Latest news with #UN-coordinated
Middle East Eye
7 days ago
- Politics
- Middle East Eye
6,000 aid trucks blocked outside Gaza, says Unwra chief
The United Nations has nearly 6,000 food trucks currently stuck outside Gaza and ready to enter the territory, said Unwra chief Philippe Lazzarini on Friday. "UNRWA has 6,000 aid trucks blocked outside Gaza, awaiting the green light to enter," Lazzarini stated on social media platform X, adding that aid airdrops are ineffective and insufficient. "If there is political will to allow extremely costly, insufficient, and ineffective airdrops, then there should be similar political will to open road crossings," he added, without explicitly naming Israel, which has blocked aid into Gaza, leading to famine. The UN, including Unwra and partners, "were able to bring in 500 to 600 trucks a day during the ceasefire earlier this year," Lazzarini said. That aid "reached the entire population of Gaza safely and with dignity" and with "no diversions," he said, stressing that "no alternative to the UN-coordinated response has produced similar results."
Shafaq News
25-07-2025
- Health
- Shafaq News
MSF: Israel using starvation as weapon in Gaza
Shafaq News – Gaza On Friday, Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) accused Israel of weaponizing hunger in Gaza by restricting humanitarian aid, warning that malnutrition has reached catastrophic levels across the Strip. According to the medical charity, one in four children under five, along with pregnant and breastfeeding women, are now suffering from malnutrition. In Gaza City alone, cases have quadrupled since mid-May, and severe malnutrition among children has tripled in just two weeks. 'Each morning, the same question echoes: will I eat today?' said Caroline Willemen, MSF's Field Coordinator. Emergency Response Lead Amande Bazerolle described the situation as one where civilians are being 'deliberately cut off from life-sustaining aid.' MSF urged an immediate ceasefire, reopening of crossings, and the establishment of a UN-coordinated system to allow the unrestricted flow of food, medicine, fuel, and shelter. Similar warnings have been issued by over 100 aid groups—including Oxfam and Save the Children—who say Gaza is on the brink of mass starvation as food supplies vanish and access remains obstructed. UN agencies have also sounded the alarm; hospitals are overwhelmed, therapeutic food stocks are nearly depleted, and UNICEF has warned that key nutrition supplements may run out by mid-August.
RTÉ News
16-07-2025
- Health
- RTÉ News
Gaza Humanitarian Foundation says 20 dead at aid point
The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation has said that 20 people died at an aid point in Khan Younis, in the south of the Palestinian territory. "Our current understanding is that 19 of the victims were trampled and one was stabbed amid a chaotic and dangerous surge," the US- and Israel-backed organisation said in a statement. "We have credible reason to believe that elements within the crowd - armed and affiliated with Hamas - deliberately fomented the unrest," GHF said in a statement. Palestinian heath officials said at least 20 people had died of suffocation at the site. One medic said lots of people had been crammed into a small space and had been crushed. The GHF, which began distributing food packages in late May after Israel lifted an 11-week blockade on humanitarian supplies, has previously rejected UN criticism, accusing it of spreading misinformation. The UN has called the GHF's model "inherently unsafe" and a breach of humanitarian impartiality standards. GHF operates outside the UN-coordinated aid system and uses private US security and logistics contractors to deliver aid - an approach Israel says reduces the risk of Hamas looting, a charge the group denies. The United Nations rights office says it has documented at least 875 deaths over the past six weeks near aid sites and convoys in Gaza, the majority of them near GHF distribution points.
