World news summary: Updates on worsening crises in Gaza, South Sudan, DR Congo
There are only three operational field hospitals in Rafah in southern Gaza, one of which is only partially operational, and all of them are overcrowded and undersupplied. OCHA said the seven-month war has severely affected civilians and the infrastructure they depend on for health care.
The United Nations humanitarian aid agency said the Malnutrition Stabilization Center in the Tal as-Sultan area is currently not operational and teams are moving to the Nasser Medical Complex in Khan Younis.
OCHA also reports that the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) recorded about 32,000 people fleeing Rafah between Wednesday and Thursday.
‘Families are looking for safety’
OCHA said families are looking for safety but nowhere in the area is safe.
In central Gaza, humanitarian partners working to improve access to water, sanitation and hygiene note that “internally displaced persons who have sought shelter at locations in Khan Younis remain unable to have enough safe drinking water”.
These partners have established 10 new water supply points in Khan Younis, but emphasize that water production in Gaza is only one-fifth of what it was in October.
“Across Gaza, people face high health and environmental risks due to limited access to clean water and wastewater, damaged infrastructure, and lack of supplies,” OHCA said. sanitation and fuel shortages.
Aid partners reported that Khan Younis had no functioning garment pumping station, which forced displaced families to create temporary toilets.
Violence escalates in South Sudan
United Nations spokesman Stéphane Dujarric told journalists at United Nations Headquarters on Friday that United Nations peacekeeping forces in South Sudan are concerned about an outbreak of violence in Malakal in Upper Least State. Nile.
Escalating violence led to the deaths of several civilians on Thursday and led to increased tensions at the United Nations civil protection site near the U.N. peacekeeping mission’s base, SKIPwithin the state and among communities in Malakal town.
“The delegation called on state and local authorities as well as government security forces to maintain calm and stability in the region,” Mr. Dujarric said.
Violence causes ‘lasting harm’
“Such violence causes lasting harm to communities and also prevents UNMISS from continuing our vital peacebuilding and protection work,” warning Nicholas Haysom, head of the Mission.
UNMISS is continuously working with local authorities and communities to defuse the situation and has increased patrols at the peacekeeping site.
Amid the outbreak of violence, UNMISS calls on opposing sides to show restraint and use dialogue to resolve outstanding issues peacefully.
Clashes broke out in the Democratic Republic of Congo
In the Democratic Republic of Congo, humanitarian colleagues have expressed deep concern at the alarming deterioration of the humanitarian situation in North Kivu, in the east of the country, the UN Spokesperson said.
According to OCHA, clashes have recurred in some areas of Masisi, Rutshuru and Sake towns. Fresh fighting is moving closer to the city of Kanyabanyonga and has displaced civilians, many of whom have sought safety in nearby towns.
The city is hosting more than 100,000 men, women and children fleeing violence in Rutshuru and Masisi, but due to the current insecurity in the area, humanitarian efforts have been suspended, with at least 48,000 people have had their support cut off in the past week.
Warring parties must protect civilians: OCHA
A UN spokesman said the escalating violence risked worsening the already precarious humanitarian situation in North Kivu, where more than 2.7 million people have been displaced.
On Friday, the United Nations emergency relief agency, OCHA, called on all parties to the conflict to comply with international humanitarian law and take immediate steps to protect civilians and facilities. civil infrastructure.
The UN spokesman said additional resources to address humanitarian needs in Congo were urgently needed. In the first five months of the year, the annual response plan was only 23% funded, with $591 million in the bank out of the $2.6 billion needed.
Humanitarian organizations reached more than 3.1 million people in the country with vital aid in the first three months of 2024, he said, nearly a quarter of the population they aim to serve.
