Today's top news: Occupied Palestinian Territory, Ukraine, Sudan

Occupied Palestinian Territory

The humanitarian pause, agreed upon by Israel and Hamas, was largely maintained on 27 November for the fourth consecutive day. It has enabled humanitarian actors, primarily the Egyptian and Palestinian Red Crescent Societies and UN agencies, to enhance the delivery of assistance into and across Gaza.

Yesterday, dozens of United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) and Palestine Red Crescent Society (PRCS) aid trucks reached areas north of Wadi Gaza. The assistance included medical supplies, ready-to-eat food, wheat flour, bottled water, tents and blankets, which were delivered to four UNRWA shelters and three main warehouses for subsequent distribution. The aid also included small amounts of fuel delivered to water production facilities, towards their reactivation following the completion of repairs.

In the southern parts of Gaza, UNRWA has continued to distribute wheat flour to internally displaced people in and outside shelters.

To enable addressing the immense scope of needs, aid groups have called for the immediate re-opening of more crossing points, including for the entry of commercial goods.

Humanitarian partners have increased efforts to educate people about the dangers of unexploded ordnance. This includes training of trainers, holding in-person information sessions for displaced people in shelters, sharing posters and sending text messages. These actions have become more urgent with the ongoing pause because more people are now moving through areas that might be contaminated.
 

Ukraine

The first heavy snowfall is hampering the provision of vital support to front-line communities. Our partners on the ground are unable to reach affected communities, as the main roads connecting Odesa to other regions are blocked.

According to national authorities, as of 27 November, 10 people have reportedly died and dozens have been injured. More than 560 locations in 10 oblasts across the country were without power due to the severe snows and winds.

At the same time, local authorities report continued hostilities in the centre and south of Ukraine, which resulted in civilian casualties and have damaged school and apartment buildings.

Despite these challenges, humanitarian organizations continue to deliver assistance across the country, including to people close to the front line. Since January, they have reached 10 million people with vital aid.

Sudan

The first cross-border humanitarian shipment facilitated by OCHA from Chad to North Darfur’s capital Al Fasher arrived there over the weekend [on Sunday, 26 November].

The shipment carried medical and nutritional supplies from the NGO Relief International, and these supplies will support more than 185,000 people.

On 23 November, our partners also reached Central Darfur State in a convoy carrying medical supplies from the city of Kosti, in White Nile State, for the first time since fighting broke out in April. The convoy had set out on 18 October but had been blocked due to insecurity.