Associated Press
30-05-2025
- General
- Associated Press
Action Against Hunger Statement on Gaza Humanitarian Aid Distribution
Published by Action Against Hunger. Contact [email protected] for inquiries. May 30, 2025 /3BL/ - Action Against Hunger remains deeply committed to addressing the catastrophic humanitarian crisis in Gaza, where the entire population faces severe hunger, displacement, and grave suffering. Our priority is the swift, safe, and impartial delivery of lifesaving assistance to civilians in need, in accordance with humanitarian principles. Action Against Hunger has not endorsed (and will not endorse), nor agreed to collaborate with any mechanism that does not comply with fundamental humanitarian principles. Action Against Hunger firmly supports the UN-coordinated response as the most viable, principled, and immediately actionable framework for large-scale aid delivery. This system has been tested, is already operational, and remains the best pathway to reach those most in need without delay. We cannot afford to divert attention or resources from proven mechanisms when lives hang in the balance. We urgently call for an immediate ceasefire, the unconditional release of all hostages, and full, unhindered humanitarian access to Gaza. Action Against Hunger continues to advocate for all parties to uphold international humanitarian law and ensure the protection of civilians. *** Action Against Hunger leads the global movement to end hunger. We innovate solutions, advocate for change, and reach 21 million people every year with proven hunger prevention and treatment programs. As a nonprofit that works across over 55 countries, our 8,900 dedicated staff members partner with communities to address the root causes of hunger, including climate change, conflict, inequity, and emergencies. We strive to create a world free from hunger, for everyone, for good. Action Against Hunger has been assisting the population in Gaza for more than 20 years. Responding to the escalating crisis, our teams have mobilized to provide hot meals and fresh and dry food, distribute hygiene kits, connect people with shelters, and truck clean water into communities. Since the start of the conflict, under restricted access and frequent blackouts, Action Against Hunger has assisted more than one million people in Gaza and the West Bank.
Zawya
17-02-2025
- Politics
- Zawya
United Nations (UN) urges global action to protect and support civilians devastated by Sudan's war
Nearly two years of conflict have fueled a catastrophic protection crisis and displaced a staggering 12 million people in Sudan and across borders. Fighting continues to kill and injure civilians and destroy hospitals, markets and other essential infrastructure. Nearly two-thirds of the population need emergency aid, and the country is facing famine conditions. Refugees in dire need arrive in neighbouring countries where local resources are already stretched thin. In response, the United Nations and partners today launch the 2025 humanitarian and refugee response plans for Sudan, appealing for a combined US$6 billion to assist nearly 26 million people inside the country and in the region. 'Sudan is a humanitarian emergency of shocking proportions,' said Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator Tom Fletcher. 'Famine is taking hold. An epidemic of sexual violence rages. Children are being killed and injured. The suffering is appalling. But our plan is a lifeline to millions. We need to stop the fighting, the funding to deliver for the Sudanese people, and better access by land, sea and air to those who need help.' 'Today, one-third of Sudan's entire population is displaced. The consequences of this horrific and senseless conflict spread far beyond Sudan's borders,' said Filippo Grandi, UN High Commissioner for Refugees. 'Neighbouring countries have shown great solidarity by welcoming refugees, even when more are arriving every day. But their resources are stretched – essentials such as water, shelter and health services are scarce – and Sudan needs urgent support. The international community must step up and help, not just to ensure that emergency aid and life-saving protection can continue without disruption, but also to end the violence and restore peace to Sudan.' Response in Sudan Famine conditions have been reported in at least five locations in Sudan including displacement camps in Darfur and in the western Nuba Mountains. Catastrophic hunger is expected to worsen by May when the lean season begins. With continued fighting and basic services having collapsed across most of the country, the crisis is set to get worse. The Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan for Sudan aims to reach nearly 21 million vulnerable people with life-saving aid and protection. This is the highest number of people in any UN-coordinated plan this year and requires $4.2 billion in support. Response in the region As the conflict rages on, thousands continue to flee every day. The majority arrive in an extremely vulnerable state, with high levels of malnutrition and requiring emergency assistance. To date, nearly 3.5 million people have sought safety in neighbouring countries further stretching already scarce services and resources. The Regional Refugee Response Plan will prioritize the delivery of life-saving assistance and protection, including emergency shelters, relocation from border areas to safer locations, psychosocial support, clean water, healthcare and education. Humanitarian partners will need $1.8 billion to support 4.8 million people in the Central African Republic, Chad, Egypt, Ethiopia, Libya, South Sudan and Uganda. The plan also aims to help host countries strengthen national services and implement programmes that will help bring stability. Without immediate funding, two-thirds of refugee children will be denied access to primary education, threatening an entire generation. Up to 4.8 million refugees and host community members will continue to face severe food insecurity, with at least 1.8 million going without food assistance. Already strained health systems may collapse. Achievements in 2024 With US$1.8 billion in support last year, humanitarian organizations reached more than 15.6 million people across Sudan. Assistance included food and livelihoods support for more than 13 million people as well as water, sanitation and hygiene support, health and nutrition, and shelter assistance. Humanitarian organizations working in neighbouring countries provided lifesaving assistance delivering food to over a million people, medical support to half a million and protection services to over 800,000. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Office for Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA).
