A boy moves rubble from the ruins of his family’s home in Gaza.
This article is published in association with United Nations.
The escalating violence in the Middle East region is compounding an already dire humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
Speaking at the regular noon briefing in New York on Monday, UN Spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric said that Israeli authorities have closed all crossings and suspended humanitarian movements.
Planned rotations of humanitarian staff, medical evacuations and the return of people into Gaza have also been put on hold.
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‘Steady flow’ of aid essential
“People in Gaza…rely on a steady flow of humanitarian commercial goods from outside,” Mr. Dujarric said, warning that the UN and aid agencies had worked hard to maintain “a sustained and predictable flow of supplies despite the continuing restrictions, but that cannot continue under a full blockade.”
“It is imperative that all crossings be reopened as soon as possible,” he added.
Fuel shortages are forcing partners to ration supplies and prioritize lifesaving operations at reduced capacity. Bakeries, hospitals and desalination plants are affected, while solid waste collection has been suspended.
Many checkpoints in the West Bank have also been closed by Israeli forces, preventing travel between Palestinian cities and governorates – affecting Palestinians’ access to livelihoods, basic services and humanitarian operations.
Meanwhile, the head of the UN agency assisting Palestinian refugees (UNRWA) Philippe Lazzarini described the situation as “a new chokehold on Gaza.”
A surge in fighting in Sudan adds to ‘horrific’ humanitarian situation
Intensified fighting between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in the Kordofan and Blue Nile States continues to lead to civilian deaths and injuries.
According to local sources, drone attacks have intensified in El Obeid, the capital of North Kordofan, since last Friday, Mr. Dujarric told journalists.
“Yesterday a medical facility was impacted injuring 12 people, including five medical staff,” he added.
In Blue Nile State, there have been intensive drone attacks on the town of Kurmuk over the past two weeks. Reports suggest a school was destroyed, while an electricity station was damaged.
‘Conditions are dire’
‘Fighting along key supply routes continues to disrupt commercial traffic and humanitarian operations,” Mr Dujarric said.
The UN’s humanitarian coordination office (OCHA) warned that “conditions are dire and people urgently need aid”.
Hospitals, funding shortfalls, uncontrolled fire and measles outbreaks in refugee camps, are all adding pressure and “worsening” the humanitarian situation.
The Spokesperson emphasised the need to “ensure rapid and unhindered humanitarian access and uphold international humanitarian law”. He added that “sustained, flexible funding is urgently needed to maintain life-saving services and prevent further deterioration”.
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Afghanistan’s quake victims mustn’t be forgotten, says UN aid office
Survivors of a massive and deadly earthquake in Afghanistan last year are still in desperate need of help.
Amid tensions and deadly clashes between Kabul and Pakistan, the UN aid coordination office, OCHA, said that around nine in 10 families affected by the deadly quake in eastern Afghanistan still live in temporary and inadequate shelters.
Around 2,200 people were killed when a magnitude six earthquake struck eastern Afghanistan on 31 August 2025, devastating Kunar, Nangarhar and Laghman provinces.
Support still needed
The UN is providing relief to many, but sustained funding is essential to support recovery, said OCHA’s Said Alam Khan, from Mazar Dara emergency aid hub in Kunar province:
“Children still lack access to formal learning spaces; access to clean water, health care services, livelihood and sustainable solutions remain key challenges.”
OCHA’s Mr Khan said that as winter continues, continued international solidarity and financial support remain essential; this will help address people’s immediate needs, but also to enable early recovery and long-term resilience.
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