most remain displaced within the locality of El Fasher, while others have sought refuge in the towns of Tawila and Dar As Salam.
As of today, Zamzam camp is inaccessible, and a communication blackout continues to hinder independent verification. Local sources indicate that armed groups have taken control of the camp and are restricting the movement of those remaining, particularly young people. Satellite images reveal widespread fire damage across the camp.
In the past three days alone, more than 400 people, including 12 humanitarian workers, are reported to have been killed in Zamzam and Um Kadadah in North Darfur, according to local sources. Among them was the manager of a children’s centre in Zamzam, who died after being injured in shelling. Eleven others were killed in an attack on a health facility operated by Relief International.
#Occupied Palestinian Territory
Humanitarian situation in Gaza continues to worsen
OCHA says that the humanitarian situation in Gaza continues to worsen since the intensification of hostilities on 18 March.
Humanitarian partners report ongoing civilian casualties amid the destruction of more infrastructure. This includes today’s Israeli strike on the Kuwaiti Field Hospital in Khan Younis which reportedly injured several staff members, including two nurses, according to the Ministry of Health and local health partners.
OCHA says that the latest strikes on hospitals further cripple Gaza's health care system. There are currently very few beds available in hospitals and patients are being accommodated in tents. Partners working in health also stress the need for thousands of blood units for life-saving operations.
Meanwhile, humanitarian partners say that food commodities in warehouses have reached very low levels.
Additionally, Israeli military reportedly attacked thousands of homes and facilities equipped with solar power. These panels are essential for basic services to help the population survive. OCHA says that Gaza has remained under an electricity blackout since October 2023.
Finally, last week, humanitarian partners installed a generator to produce clean water for more than 20,000 people in northern Gaza.
#Democratic Republic of the Congo
Clashes in North, South Kivu uproot more civilians
OCHA reports that ongoing clashes in parts of North Kivu and South Kivu provinces, in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, continue to displace civilians and severely disrupt critical humanitarian operations.
In North Kivu province, humanitarian sources confirm that violent clashes overnight from 11 to 12 April in multiple neighborhoods of Goma, forced civilians to shelter in their homes.
Humanitarian organizations say that, between 8 and 12 April, fighting in the Masisi, Walikale and Lubero territories has displaced nearly 80,000 people. Humanitarian operations in these areas have been further restricted due to continued security constraints.
In Lubero territory, clashes between 9 and 10 April killed two civilians, according to local humanitarian partners.
Clashes also continue in South Kivu province. More than 70,000 people were displaced in Kalehe territory during the first two weeks of April, and more than 40,000 people fled Fizi territory between 27 March and 12 April. Between 10 and 13 April, new clashes in Fizi and Walungu territories forced over 16,000 people to flee.
Meanwhile, thousands leaving North and South Kivu provinces continue to arrive in Maniema province. Recent assessments by humanitarian partners confirm that 125,000 displaced people reached Lubutu and Punia territories between 19 and 30 March alone. They urgently need of shelter, food and health care.
OCHA reiterates its call for safe and unimpeded access to civilians and urgent donor support to scale up assistance.
#South Sudan
Civilians at risk amid escalating violence
The Humanitarian Coordinator in South Sudan, Anita Kiki Gbeho, said today she is deeply concerned by the rapidly escalating violence in the country.
During a visit to Malakal, the capital of Upper Nile State, Gbeho said that she heard first-hand accounts of the impact of the violence on people.
She emphasized that all involved in the violence must refrain from harming people – this includes humanitarian personnel who risk their lives every day to deliver aid.
Since March of this year, clashes and bombardments have killed more than 180 people, injured over 250 others and displaced some 125,000 people. Four humanitarian workers have been killed, while six health facilities have been forced to shut down.