Today’s top news: Lebanon, Occupied Palestinian Territory, Sudan, Rwanda, Central African Republic, Myanmar

#Lebanon

Hostilities take toll on communities in south

The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) warns that hostilities continue to affect communities in southern Lebanon.

In Mansouri, a coastal village in South Governorate partially in the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF)-declared military area, a series of demolitions and bombardments has continued since this morning. Local authorities described today as the most intense day of bombardment in the village since the escalation began on 2 March. The continued destruction of homes and public infrastructure risks further disrupting people’s returns to their communities and setting back early recovery in areas already devastated by displacement and widespread damage.

OCHA remains concerned about humanitarian access, particularly south of the Litani River. Access to front-line locations remains highly restricted, often requiring passage through physical barriers controlled by the IDF. Nevertheless, partners have continued to reach people in need, with 663 humanitarian movements facilitated through the Humanitarian Notification System since the start of the escalation on 2 March to the end of August.

OCHA reiterates the need for the protection of civilians and civilian infrastructure, and for safe, timely and unimpeded humanitarian access to all communities in need.

#Occupied Palestinian Territory

Attacks striking populated areas imperil civilians in Gaza

Humanitarian partners report that Israeli air strikes and other attacks continue to hit populated areas in the Gaza Strip, putting civilians at risk and causing damage to property.

Yesterday, an air strike hit a building in Al Bureij area in Deir al Balah, near two UN schools serving as shelters for displaced people, as well as a bakery supported by the UN.

While no injuries have been reported, people in the area have alerted the UN about roughly 100 households who have lost their shelters or belongings.                      

The UN and its humanitarian partners are assessing these households’ needs and mobilizing rapid assistance.* However, teams warn that stocks of critical supplies are insufficient – both because of funding shortfalls and heavy restrictions on partners’ ability to replenish.

Civilians and civilian objects, including shelters and humanitarian facilities, must always be protected.

Yesterday, UN Women published a report showing how hostilities have fundamentally reshaped family dynamics and the ways households are navigating daily survival.

According to the agency’s survey, women-headed households have doubled since October 2023, reaching 86,000 households – almost every fourth family. This includes widows and women whose husbands are missing, detained, severely injured, forcibly disappeared or whose fate remains unknown.

Households headed by women face greater hardship than male-headed households, including higher rates of inadequate shelter, housing damage and displacement. For instance, 68 per cent of women-headed households lack adequate shelter, compared with 55 per cent of male-headed households.

UN Women warns that restrictions on humanitarian access, continued bombardment, and severe shortages of basic necessities and services are deepening the hardship.

*Donations made to UN Crisis Relief help UN agencies and humanitarian NGOs reach people in the Occupied Palestinian Territory with urgent support.

#Sudan

UN supports cholera vaccination in North Darfur despite ongoing insecurity

OCHA says that despite ongoing insecurity, the UN and its humanitarian partners continue to provide critical assistance to people in need in Sudan, including in the effort to contain cholera in the Darfur region and other affected areas.

Yesterday – with support from the World Health Organization (WHO) – health authorities launched a 10-day cholera vaccination campaign in Tawila locality, North Darfur State, aiming to protect 95,000 displaced people. According to WHO, the current cholera outbreak – declared in June – has resulted in nearly 2,900 reported cases and 247 associated deaths in six states.

Meanwhile, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and its partners recently provided emergency shelter and essential household items to 12,000 people across Tawila, Al Lait and Um Hajaleej localities.

Elsewhere in North Darfur State, IOM reports that last week, about 1,300 people fled increased insecurity in villages in Um Baru locality, close to the Sudan-Chad border. They reportedly sought safety elsewhere in North Darfur and across the border in Chad.

In South Darfur State, up to three drone strikes reportedly hit locations in Nyala city yesterday. Local sources report that a civilian residence was struck, resulting in casualties.

In Blue Nile State, IOM reports that on Monday, increased insecurity displaced more than 3,300 people from several villages in Geisan locality, next to the Sudan-Ethiopia border. They reportedly sought safety in Wad Al Mahi locality.

Meanwhile, intercommunal tensions are rising in parts of South and Central Darfur states, where several deadly incidents have been reported in recent days.

Once again, OCHA calls on all parties to protect civilians and civilian infrastructure, and to facilitate rapid, safe, unhindered and sustained humanitarian access.

#Rwanda

UN trains community health officers to help Ebola preparedness effort

OCHA says that the UN and its humanitarian partners continue to support Government-led efforts in Rwanda to prepare to respond to Ebola.

On 3 September, the UN trained nearly 200 community health officers on infection prevention and control, early detection, reporting and referral, risk communication and managing rumours.

The UN and its partners also conducted an assessment last week at border crossing points and health facilities to evaluate screening procedures, detection mechanisms, isolation and referral capacity, staff preparedness and risk communication systems.

The UN is also supporting efforts around infection prevention and hygiene at the Rugerero Ebola Treatment Centre in Western Province – training Red Cross volunteers and ambulance personnel this week on the use of protective equipment, as well as safe case management, referrals and transport.

Rwanda has reported no confirmed Ebola cases, but the country remains at higher risk given its proximity to affected areas in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the movement of people across borders.

#Central African Republic

Sexual violence, constrained access to maternal healthcare put women, girls at risk

Humanitarian partners are sounding the alarm over troubling child protection and maternal health trends in the south-east of the Central African Republic.

Between February and September this year, partners report that girls under the age of 18 accounted for nearly 60 per cent of deliveries of babies at health facilities in Zemio, the largest city in Haut-Mbomou prefecture.

Humanitarians warn that the true figure is likely higher, as many births are happening at home. This is particularly the case along routes into the city of Zemio, where civilians have taken refuge in the bush and are cut off from basic services. Most health facilities in the area have reportedly been looted or vandalized by armed groups.

Women and girls in these areas also face heightened risks of sexual violence and exploitation. Nation-wide, one woman dies from pregnancy-related causes for every 120 live births.

More than 40 per cent of health facilities across the country remain only partially accessible due to insecurity and physical and financial barriers, with Mbomou and Haut-Mbomou prefectures among the worst affected.

OCHA and several partners temporarily suspended operations in Zemio in late June, following serious security incidents attributed to armed groups. An upcoming OCHA-led mission will seek to restore full humanitarian access to the area.

#Myanmar

Deadly hostilities displace hundreds in Rakhine

Intensified hostilities in Myanmar’s Rakhine State over the past week marked by air strikes and artillery shelling have forced people to flee their homes and caused civilian casualties.

Since 3 September, hostilities have displaced more than 1,000 people across the townships of Gwa, Ponnagyun, Rathedaung and Thandwe, with many people taking shelter in temporary locations.

On 7 September, air strikes in Thandwe township reportedly killed one civilian and injured three others, according to local sources. The strikes also damaged homes and shops. Late last month, air strikes in Gwa and Thandwe townships had already injured several people, including people who had been displaced.

Yesterday, local sources reported that artillery shells landed in residential areas of downtown Sittwe, including on a school compound some 250 metres from a UN office and in a residential area near a displacement camp. The incidents prompted the temporary suspension of classes and the closure of businesses in the city. 

Despite severe access challenges, the UN and its humanitarian partners continue to provide humanitarian assistance in Rakhine and other conflict-affected areas of Myanmar, in line with the 2026 Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan.

The UN reminds all parties to the conflict of their obligations under international humanitarian law to protect civilians, wherever they are.