Occupied Palestinian Territory
In a statement issued this morning, the Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs, Martin Griffiths, said the carnage in Gaza cannot be allowed to continue. The warring parties must respect international humanitarian law, agree to a humanitarian ceasefire and stop the fighting, he said.
Among other steps, he called on the parties and those with influence over them to facilitate aid agencies’ efforts to bring in a continuous flow of aid convoys and to do so safely; open additional crossing points for aid and commercial trucks to enter, including Kerem Shalom; allow the UN, other humanitarian organizations, and public and private sector entities access to fuel in sufficient quantities to deliver aid and provide basic services; and enable humanitarian organizations to deliver aid throughout Gaza without impediment or interference.
Mr. Griffiths provided more details on this 10-point plan during a press encounter in Geneva on Wednesday afternoon.
Philippe Lazzarini, the Commissioner-General for the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), said UNRWA today received just over 23,000 litres of fuel to the besieged Gaza Strip. The Israeli authorities have restricted the use of this fuel, he said, adding that this fuel cannot be used for the overall humanitarian response, including for medical and water facilities or UNRWA’s work.
The Israeli authorities have indicated that they would allow the entry of a limited amount of fuel into Gaza, to be used exclusively to run trucks for the distribution of incoming humanitarian aid. Much more fuel is needed, the Commissioner-General said, adding that UNRWA needs more than 160,000 litres of fuel every day for basic humanitarian operations. Mr. Lazzarini called on the Israeli authorities to immediately authorize the delivery of the needed amount of fuel, as is required under international humanitarian law.
OCHA reports that although 91 trucks carrying humanitarian aid entered from Egypt yesterday, the distribution of supplies to shelters, clinics and other beneficiaries has largely come to a halt due to lack of fuel.
OCHA cited reports from the Ministry of Health in Gaza that 40 patients died in Shifa hospital yesterday. The hospital reported preparations for a mass grave inside the compound to bury 180 bodies of patients, which cannot be evacuated due to the intense fighting.
Sudan
OCHA reports that the cholera situation in Sudan continues to worsen.
Nearly 3,000 suspected cases of cholera, including 89 deaths, have been reported from seven of the country’s states as of 12 November, according to the Federal Ministry of Health and the World Health Organization (WHO). This is double the number reported less than three weeks ago.
The UN and humanitarian partners are scaling up the response to the outbreak, including by supporting the detection and treatment of cases. Vaccination campaigns are expected to start in affected states by the end of November.
About two thirds of Sudan’s population lack access to health care, and more than 70 per cent of health facilities in conflict areas are out of service.
Since the war began in April, WHO has verified 60 attacks on health care in Sudan.
Myanmar
OCHA reports that intense fighting between ethnic armed organizations and the Myanmar Armed Forces has expanded to the country’s north-west, south-east and Rakhine State.
As of yesterday, more than 200,000 people across these areas and regions have been forcibly displaced due to the fighting and aerial bombardments. Many people have also moved towards the border with China in northern Shan.
Across Myanmar, more than 2 million people are now internally displaced and urgently need safe shelter, food and basic services.
The blockage of transport routes, disruption in telecommunication services, the closure of key airports, and the recent imposition of martial law on townships in multiple states are hindering humanitarian access.
Despite these challenges, humanitarian partners continue to provide life-saving assistance to civilians in northern Shan, including cash, food and other items. In the north-west, south-east and Rakhine, OCHA is assessing the growing needs and preparing to respond – but additional funding and unimpeded humanitarian access are required.
The humanitarian community in Myanmar urges all parties to the conflict to adhere to international humanitarian law, including by protecting civilians and the aid workers trying to assist them.
Nepal
UN agencies continue to provide life-saving assistance to meet the most pressing humanitarian needs of thousands of people affected by the earthquake that struck western Nepal earlier this month.
The UN and partners have reached some 21,000 people with water, sanitation and hygiene supplies, and about 20,000 children with education materials.
Since 3 November, more than 7,000 tarpaulins and 5,500 blankets have been delivered. Meanwhile, 8 metric tons of food were distributed to feed some 10,000 people for three days.
Health, protection and psychosocial services are also being provided to those impacted by the earthquake.