UN Noon Briefing: Sexual Violence Report, Ukraine, Gaza, Syria, Lebanon, Sudan, Myanmar & More

Conflict-Related Sexual Violence Report

• 💡 The UN Secretary-General's 16th annual report on Conflict-Related Sexual Violence reveals a staggering 25% increase in cases from the previous year.
• ⚠️ The highest numbers of cases were recorded in the Central African Republic, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Haiti, Somalia, and South Sudan.
• 📌 63 State and non-State parties are credibly suspected of committing or being responsible for patterns of rape or other forms of sexual violence in armed conflict.
• 📝 A new appendix puts parties on notice for potential listing in future reports, introduced due to consistent denial of access for UN monitors in Israel/Occupied Palestinian Territory and occupied Ukraine.

Ukraine Humanitarian Crisis

• ⚡ Intense hostilities continue to inflict a heavy toll on civilians, causing widespread destruction and forcing thousands to flee their homes.
• 🏘️ In Donetsk Region, mandatory evacuations of families with children from over a dozen towns and villages are underway, with over 6,000 people fleeing high-risk communities.
• 🆘 Humanitarian access is worsening in towns like Pokrovsk and Kostiantynivka, where residents urgently need support.
• 📈 The UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission reported a three-year high in civilian casualties in July 2025, with numbers 48% higher than the same period in 2024.

Gaza Humanitarian Situation

• 💥 Air strikes and shelling have intensified, hitting residential buildings and tents housing displaced people, resulting in a high number of casualties.
• ⚠️ An Israeli ground operation in Gaza City could push thousands of families already in appalling conditions over the edge.
• 🌡️ The Israeli ban on shelter material entry has left hundreds of thousands without protection from soaring temperatures.
• ✈️ The WHO supported the medical evacuation of 38 patients, mostly children, from Gaza.

Syria and Lebanon Updates

• 🆘 In Syria, vital assistance is being delivered to areas impacted by recent violence, supporting displaced people and host communities.
• 🚚 Four aid convoys delivered critical assistance, including food, hygiene kits, and medical supplies.
• ⚠️ Over 190,000 people were displaced by recent violence, disrupting basic services.
• 🚨 In southern Lebanon, peacekeepers continue to discover unauthorized weapons and infrastructure, including rocket launchers and tunnels.

Sudan and Myanmar Crises

• 📈 The UN is extremely alarmed by the rapid spread of cholera in Sudan, with over 2,300 patients treated and 40 cholera-related deaths recorded in the Darfur region in the past week.
• 🆘 Over 190,000 people were displaced by recent violence in Sudan, and humanitarian partners need $50 million to sustain cholera operations.
• 🌍 Myanmar continues to grapple with conflict, flooding, and disasters, leaving millions without homes, shelter, and safety.
• 📉 Underfunding hampers the humanitarian response in Myanmar, with only 12% of the $1.1 billion appeal received.

Mediterranean Shipwreck

• 💔 At least 35 people, including children, are feared dead or missing after a boat capsized off the coast of Lampedusa, Italy.
• 🚢 Approximately 95 people had departed from Zawya, Libya, on two boats; one began taking on water and passengers were transferred to another, which later capsized due to overcrowding.
• ⚠️ Over 700 refugees and migrants have died in the central Mediterranean to date.

Other Topics

• 🏘️ The UN reiterates its clear position that Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem, go against international law and entrench the occupation, further distancing the prospect of a two-state solution.
• 🇦🇫 The UN is aware of allegations of diversion of funds to the Taliban and is investigating, emphasizing robust safeguards and risk management processes in Afghanistan.
• 🚢 Regarding the Yemen tanker, the UN does not own the tanker or the oil; it was transferred to a local company, and UNDP has strongly objected to transfers.
• 🕊️ The UN welcomes dialogue at the highest level regarding Ukraine and reiterates its call for an immediate, full, and unconditional ceasefire as a step towards a just and sustainable peace.