UN Daily Press Briefing: Gaza Humanitarian Crisis, Haiti Violence, and Global Issues

Gaza Humanitarian Situation

• humanitarian aid access to Gaza remains severely restricted, with critical items like hygiene products and fuel being denied entry by Israeli authorities.
• 🚚 Limited supplies are allowed into the Kerem Shalom loading area, but congestion and security concerns have prevented distribution, with ongoing discussions to find safe routes.
• ⚠️ Bombardment and shelling continue, resulting in dozens of reported deaths in the last 24 hours, and 80% of Gaza is under displacement orders or in militarized zones.
• 🏠 Extreme overcrowding is reported in Gaza City, with people seeking shelter in damaged structures or sleeping outdoors, highlighting the urgent need for civilian protection.
• 🏥 Healthcare facilities are under continued attack, with Al Awda Hospital being hit and Kamal Adwan Hospital ceasing operations.
• 💧 The water situation is worsening, disrupting access to drinking water for approximately 150,000 people due to displacement orders affecting desalination plants.

Crisis in Haiti

• ⚠️ Armed violence and insecurity in Haiti are exposing children to severe protection risks, including sexual violence, exploitation, abuse, and potential recruitment into armed gangs.
• 📈 UNICEF documented a 1,000% rise in sexual violence against children between 2023 and 2024, with a recent tragic case of a six-year-old girl's death after rape.
• 💰 Severe underfunding hampers response efforts, with less than 5% of the required funds received to support survivors of gender-based violence.
• 🤝 The UN is working to expand access to protection and psychosocial support, increase safety in displacement sites, and enhance prevention mechanisms for gender-based violence.

Global Development and Conflict

• 📉 The Secretary-General warned of a "development emergency" as the Sustainable Development Goals are alarmingly off track, with a significant drop in funding for the UN development system.
• 🇸🇾 In Syria, 16.5 million people need humanitarian assistance, but only 10% of the required funding has been met for the first half of the year.
• 🇸🇩 The UN hopes the appointment of a new Prime Minister in Sudan will be a step towards an inclusive government and peace.
• 🇲🇲 Myanmar faces a deteriorating humanitarian situation following an earthquake and continued insecurity, with aid efforts hampered by limited funding.
• 🏛️ The UN is coordinating with Libyan authorities to investigate the discovery of 58 bodies at a hospital under militia control.

International Days and Conferences

• ☕ Today is World Tea Day, celebrating the world's second most consumed beverage.
• 🌍 It is also the World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development, emphasizing intercultural dialogue for peace and sustainable development.
• 🗓️ The 4th International Conference on Financing for Development will take place in Seville, Spain, from June 30th to July 3rd, with media accreditation deadlines approaching.