Today’s top news: Colombia, Occupied Palestinian Territory, Central African Republic
#Colombia
UN, partners seek US$148 million to support quake-hit communities
The United Nations – led by the Resident Coordinator in Colombia, Maria-Jose Torres Macho – and its partners have launched their response appeal following the deadly earthquake that struck the country earlier this month.
The authorities say 319 people have been killed, with more than 280,000 people affected overall. The earthquake destroyed over 31,000 homes and damaged thousands of educational facilities, community centres and health facilities.
The appeal – which complements the Government-led response and was coordinated by the Humanitarian Country Team in Colombia – seeks US$148 million to support 671,000 of the most vulnerable people with health, shelter, food, nutrition, education, protection, and water, sanitation and hygiene support.
Partners have already reached over 34,000 people with assistance in over 18 municipalities.
Even before the earthquake, hundreds of thousands of families were in need of humanitarian support due to the impact of armed conflict and limited access to basic services, livelihoods and infrastructure.
Today’s plan adds to the existing $472 million humanitarian appeal for Colombia in 2026, putting the total at nearly $620 million.
So far, donors have mobilized $35 million for the earthquake response, and Emergency Relief Coordinator Tom Fletcher allocated $5 million from the UN Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF).
However, additional support is urgently needed, as the combined appeal is less than half funded so far.*
*Donations made to UN Crisis Relief help UN agencies and humanitarian NGOs reach people in Colombia with urgent support.
#Occupied Palestinian Territory
Settler violence, operations by Israeli forces imperil Palestinians in West Bank
Humanitarian partners warn about continuing settler violence in the West Bank and the use of live ammunition by Israeli forces in a law-enforcement context.
Today, in an attack by Israeli settlers in a Palestinian community in Hebron governorate, a young Palestinian was shot and killed, another was critically injured, a home was set on fire, and other homes were damaged. The Israeli military, whose forces were reportedly present, said the shooting followed stone-throwing by Palestinians that injured Israelis. Palestinian Civil Defence personnel helped put out the fire.
Since the beginning of the year, 22 Palestinians have been killed in settler attacks: 12 by settlers, seven by Israeli forces, and three where it remains unclear whether by settlers or Israeli forces. These figures are as of this Monday, so they do not include the latest fatality.
Also today, Israeli forces shot and killed a Palestinian man in his home in Jenin, claiming he tried to stab them. They withheld his body.
Palestinians across the Occupied Palestinian Territory must be protected, as required by international law, and perpetrators of violations must be held accountable. The use of lethal force in law enforcement must be a last resort.
#Central African Republic
UN relief chief fast-tracks funds for Ebola readiness
Emergency Relief Coordinator Fletcher has allocated $3 million from CERF for Ebola readiness efforts in the Central African Republic.
The risk of the outbreak spreading has increased following the confirmation of Ebola cases in provinces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo that border the Central African Republic. Mr. Fletcher says the funds will strengthen surveillance, isolation capacity, community engagement, and access to water.
The Central African Republic already faces a humanitarian crisis driven by conflict, floods, disease outbreaks and regional instability, leaving an estimated 2.3 million people – over a third of the population – in need of vital assistance.
This year’s $264 million humanitarian appeal for the country is just over 42 per cent funded, with $112 million received to date.