Today's top news: Ukraine, Ethiopia

Ukraine

We, along with our humanitarian partners, are mobilizing more assistance to people in the Kharkiv region in the east, where fighting has recently intensified.

This week, two inter-agency convoys delivered 75 tons of food, materials for emergency home repairs, hygiene kits and other essential household items to communities close to the front line.

One of the convoys reached Kupiansk city with supplies to the surrounding areas. Civilians in this area have endured weeks of hostilities, with damage to houses and other civilian infrastructure, and disruption of critical services.

Humanitarians are also supporting people being evacuated by the authorities from frontline areas to Kharkiv city and other safer locations.

Around 500 people have arrived in Kharkiv over the past few days, and most are taking shelter in displacement centres established by the authorities. Aid organizations – national and international – are providing food, hygiene and other essential items, in addition to legal and psychological support.

Ethiopia

On the health front, humanitarians are providing medical supplies, logistics support and risk communications in response to the cholera outbreak in Oromia, Sidama, SNNP (Southern Nations Nationalities and People) and Somali regions. According to national authorities, over 16,800 cases of cholera have been reported, including 212 related deaths, as of 2 August.  

We are also providing medical supplies for the response to malaria which, as of 30 July, has affected over 1.7 million people and claimed 200 lives.

On nutrition, more than 30 UN agencies and international and national NGOs are supporting the response to malnutrition which remains a concern in several regions including Afar, Amhara, Oromia, Sidama, South West and Tigray.

In June and July over 26,000 mothers and children received nutrition support in Amhara and Southern Oromia.

We are also supporting the food response through the provision of cash to cover basic needs including food. Over 310,000 people received cash transfers in Somali region, as have more than 850,000 people in drought-affected regions of Amhara, Oromia and SNNP and Southwest regions.

Timely food assistance, pre-positioning of emergency drugs, and medical supplies for affected people are necessary. More than 1.2 million children suffer from severe acute malnutrition across the country.

As a reminder, the US $4 billion humanitarian appeal for 2023 is currently 27 per cent funded. The food sector has received less than 25 per cent of the 2.2 billion required.