Children in Khan Yunis in southern Gaza. Top stories of the day | Monday: Ukraine, Lebanon, Gaza, Yemen UN
Top stories of the day in the UN and around the world: attacks across Ukraine continue to worsen the humanitarian situation, more than a million people in Lebanon have fled their homes, preparations for the rainy season in Gaza, escalation between Israel and the Houthis in Yemen.
Humanitarian situation in Ukraine
The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said attacks across Ukraine continue to worsen the humanitarian situation. According to local authorities and humanitarian agencies, more than 100 people have died in the fighting over the past three days. Civilian infrastructure and homes have been damaged. The UN and partners are providing medical, psychological and legal assistance, as well as repair materials, complementing the efforts of government services. Meanwhile, ahead of winter, the Ukrainian Humanitarian Fund has allocated $67 million to support 150,000 displaced people. In total, $492 million is needed to implement the Winter Response Plan to provide assistance to 1.8 million people in need.
Lebanon Crisis
More than a million people in Lebanon have been forced to flee their homes by Israeli airstrikes, which hit a residential area in central Beirut early Monday. The country’s Health Ministry says the attacks have killed 105 people since Sunday. The World Health Organization (WHO) said 11 health workers were killed and 10 wounded between September 17 and 28. Some 37 health centers have been forced to close because of the fighting. Meanwhile, the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) says about 100,000 displaced people have crossed into neighboring Syria. The agency’s teams are providing support to those arriving.
Rainy season in Gaza
OCHA warns that unimpeded humanitarian access is needed across Gaza to prepare for the rainy season. OCHA stressed that rains and floods will worsen already dire conditions, increasing health risks and could trigger further displacement. The UN and partners have developed a winterization plan to support more than 850,000 people in nearly 50 flood-prone areas. $242 million will be needed to, among other things, improve living conditions for the population, provide people with warm clothes and blankets, and protect important infrastructure.
Shooting Israel and Yemen
The UN is concerned about the Houthi statement that they have been shelling Tel Aviv and Ashkelon in recent days, as well as about Israeli strikes the day before on and near the port of Hodeida in Yemen in retaliation for previous Houthi attacks on Israel. OCHA notes that disruptions to supplies passing through Hodeidah and the surrounding area could have a severe impact on the Yemeni population, as most essential imports, including fuel and food, arrive in Yemen through ports in the area.