A woman at a displaced persons centre in El Fasher, Darfur. Top stories of the day | Friday: Syria, Ukraine, Sudan, Gaza UN
Top stories of the day in the UN and around the world: Human Rights Office staff heading to Syria, shelling across Ukraine has damaged civilians and infrastructure, at least 782 civilians have died in El Fasher since the siege began, famine and heavy rains in Gaza.
Transition in Syria
A team from the UN Human Rights Office (OHCHR) will travel to Syria next week to support an inclusive transition. UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk has stressed that human rights, transitional justice and trust-building must be at the heart of Syria’s future. Meanwhile, independent UN human rights experts today called for full respect for Syria’s territorial integrity and sovereignty, stressing the need to end lawlessness, violence and persistent violations of international law.
Shelling on Ukraine
The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reported that civilians were killed and injured across Ukraine on Friday. Shelling, including in the Donetsk and Kharkiv regions, as well as in Kherson, Kryvyi Rih and Kyiv, damaged homes, schools and hospitals. Vital services were disrupted. OCHA reiterated that civilians and civilian infrastructure must be protected.
Darfur Casualties
The United Nations Human Rights Office (OHCHR) has issued a report on the ongoing siege and fighting in El Fasher, the capital of Sudan’s North Darfur state. At least 782 civilians have been killed and 1,143 injured since the siege began seven months ago, the report said. The report also noted that both sides used explosive weapons in populated areas, raising serious concerns about the precautionary principle and the prohibition on indiscriminate attacks.
The situation in Gaza
Hunger and dire living conditions, exacerbated by heavy rains and ongoing fighting, continue to threaten the lives of people in Gaza. Louise Wateridge of the UN Refugee Agency (UNRWA) stressed the need to deliver aid to the Strip to support Gazans forced to flee their homes due to the bombing and without protection from the elements. Due to difficulties in accessing those in need, humanitarian organizations are primarily engaged in food supplies and are unable to provide people with housing.