UN warns of acute humanitarian needs in Gaza, Syria and Sudan

United Nations spokesperson Farhan on Thursday described urgent humanitarian needs across Gaza, Syria and Sudan and outlined recent UN and partner assistance.

Farhan said thousands in Gaza remain affected by recent winter storms, with 'more than 3,000 people exposed to severe weather' after tents and makeshift shelters were blown away and 'more than 60 inhabited buildings' at risk of collapse. He said heavy equipment, fuel and construction materials remain restricted from entering Gaza and are urgently needed.

On aid, Farhan said the UN and partners continue to scale up response efforts. UNICEF has 'reached more than 280,000 people with cash' to help malnourished children access a variety of food. The UN has been distributing tents, tarpaulins, blankets, warm clothes, nutrition, hygiene and sanitary items.

Turning to Syria, Farhan reported some 58,000 people remain displaced while nearly 90,000 have returned to homes after recent clashes in Aleppo; the Syrian Humanitarian Fund and cross‑border fund allocated 2,500,000 (currency not specified) to national NGOs for rapid assistance in Aleppo, Afrin and Idlib.

On Sudan, Farhan cited World Food Programme figures that its operations deliver food assistance to an average of 4,000,000 people each month, while more than 21,000,000 people face acute hunger. He said nearly 12,000,000 people have been forced to flee and about 3,700,000 children and pregnant and breastfeeding mothers are malnourished. The SG reiterated calls for an immediate cessation of hostilities and protection of civilians.

Farhan described these updates as ongoing efforts rather than final assessments; he repeatedly urged that access and the flow of fuel and construction materials be enabled to expand relief operations.