Distribution of food aid in Zamzam camp (archive). Top news of the day | Tuesday: Ukraine, Syria, refugees, Sudan UN
Top news of the day in the UN and in the world: consequences of military actions in the frontline areas of Ukraine, escalation in Syria, record level of funding for refugee support programs, shelling of a camp for displaced persons in Darfur.
Shelling of Ukraine
The UN press service, citing the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, reports ongoing hostilities in the frontline areas of Ukraine. In particular, in the Kherson, Dnipropetrovsk and Kharkiv regions, according to the authorities, over the past 24 hours more than ten civilians were killed or wounded, and residential buildings and civilian facilities, including a school, were damaged and destroyed. Ternopil was shelled for the second time in two days, as a result of which, according to reports, the city was partially left without electricity. Humanitarian organizations are distributing aid to the victims. Today, an interdepartmental convoy delivered 20 tons of essential supplies to the Zaporizhia region.
Violence in Syria
As a result of the escalation of violence in northwest Syria, civilians have been killed and injured, and medical facilities are increasingly suffering from attacks, the UN warns. Christina Bethke from the World Health Organization (WHO) office in Syria said that specialized hospitals where patients are evacuated from Aleppo are already overwhelmed due to numerous cases of injuries. Since November 27, WHO has received reports of at least six attacks on medical facilities in Syria. Bethke recalled that healthcare facilities are protected by international law. The situation in Syria will be discussed in the UN Security Council on Tuesday.
Humanitarian Financing
Donor governments have pledged a record $1.143 billion to fund the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) programmes in 2025. Together with $355 million pledged by private sector partners, the total will reach $1.5 billion, covering 15 percent of expected needs for the year. The announcement was made at a fundraising conference in Geneva. Overall, UNHCR has requested more than $10 billion for 2025 to support internally displaced and stateless people.
Zamzam camp shelled
The UN Resident Coordinator in Sudan, Clementine Nkweta-Salami, expressed grave concern over reports that Zamzam camp in North Darfur, which is home to more than half a million internally displaced people, was shelled on 1 and 2 December. She stressed that civilians and civilian infrastructure are protected under international law. According to humanitarian organizations, the shelling killed at least five people and injured 18. The camp’s residents have been under siege for months and are facing severe food shortages.