UN Daily Press Briefing: Venezuela, Sudan, Lebanon/Israel, Syria, Gaza & DRC

Humanitarian Situation in Venezuela

• 💡 The UN Humanitarian Country Team continues to support people in need in Venezuela, monitoring developments and providing psychosocial support.
• 🌍 The World Food Programme (WFP) is distributing general food aid, responding to flood impacts, and continuing its school meal program.

Escalating Violence in Sudan

• ⚠️ OCHA warns of escalating violence in the Kordofan region, putting civilians at extreme risk and causing new displacement.
• 🕊️ A drone attack in El Obeid allegedly killed 13 civilians, including children, while displacement has sharply increased in South Kordofan.
• 🆘 The UN reiterates its call for an immediate cessation of hostilities, protection of civilians, and sustained humanitarian access.

Tensions Along the Lebanon/Israel Border

• 💥 Israeli strikes targeting Hezbollah and Hamas were reported in areas north of the Latani River.
• peacekeeping forces reported air strikes and fighter aircraft activity in their areas of operations in southern Lebanon.
• 🤝 UNIFIL and the Office of the Special Coordinator for Lebanon are in close contact with parties to prevent escalation, recalling the importance of resolution 1701.

Humanitarian Crisis in Syria and Gaza

• 🥶 Thousands of displaced families in northern Syria are struggling with freezing conditions due to shrinking humanitarian funding, with two infants dying from extreme cold.
• ⛺ In Gaza, winter storms damaged tents and homes, flooding displacement sites; while aid has been provided, sustainable shelter solutions are urgently needed.
• 🚧 Access for humanitarian aid into Gaza remains challenging, with some critical equipment denied entry.

Surge in Violence in the Democratic Republic of the Congo

• 🚨 OCHA is sounding the alarm over a surge in violence in Ituri province, disrupting lifesaving operations and cutting off assistance to over 87,000 displaced people.
• ⚖️ All parties to the conflict are reminded of their obligations under international humanitarian law to protect civilians and ensure the safety of humanitarian workers.

Other Topics and UN Operations

• 🇺🇳 The UN's focus in Venezuela is the well-being of its people and democratization.
• 🌍 The UN supports efforts to resolve differences through dialogue, including for the southern cause in Yemen.
• 🌐 The UN reiterates its commitment to the territorial integrity and sovereignty of member states, including Somalia, Denmark (including Greenland), and Ukraine.
• 🧑‍⚖️ The UN's work in peace and security continues, alongside overwhelming humanitarian efforts, with active peacekeeping missions in CAR and DRC, and a political mission in Colombia.