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

#Yemen

Yemen must not be forgotten as hunger deepens, UN relief chief tells Security Council

The Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, Tom Fletcher, told the Security Council today that the humanitarian crisis in Yemen is accelerating, driven by a lethal combination of conflict, economic collapse, rising prices and lost livelihoods, compounded by an overstretched health system.

Fletcher stressed that hunger is a real and growing threat. He stated that the share of people unable to meet their basic food needs has jumped to nearly 60 per cent in just one month and that around 5 million people are facing severe hunger. “The hunger crisis is not just about empty plates; it has stolen lives and futures,” he said.

Fletcher noted that the humanitarian response is continuing, even in the face of reduced access, presence, and funding.

He asked the Council for three things: first, to secure the release of detained colleagues, noting that 73 staff members remain arbitrarily detained by the Houthi de facto authorities; second, to fund the response, as the humanitarian appeal is less than 15 percent funded; and third, to support peace efforts, stressing that humanitarian action can help hold the line but cannot end the crisis.

#Lebanon

Displaced families begin cautious returns amid fragile calm

OCHA reports that some displaced families in Lebanon are cautiously returning to their communities following Sunday’s announcement of the US-Iran agreement.

According to national authorities, the number of displaced people staying in collective shelters has decreased by about 10,000 people over the past four days, from around 134,000 last Friday to approximately 124,000 as of 3pm local time today.

In South Governorate, some 2,700 people reportedly left collective shelters yesterday, but it is not clear whether people are returning to their homes or making temporary visits to check on their property.

While violence has decreased since Sunday, incidents in southern Lebanon continue to be reported, affecting civilians’ ability to move safely. Unexploded ordnance remains a serious threat, with two casualties reported in the municipalities of Yater and Majdal Zoun, in South Governorate, in the past 24 hours.

The UN continues to call for the protection of civilians and for their returns to be safe, voluntary and informed, with sustained humanitarian access and support for those who need it.

*Donations made to UN Crisis Relief help UN agencies and humanitarian NGOs reach people in Lebanon with urgent support.

#Occupied Palestinian Territory

Despite hurdles, food assistance reaches 420,000 people this month

OCHA reports that the UN and humanitarian partners continue to respond to both ongoing and emerging needs across the Gaza Strip, while urging a more enabling operational environment and increased funding to reach the most vulnerable.

Partners note that shortages in fuel, engine oil and spare parts continue to undermine critical water and sanitation operations, including water production and distribution, as well as solid waste management. Through prioritized fuel allocations, life-saving activities, such as water production, treatment and trucking, have continued but at a reduced scale.

Meanwhile, partners are advancing the pest management plan. The UN Development Programme is leading pesticide application efforts, while UNICEF and the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees are supporting community mobilisation and awareness on safety measures.

On food security, partners report that in the first two weeks of June, nearly 420,000 people received assistance, including two food parcels, high-energy biscuits and one bag of flour per family. This covers approximately 75 per cent of minimum daily caloric needs.

In support of livelihoods, between 1 and 9 June, partners distributed animal feed to around 2,200 herders, with each household receiving one 50-kilogram bag of concentrated fodder and one bag of barley.

In addition, since late March, partners have provided conditional cash assistance of US$2,500 per farmer to more than 1,000 farmers, supporting the reactivation of local crop production across the Gaza Strip.

OCHA reiterates that sustained humanitarian access, adequate fuel supplies, and increased funding remain critical to maintain and scale up these life-saving interventions. 

#Democratic Republic of the Congo

Escalating violence in the east constrains Ebola response

In the Democratic Republic of the Congo, OCHA reports that escalating violence in the east of the country continues to take a heavy toll on civilians, constraining aid operations and complicating our efforts to contain the Ebola outbreak.

In the province of North Kivu, clashes over the weekend in the territories of Walikale and Masisi forced hundreds of families to flee. On 13 June, at least three civilians were killed and five injured during shelling in the towns of Muunda and Buhimba, according to local authorities. Essential services, including health facilities and schools, remain disrupted.

Meanwhile, in the province of South Kivu, hostilities continued through yesterday, with airstrikes, shelling, and gunfire reported in populated areas across the territories of Fizi, Uvira and Kalehe, further disrupting humanitarian access and leaving more people without assistance.

Ongoing clashes and resulting displacement risk are increasing the risk of transmission of Ebola, particularly as people move to and from affected provinces. Partners are ready to respond but are constrained by poor access.

As of 14 June, health authorities reported 21 new confirmed cases, bringing the total to 808 cases across Ituri, North Kivu and South Kivu.

Despite the challenges, the UN and its humanitarian partners continue to support national authorities in containing the outbreak through patient care, strengthened surveillance, prevention measures, risk communication, and the provision of safe and dignified burials.

The UN urgently reiterate our call on all parties to protect civilians and ensure safe, rapid and unhindered humanitarian access.