Today's top news: Syria, Occupied Palestinian Territory, Tropical Cyclone Chido, Vanuatu

#Syria

Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator Tom Fletcher told the Security Council earlier today that despite the dramatic pace of developments in Syria over the past three weeks, the scale of the humanitarian crisis in the country has not changed.

Briefing the Council from Damascus on the second day of his visit to Syria, Fletcher said aid operations are gradually resuming across most UN hubs, including Aleppo, Homs and in the capital.

Following his meetings with representatives of the caretaker authorities, the Under-Secretary-General said they have committed to an ambitious scaling-up of vital humanitarian support – and provided assurances that aid movements both across borders and conflict lines will be facilitated, including to north-east Syria.

Fletcher called on the Security Council to send a strong and unequivocal message that international humanitarian law must be respected, both in any ongoing hostilities and in meeting people’s basic needs. He also stressed the need for additional funding; with just two weeks left in 2024, this year’s humanitarian response plan – the largest country appeal in the world – is less than a third funded.

The Under-Secretary-General called on all States to facilitate the humanitarian effort in Syria, including by ensuring that sanctions and counterterrorism measures do not impede humanitarian operations.

“At a moment of hope and peril, we must rise to the challenge and back the people of Syria,” he said.

Tomorrow, Fletcher will travel to Aleppo, where the OCHA is working with UN teams and NGOs, before traveling to Idleb, where humanitarian needs are among the most severe in Syria.

The Under-Secretary-General will also travel to Ankara to discuss the crisis with the Government of Türkiye, whose facilitation of cross-border aid operations into Syria has been a lifeline. He will also hold discussions with authorities in Lebanon and Jordan, who have generously hosted Syrian refugees throughout the conflict.

#Occupied Palestinian Territory

OCHA says that UN-led aid missions to the North Gaza governorate continue to be overwhelmingly denied, especially those seeking to reach the besieged areas in Beit Lahiya, Beit Hanoun and parts of Jabalya. OCHA reports that today, three humanitarian missions planning to bring food and water to parts of besieged North Gaza were once again denied by Israeli authorities.

Overall, between 1 and 16 December, the UN attempted to reach these besieged areas 40 times, of which 38 attempts were denied and two were impeded.

As the Israeli siege on North Gaza continues, OCHA stresses once again that the civilians who remain there must be protected, and their essential needs must be met. This means facilitating the work of the UN and humanitarian partners, who have been trying to deliver food, water, health and other critical assistance – only to have their missions denied or impeded.

The World Health Organization (WHO) said it managed to reach Kamal Adwan Hospital in North Gaza governorate on Saturday, despite ongoing hostilities and explosions in the vicinity.

In a social media post, WHO’s Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said four other missions planning to reach the hospital were arbitrarily denied over the past week. This included efforts to re-deploy an international emergency medical team, which had to self-evacuate from the hospital 11 days ago due to hostilities. 

The team that reached Kamal Adwan on Saturday was able to deliver 5,000 litres of fuel, food, and medicines. They also transferred three patients and six companions to Al Shifa Hospital.

However, WHO says hostilities continue around Kamal Adwan, and recent attacks have further damaged the hospital’s oxygen supply and generators.

#Tropical Cyclone Chido

OCHA says that according to preliminary figures, at least 174,000 people have been affected since Tropical Cyclone Chido made landfall in Mozambique over the weekend.

National Disaster Management Authority in Mozambique is reporting that at least 34 people have been killed and more than 300 others injured. 

UN teams on the ground are reporting significant damage, with housing in some districts completely wiped out. Critical infrastructure is also severely damaged. In Mecufi district, medical professionals are having to operate from a school under extremely poor conditions.

The UN and partners are scaling up the response, despite critically low humanitarian supplies. The UN refugee agency is providing essential items – including blankets, sleeping mats, mosquito nets and emergency shelter supplies – to more than 2,600 people sheltering at the largest accommodation centre in Pemba, the capital of Cabo Delgado Province.

Additional funding is urgently needed to sustain the humanitarian response – at a time when Mozambique is also grappling with drought and conflict.

#Vanuatu

Vanuatu was struck overnight by a 7.3 magnitude earthquake that happened 30 km west of the capital Port Vila shortly before 1 p.m. local time.

Preliminary reports from authorities indicate damages to buildings and infrastructure in Port Vila. The Government reports at least 14 deaths and more than 200 people injured. 80,000 people could have been affected, according to the authorities.

Telecommunications remain disrupted and access to the airport and water port is severely limited due to road damage.

In Port Vila, the general hospital has been affected, with triage tents set up outside the building to manage the influx of patients injured during the earthquake and aftershocks.

Key immediate needs include healthcare, shelter, access to clean water, and the restoration of emergency communications. Emergency response efforts are underway, and humanitarian partners are mobilizing to assist the affected population.

The UN is closely monitoring the situation and coordinating with humanitarian partners to support the Government-led response. OCHA reports that the UN team on the ground in Vanuatu is coordinating with local disaster responders and the national disaster response agency to assess urgent needs and prioritize aid efforts.