The latest strikes in Ukraine occurred on the eve of the solemn commemoration marking two years of war and one day after deadly attacks in the Donetsk region. Ukrainian authorities reported that grain stocks and civilian infrastructure, including a power plant, were hit during the strikes. Denise Brown, UN Humanitarian Coordinator in Ukraine, condemned the attacks, calling them another example of Russia’s disregard for international humanitarian law. Meanwhile, aid organizations continue to provide assistance to those affected by the ongoing attacks, distributing hot drinks, meals, and repair materials to residents whose homes were damaged in Odesa and Dnipro.
In Gaza, the UN agency that assists Palestine refugees, UNRWA, reported that only seven of its 23 health centers are operational, with just one still functioning in the north. Nearly 600 UNRWA staff are working in these facilities, providing medical consultations to those in need. In addition, more than 8,000 additional medical consultations have been carried out by staff at shelters and newly established medical points in the Mawasi area. The UN Population Fund (UNFPA) is supporting pregnant and breastfeeding women in Gaza, where access to medical support is limited. UNFPA has been distributing critical medicine and equipment to health facilities, including supplies for maternity, postpartum, and reproductive health, as well as dignity kits.
UN agencies are expressing concern over escalating violence and worsening humanitarian needs in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). Government troops have been battling M23 rebels, forcing 144,000 people to flee the outskirts of the provincial capital, Goma. Non-State armed groups have also launched targeted attacks against civilians in Beni and the Irumu territory in neighboring Ituri province. The UN refugee agency, UNHCR, has received reports of killings, kidnappings, and other atrocities in the region. The situation in the DRC remains dire, with ongoing violence displacing thousands of families and exacerbating humanitarian needs.
The UN continues to provide critical assistance to those affected by conflicts and humanitarian crises around the world. In Ukraine, aid organizations are mobilizing to provide first aid and essential supplies to people impacted by recent strikes. In Gaza, UNRWA is working to ensure medical care for refugees, while UNFPA is supporting pregnant and breastfeeding women with necessary supplies. In the DRC, UN agencies are monitoring the situation closely and providing assistance to those affected by the violence. Despite challenges and ongoing conflicts, the UN remains committed to helping those in need and addressing humanitarian crises globally.
The international community must continue to support the efforts of the UN and other aid organizations in providing assistance to those affected by conflicts and humanitarian crises. With ongoing violence and displacement in Ukraine, Gaza, and the DRC, it is crucial for humanitarian aid to reach those in need and for the international community to work towards peace and stability in these regions. The UN’s efforts to provide medical care, shelter, and other essential services to those affected by conflicts are essential in alleviating the suffering of families caught in the midst of violence and displacement.
