UN Daily Press Briefing: Gaza Humanitarian Aid, Ukraine Conflict, Lebanon, and Global Funding

Gaza Humanitarian Response and Challenges

• 💡 The UN and partners are scaling up humanitarian efforts in Gaza following a ceasefire, with improved access allowing for the deployment of medical teams and delivery of essential supplies like insulin and incubators.
• 🏥 Efforts include installing solar panels for desalination, improving telecommunications, and clearing debris to facilitate access to affected areas.
• ⚠️ Significant challenges remain, including the need for more open crossings, sustained entry of fuel and cooking gas, security guarantees for convoys, and rapid injection of funding.
• 💥 UNMAS is addressing the severe threat of unexploded ordnance, identifying over 550 items since October 2023 and providing risk education to communities and workers.

Global Humanitarian Funding Shortfall

• 📉 The UN's appeal to meet global humanitarian needs in 2025 is critically underfunded, with less than a quarter of the required $45.3 billion received by the end of September.
• ⚠️ This funding gap has devastating consequences, leading to the closure of health facilities in Afghanistan, reduced food aid in Somalia, and loss of educational access for Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh.
• 🎯 A hyper-prioritized global appeal aims to meet the urgent needs of 114 million people, with a call for increased donor investment.

Conflict and Humanitarian Aid in Ukraine

• 🇺🇦 A UN humanitarian convoy delivering medicine and shelter materials to Biluska in the Keron region came under drone attack, with two WFP trucks set on fire, though no humanitarian workers were injured.
• ⚠️ The UN condemns such attacks as violations of international humanitarian law, with civilian casualties rising significantly in 2025 due to hostilities.
• 📈 Attacks on energy infrastructure have increased, impacting regions like Keron.

Southern Lebanon and UNIFIL Operations

• 🕊️ UNIFIL continues to monitor violations of resolution 1701, recently discovering an unauthorized weapons cache including a rocket launcher in sector east.
• ⚠️ Peacekeepers observed Israeli military activities, including heavy machine gun fire across the Blue Line.
• 🤝 UNIFIL's maritime task force is conducting joint training exercises with the Lebanese Navy to enhance operational skills.

Deputy Secretary-General's Engagements and Libya

• 🌍 Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed attended a preparatory meeting for COP 30 in Brazil, emphasizing the need for climate adaptation and increased public finance for vulnerable nations.
• 🇱🇾 In Libya, the UN-facilitated political roadmap aims to unify state institutions and hold elections, with a call for constructive engagement from Libyan leaders to avoid delays.

Developments in Eastern DRC and Madagascar

• 🇨🇩 The signing of a joint verification mechanism between the DRC government and the M23 movement marks a significant step towards de-escalating tensions and advancing the peace process in eastern DRC.
• 🇲🇬 The UN expressed concern over any unconstitutional change of power in Madagascar, urging stakeholders to work towards a peaceful settlement.