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

Sudan

As the fighting continues in Sudan, we are stepping up support for the growing number of people fleeing to neighbouring countries.

Yesterday, we released US$8 million from the South Sudan Humanitarian Fund to help refugees and returnees from Sudan who are seeking shelter in South Sudan. The funds will help organizations on the ground provide food, water, shelter and medical care to those affected by the ongoing violence. Some 150,000 people have been recorded arriving in South Sudan since the conflict in Sudan erupted on 15 April – and that number is expected to increase as the crisis continues.

This week, the Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs, Martin Griffiths, also allocated $5 million from the Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) to support new arrivals in Ethiopia. That money will help met the needs of about 100,000 people for six months. Humanitarian partners are providing water, health, protection assistance, and other essential services. More than 60,000 people have crossed into Ethiopia since the onset of the crisis in Sudan.

Overall, CERF has directed a combined $76 million toward the Sudan crisis – to support the response both inside the country as well as in Chad, the Central African Republic, Egypt, Ethiopia and South Sudan.

The Sudan Humanitarian Fund has also put $40 million towards relief efforts inside Sudan.

Occupied Palestinian Territory

 
Our colleagues are on the ground in Jenin today assessing and responding to urgent needs.

During the Israeli military operation there, we delivered medical supplies, advocated for those injured to be able to safely access health care, and attempted to reach people in the refugee camp who lack food and water. Due to significant infrastructure damage, the entire camp is without water, and some residents have been made homeless.

According to humanitarian partners’ assessments, more than 100 households have lost their connection to the sewer system.

In the coming days, repairs to the water and sewer network will be a priority – as will the provision of emergency food and cash assistance and psychosocial support, especially to children. Rehabilitating damage to homes, schools and health care clinics – as well as assessing and mitigating the risks of unexploded ordnance – will also be critical.

To support these efforts, we urge Member States to step up their funding for the humanitarian response. This year’s appeal to meet the needs of more than 2 million people in the Occupied Palestinian territory is just 20 per cent funded.
 

Ukraine

We are continuing to support survivors following yesterday’s deadly attack in the western city of Lviv.

The Humanitarian Coordinator, Denise Brown, strongly condemned the attack on an apartment building in a densely populated residential area. Ukrainian authorities said there were dozens of civilian casualties. At least 10 people are believed to have been killed, which would make it the deadliest attack on Lviv since the start of the full-scale war in Ukraine.

Humanitarian organizations on the ground provided food, first aid, hygiene supplies, power banks and emergency shelter materials for people in the affected neighbourhood, where a number of homes were destroyed or damaged. They also set up emergency psychological support and cash assistance services.

The city of Lviv has been a key transit point and host community for hundreds of thousands of Ukrainians fleeing the war from other parts of the country. It has also served as a major hub for humanitarian deliveries.