Today's top news: Ukraine, Cameroon

Oleksandr, 84, receives food support through humanitarian organizations on the ground in Kramatorsk, Donetsk region. July 2022 OCHA/ Oleksandr Ratushniak

Ukraine

Intense fighting continues in the eastern Donetsk region, with multiple civilian casualties reported in recent days on both sides of the front line.

In the cities of Bakhmut and Soledar, which both experienced shelling, some 7,500 residents remain, according to the local authorities. With houses and infrastructure having been destroyed or heavily damaged, people are taking cover in shelters and basements. Due to continuing fierce fighting, the possibility of delivering assistance or evacuating the remaining residents is very limited.

In the areas of the Donetsk region currently under the military control of the Russian Federation, the premises of two critical energy facilities were reportedly damaged. We have also received reports about education facilities coming under fire on both sides of the front line.

Also in Ukraine, the Humanitarian Coordinator, Denise Brown, is currently visiting the most affected communities in the eastern Kharkiv region.

Even though humanitarian access to the areas has improved after the Government of Ukraine regained control, the situation there remains dire. Ms. Brown is meeting local communities, local responders and authorities to plan the delivery of essential winter supplies to support people as the temperatures drop below minus 15 degrees Celsius.

Cameroon

The Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs, Martin Griffiths, has allocated $6 million from the Central Emergency Response Fund to help people in the Far North, North-West, and South-West regions.

In 2022, hundreds of thousands of people were forced to flee their homes and abandon their property because of violence or floods. These forced displacements increased protection risks, loss of livelihoods and food insecurity in the affected areas.

The new funds will help to provide protection and shelter services as well as food and nutrition assistance.

Despite the challenges faced by humanitarian organizations to access remote areas due to violence, movements impediments and poor condition of roads, we and our partners remain mobilized to provide aid to the most vulnerable people.

In 2023, humanitarians will need more than $413 million to help 2.4 million people.