HIGHLIGHTS OF THE U.N. SYSTEM,
TUESDAY, 31 DECEMBER 2024
Occupied Palestinian Territory/Humanitarian
The Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said that heavy rainfall yesterday worsened the situation of displaced families along Gaza's shoreline, particularly in Khan Younis. Dozens of tents were reportedly flooded or otherwise damaged. Water and sanitation partners highlight that in order to support the Coastal Municipalities Water Utilities, there is an urgent need for 27 desludging trucks. At present, only seven trucks are available across the Gaza Strip.
OCHA said that Kamal Adwan Hospital in North Gaza is non-functioning while Al Awda Hospital is partially functioning. Despite a limited provision of UN supplies on 29 December, the Indonesian Hospital also remains non-functional, lacking water, electricity, hygiene supplies, and adequate medical staff, with essential equipment destroyed.
The process to bring in critical items to Gaza remains challenging due to insecurity, active fighting and breakdown in public order and safety. Of particular concern is the insufficient amount of fuel that is needed for essential services. According to partners, there is a stock of fewer than 25,000 litres, which is less than one day of requirements in Gaza. OCHA is engaging with the Israeli authorities to prioritize entry of fuel through available routes and avoid losing it to organized looters.
Food Security partners report that the four bakeries in Gaza supported by the World Food Programme (WFP) continue to operate at full capacity. They received fuel earlier this week, which will allow them to continue operating for six days.
In the south, emergency flour distribution continues. As of last Friday, more than 6,000 metric tonnes of flour have been distributed, reaching around 1.2 million people, covering 70 per cent of the population in the south. Predictable distribution of basic commodities such as flour is essential for the survival of people and would push prices down.
In the West Bank, OCHA notes that 2024 has seen the highest number of settler-related incidents, including East Jerusalem, since the office began keeping records almost two decades ago.
OCHA said that about 1,400 such incidents – including physical assaults, arson attacks, raids on Palestinian communities and the destruction of fruit trees – have resulted in Palestinian casualties, damage to property, or both. This is nearly four incidents per day. Of the 4,700 people internally displaced across the West Bank this past year, about 560, or 12 per cent, have cited settler violence and access restrictions as the main reasons that forced them out of their homes or communities.
This year has also marked the second highest number of Palestinian fatalities in the West Bank since OCHA’s records began, following 2023, which was the highest. More than 480 Palestinians, including 91 children, have been killed across the West Bank, including East Jerusalem. OCHA notes that most of them were killed by Israeli forces.
Occupied Palestinian Territory/UN Human Rights Office
A report published today by the UN Human Rights Office found that Israel’s pattern of deadly attacks on and near hospitals in Gaza, and associated combat, pushed the healthcare system to the brink of total collapse, with catastrophic effect on Palestinians’ access to health and medical care. The attacks, documented between 12 October 2023 and 30 June 2024, raise serious concerns about Israel’s compliance with international law, the report states.
During the period covered by the report, there were at least 136 strikes on at least 27 hospitals and 12 other medical facilities, claiming significant casualties among doctors, nurses, medics and other civilians and causing significant damage, if not complete destruction of civilian infrastructure. The report points out that women, especially pregnant women, have suffered gravely and the increasingly limited healthcare system prevented many of those who had sustained trauma injuries from receiving timely and possibly life-saving treatment.
Syria
The UN and its partners continue to respond to the humanitarian situation in Syria as security and logistical conditions permit.
The cross-border operation from Türkiye is running without impediments. Today, 21 trucks carrying 500 metric tonnes of food – enough for 175,000 people – from the World Food Programme (WFP) crossed into Idlib through the Bab Al-Hawa border crossing.
In north-east Syria, cholera vaccination is ongoing in Al-Hol camp in Al-Hasakeh, with the support of the World Health Organization (WHO) and UNICEF. This is part of a 10-day campaign that began on 28 December 2024.
In the south of the country, the UN Refugee Agency – UNHCR - in collaboration with the Syrian Arab Red Crescent, is working to provide essential non-food items to displaced families in need.
In Aleppo, child protection services have resumed with 26 fixed centres and 12 mobile teams active in urban and rural areas. Over the past two weeks, WHO delivered 2.5 tonnes of emergency kits, IV fluids, and medical supplies to Aleppo University Hospital and Al Razi Hospital. The UN Development Programme delivered 6,000 liters of fuel to Zahi Azraq Hospital.
However, supply shortages, financial liquidity issues and insecurity across the country remain key constraints for the response.
Partners have warned that nutrition supplies for pregnant and lactating women are running out across the country and many referred cases were not treated. Seven primary health centres in Hama had their insulin supplies stolen, while 18 primary health centres in Homs were unable to provide vaccination services due to damage, looting and staff shortages.
Vendors and field partners reported limitations on the amount of cash that can be withdrawn, affecting their ability to operate. Some vendors are experiencing low stock levels due to curfews, incidents of violence, robbery and other security-related issues.
Afghanistan
In a statement issued today, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, said that he is deeply alarmed at the recent announcement by the de facto authorities in Afghanistan that non-governmental organizations’ licenses will be revoked if they continue to employ Afghan women. He emphasized that this is absolutely the wrong path being taken by the de facto authorities.
Mr. Türk noted that the humanitarian situation in Afghanistan remains dire, with more than half the population living in poverty. He said that NGOs play a vital role in providing critical assistance – to Afghan women, men, girls and boys - and this measure will directly impact the ability of the population to receive humanitarian aid.
The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights once again urged the de facto authorities in Afghanistan to revoke this deeply discriminatory decree, and all other measures which seek to eradicate women and girls’ access to education, work and public services, including healthcare, and that restrict their freedom of movement. He stressed that no country could progress - politically, economically or socially - while excluding half of its population from public life.
Mozambique
The UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) today said that the post-election unrest in Mozambique has forced thousands of people to flee their homes. In Malawi, UNHCR and the Government have identified around 2,000 individuals who crossed into the country in the past week. In neighbouring Eswatini, another 1,000 people have arrived.
UNHCR said that in Malawi, people who fled Mozambique said they escaped attacks and looting in their villages. Among them are pregnant women, the elderly and children who have had little food to eat. UNHCR has provided tents, blankets and hygiene kits to assist the most vulnerable, yet significant humanitarian assistance gaps remain.
The UN Refugee Agency notes that shelters are overcrowded, sanitation facilities are inadequate, and access to food and clean water is insufficient. Over 1,000 people are sharing a single latrine at some sites, significantly increasing the risk of disease.
In Eswatini, many of the new arrivals report losing their shops and businesses due to the violence. UNHCR is collaborating with local authorities and partners to provide assistance, but additional resources are urgently needed to sustain the response and prepare for more arrivals.
New Year’s Day
The United Nations headquarters building will be closed on Wednesday, 1 January 2025, for New Year’s Day.
On Thursday, 2 January 2025, in addition to the Noon Briefing, there will be a press briefing at 1:00 p.m. by Ambassador Amar Bendjama, Algeria's Permanent Representative to the UN and Security Council President for the month of January.
He will brief on the Security Council Programme of Work for January. This briefing will be in hybrid format.
