Today's top news: Ukraine, Syria, Türkiye, Tropical Cyclone Freddy

Displaced families at a transportation hub run by Adra, an NGO supported by the Ukraine Humanitarian Fund in Zaporizhzhia, southeastern Ukraine. OCHA/Matteo Minasi

Ukraine

Exactly one year since Russia’s full-scale invasion, nearly half of the people in the country – that’s nearly 18 million people – need humanitarian aid and protection. That’s a six-fold increase from just one year ago.

Since the start of the full-scale war, we and our humanitarian partners in Ukraine have made every effort to ramp up operations to provide life-saving support to those who need it most.

In 2022, thousands of humanitarian convoys delivered vital supplies to people in all regions across Ukraine, including more than 50 inter-agency convoys reaching over half a million people in areas close to the front line.

Over the past year, the humanitarian community reached nearly 16 million people with aid and protection services. That includes water, food, medicines, heating appliances, and other supplies – as well as support for home repairs.

The response also included the largest humanitarian cash assistance programme in history. Some 6 million people received cash assistance totaling $1.2 billion.

Last year, our humanitarian flash appeal was nearly 80 per cent funded. But as the war enters a second year, we are calling for $3.9 billion to provide aid to more than 11 million people. So far, this year’s appeal is just over 14 per cent funded.

Syria

As of today, 368 UN trucks have crossed into northwest Syria from Türkiye through the three crossing points since 9 February – today’s total was 33 trucks.

We and our partners are carrying out assessments in parts of northern Syria [both Government-controlled and non-Government controlled] affected by the earthquakes. Priorities include scaling up the shelter response, winterization and cash support.

We need more funding for humanitarian assistance. The three-month flash appeal for Syria is now 38 per cent funded. We’ve received US$151 million of the nearly $400 million required.

Türkiye

Our flash appeal for Türkiye, which, as you will recall, is for $1 billion, is currently just over 7 per cent funded. So far, we have received no money to fund key sectors, including temporary settlement support, multi-purpose cash and early recovery, and debris removal.

Meanwhile, the UN continues to coordinate rapid assessments in parts of the country most affected by the earthquakes to determine the specific requirements of people in need of humanitarian aid.

Tropical Cyclone Freddy

Turning to Madagascar, where Tropical Cyclone Freddy has left at least 7 people dead after making landfall on Tuesday. That’s according to preliminary information from Government authorities. At least 79,000 people have been affected. Some 22,500 are displaced, and about 14,000 homes have been destroyed, damaged or flooded. These numbers could rise as assessments are completed in the coming days.

The UN and our partners are supporting the Government in getting aid to those affected, including food, water, education and medical supplies. The World Food Programme has provided more than 25,000 hot meals to displaced people. And before the cyclone made landfall, the UN Children's Fund, UNICEF had pre-positioned school kits for 30,000 children.