In North Darfur, drone strikes on 3 January reportedly resulted in civilian casualties in Al-Zurq and Ghurair villages, hitting a market and a medical clinic, according to UN Spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric on Monday.
In West Darfur state on Saturday, one civilian was reportedly killed after two drone attacks near Kulbus, displacing over 600 people, as per UN humanitarian partners.
Deaths and injuries
In South Kordofan state, multiple drone attacks between 1 and 3 January in Dilling reportedly led to civilian deaths and injuries.
The situation in Dilling remains critical, with civilians trapped and humanitarian conditions worsening, while access to essential supplies is increasingly limited.
“We reiterate our call for the protection of civilians and for the unhindered humanitarian access to all affected areas,” Mr. Dujarric emphasized.
“Continued and predictable humanitarian access to deliver life-saving assistance and to prevent further deterioration of the humanitarian situation is essential.”
Ukraine: UN and partners continue to support victims of latest Russian attacks
In Ukraine, the UN and aid partners continue to support the people of Kharkiv amid ongoing Russian attacks on Monday.
Last Friday, a strike on a high-rise in the eastern city killed six residents, including a mother and child, according to reports.
Additionally, dozens were injured in the attack, and many were left homeless in freezing conditions, as reported by the UN aid coordination office, OCHA.
Parts of the city near the Russian frontier were also left without electricity, water, and gas.
Civilians face growing danger
“Further attacks are being reported in the city, risking additional harm to civilians and further destruction of homes as temperatures remain well below zero,” said Maka Khazalia, OCHA Head of Office in Kharkiv.
“Humanitarian teams continue to support those affected by the attack and will continue to provide assistance to those affected in future.”
UN humanitarians work with partners and city staff to provide essential services to those in need.
This includes delivering hot meals, non-food items, and mental health support.
Reported attacks in Chernihiv, Donetsk, Kherson, and Mykolaiv regions also caused civilian casualties and damage to critical infrastructure, resulting in power outages.
Humanitarian colleagues note that on 2 January, authorities announced mandatory evacuations of over 3,000 children and their families from frontline areas in Dnipropetrovsk and Zaporizhzhia Regions.
Refugee response now at breaking point in Ethiopia, warns WFP
In Ethiopia, the global funding crisis for humanitarian work is severely impacting aid efforts, with warnings that the refugee response is at breaking point.
The UN World Food Programme (WFP) warned that over 1.1 million people risk losing “food, water, and healthcare within weeks” due to funding shortfalls.
Ethiopia, Africa’s second-largest refugee-hosting country, has seen a surge in arrivals amid ongoing conflicts in Sudan and South Sudan, as well as drought in Somalia.
Over a million refugees have faced prolonged ration cuts since May 2023, and WFP has now reduced food assistance again, from 60 percent to 40 percent.
WFP calls for urgent funding
“Beyond humanitarian assistance, sustained funding is urgently needed to support solutions that help refugees rebuild their lives,” said Claire Nevill, WFP Head of Communications in Ethiopia.
“Without immediate support, more services will be cut, and more lives will be at risk.”
She noted that the Government of Ethiopia, WFP, and the UN refugee agency (UNHCR) aim to provide vulnerable people fleeing conflict and hunger with long-term livelihood opportunities, including jobs.
However, additional support is needed for sustainable projects so refugees can rebuild their lives, she stated.
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