Today’s top news: Lebanon, Occupied Palestinian Territory, Sudan, Democratic Republic of the Congo

#Lebanon

Relief operations ongoing but needs rise as conflict strains services

OCHA reports that the UN and its humanitarian partners continue to support the response in Lebanon, where access allows.

Cash assistance remains a critical lifeline. More than 435,000 Lebanese people affected by the conflict have been supported through the Government-led social safety net, implemented by the Government, the World Food Programme (WFP), and humanitarian partners. Over 100,000 Syrian refugees have been reached through an expansion of cash assistance programmes.

The UN and its partners are also addressing essential water and nutrition needs. To date, food security partners have distributed more than 7.8 million hot and cold meals and over 105,000 meal boxes. Over 3.8 million litres of bottled water, 64,000 cubic metres of water delivered by truck, and nearly 740,000 litres of fuel have been delivered to sustain critical water services for more than 628,000 people.

Meanwhile, the humanitarian situation continues to deteriorate, with nearly a quarter of the population now facing acute food insecurity, with repeated displacements, loss of livelihoods and damage to infrastructure making the situation even more difficult.

Despite the announced extension of the ceasefire, the humanitarian situation remains volatile. As of today, the Ministry of Public Health reports 2,696 people killed and more than 8,200 injured since the escalation on 2 March, bringing the number of conflict-related casualties to nearly 11,000.

#Occupied Palestinian Territory

Scale of unmet healthcare needs staggering

OCHA warns that civilians in the Occupied Palestinian Territory continue to come under fire, as strikes and exchanges of gunfire hit residential areas.

Partners leading on safety report that last week saw one of the highest numbers of security incidents since the ceasefire was declared in October last year. Humanitarian facilities came under fire in two separate incidents. An airstrike also struck near a UN warehouse, and relief vehicles were damaged by stone throwing.

In line with international humanitarian law, all parties must fulfil their obligation to facilitate – not obstruct – humanitarian operations. Civilians and civilian infrastructure must always be protected.

OCHA reports that restrictions on the entry of engine oil, spare parts, rubble‑removal machinery and other essential items into Gaza are severely impacting the delivery of critical services.

Vehicles and generators are breaking down beyond repair, disrupting food distribution, water trucking, ambulance services and the delivery of educational supplies and medical items. Generator failures are also affecting hospitals, including intensive care units.

As armoured vehicles become increasingly worn out, aid workers are facing growing risks as they work to reach people in need.

Partners leading on health say the scale of unmet need in Gaza remains staggering as thousands of patients depend on life-sustaining services beyond what the system can supply.

Humanitarian partners are deploying emergency medical workers to strengthen the health system. As of last month, three dozen emergency medical teams comprising over 380 health professionals – national and international – supported the emergency response in Gaza. But that’s far from enough.

Health partners call for the sustained entry of medical supplies, particularly diagnostics and specialised equipment. They stress that a top priority remains supporting the restoration of capacity and services so that the local health system can recover.

*Donations made to UN Crisis Relief help UN agencies and humanitarian NGOs reach people in Gaza and the West Bank with urgent support.

#Sudan 

Flights suspended as widespread use of drones put civilians at risk

OCHA is alarmed by the impact of continued drone attacks on civilians in Sudan.

In White Nile State, drones reportedly struck several places in Kosti city today, including two fuel stations in a busy commercial area. There were reports of casualties, and access to basic services was disrupted.

Flights to and from the capital Khartoum are still suspended today after drones targeted the airport yesterday and other parts of the city in recent days.

As fighting continues in Darfur, more details are emerging about the impact of the siege of El Fasher in North Darfur State. New data from the International Organization for Migration shows that more than 138,000 people were displaced from El Fasher and nearby villages between October of last year and March of this year.

OCHA calls for an immediate stop to the fighting; for civilians and civilian infrastructure to be protected; and for aid to be allowed to reach people quickly and safely, without obstruction, wherever it is needed.

#Democratic Republic of the Congo

Humanitarians resume life-saving food delivery in Ituri 

OCHA reports that weeks of humanitarian negotiations led by its teams in the Democratic Republic of the Congo have helped secure improved access to the Plaine Savo displacement site in Ituri Province.

This has enabled the WFP and humanitarian partners to resume food distributions today for more than 71,000 displaced people at the site. This is the first such delivery since December, when a surge in violence in the area sharply constrained humanitarian access.

Earlier this week, the Humanitarian Coordinator, Bruno Lemarquis, and the head of the OCHA office, Carla Martinez, visited Plaine Savo to assess conditions and meet with local authorities, humanitarian partners and displaced families.

Lemarquis reiterated the need to protect civilians and called on all parties, including the military, to ensure safe, secure access for aid organizations. He also stressed that people must have unhindered access to essential services.

Humanitarian needs remain severe. As clashes continue in surrounding areas, displaced families are facing acute food shortages and grave safety concerns, while humanitarian access remains difficult.

Since December 2025, at least 21 displaced people have been killed while working in nearby fields as they search for food, according to civil society reports.

*Donations made to UN Crisis Relief help UN agencies and humanitarian NGOs reach people in the Democratic Republic of the Congo with urgent support.