Today's top news: Occupied Palestinian Territory, Afghanistan, Myanmar
Occupied Palestinian Territory
The Humanitarian Coordinator for the Occupied Palestinian Territory, Lynn Hastings, said today that the United Nations and its humanitarian partners in the Occupied Palestinian Territory are working to meet acute needs, in particular shelter, in dangerous circumstances. However, access for humanitarian staff and supplies into Gaza has also been cut, and the intensity of the hostilities is limiting the ability of staff to deliver aid.
In her statement, Ms. Hastings said at least 200,000 of Gaza’s 2.2 million residents have been displaced after fleeing for fear of their lives or their houses were destroyed by airstrikes. Most are taking shelter in UNRWA schools. She noted that Israeli authorities have cut their water supply to Gaza, reducing an already scarce availability of potable water.
In accordance with the complete siege ordered by the Israeli Government on Gaza, access to electricity, food, and fuel have also been severed, Ms. Hastings noted, inevitably worsening the already dire humanitarian situation. Palestinians in Gaza now only have electricity to 3 to 4 hours per day, hindering the ability of health facilities to function and treat those injured, she noted.
Health care facilities and personnel have also been affected by the attacks: Since hostilities began, eight health care facilities in Gaza have been damaged. Hospitals in Gaza are overwhelmed with mass casualties and are running low on medical supplies. Meanwhile, ambulances are running out of fuel.
Afghanistan
Aftershocks continue three days after the earthquake which struck Herat Province and affected more than 12,000 people.
The district of Zindajan is the worst affected area, with more than 1,300 people killed and nearly 500 people still reported missing, according to community-level assessments. Latest UN satellite imagery also indicates extreme levels of destruction in the district of Injil.
We and our partners are on the ground and providing assistance.
The World Food Programme distributed high-energy biscuits to more than 450 households in Zindajan district and dispatched 75 tons of foods to Zindajan and Gularan districts.
Health partners are providing emergency trauma care in Herat Regional Hospital - which is the main referral hospital - as well as primary healthcare and mental health support in affected villages.
The International Organization for Migration has delivered emergency shelter tents, non-food items and repair tool kits and water trucks. UNICEF has distributed hygiene kits and soaps and is providing water trucking. The UN Population Fund (UNFPA) has also provided dignity kits and mother and baby kits to affected communities and is also providing specialized counselling.
Our humanitarian colleagues warn that children are particularly vulnerable and have suffered severe psychological distress from the earthquake. They require mental health and psychosocial support.
Myanmar
According to reports from humanitarian partners, 30 internally displaced people and other civilians were killed and dozens more injured in a bombing near Laiza in Kachin. This incident affected a village and an adjacent displacement camp which is home to more than 6,000 people.
Kachin has seen an escalation in fighting over recent months driving a surge in displacement, as well as worsening needs and protection concerns.
Humanitarian organizations have faced severe access restrictions in this part of Kachin for many years. Our partners need unimpeded and safe access to deliver timely and efficient assistance to displaced communities.
Yesterday’s incident underscores the dangers faced by the nearly two million people who are now displaced in Myanmar, including 1.7 million people who have fled their homes as a result of conflict and insecurity since February 2021.
The Humanitarian Response Plan for Myanmar, which calls for nearly $890 million, is just 28 per cent funded.