UN highlights crises in Lebanon, Sudan, South Sudan and Ukraine; appeals for donor support
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Summary
The UN briefed on multiple humanitarian crises: a UNIFIL incident in southern Lebanon, large displacements in Sudan and South Sudan, cholera outbreaks, and strikes in Ukraine; OCHA appealed for $2.9 billion to reach more than 20 million people.
The United Nations spokesperson used the briefing to summarize humanitarian crises beyond Gaza and to press for donor support.
On southern Lebanon, the spokesperson said UN peacekeepers and Lebanese authorities were responding after hazardous substance sampling north of the Blue Line and that peacekeepers observed drones near Kafar Kalasek; one drone dropped a stun grenade about 50 meters away after peacekeepers took defensive action, and no injuries were reported.
On Sudan, the spokesperson said Emergency Relief Coordinator Tom Fletcher participated in a Washington event to mobilize resources and support a humanitarian truce. The spokesperson noted the Quad (U.S., Egypt, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates) is engaged on measures including demilitarization of key areas alongside scaling life-saving assistance.
Humanitarian teams reported displacement and acute needs: more than 10,000 displaced people in camps near Abu Jubaiyah in South Kordofan; more than 1,000 new arrivals in Tawila, North Darfur, facing shortages; and a widening crisis in South Sudan where renewed fighting and air strikes forced an estimated 280,000 people to flee since December. UNICEF warned roughly 450,000 children are at risk of acute malnutrition nationwide in South Sudan.
The spokesperson said humanitarian operations are under threat from looting, damage and intimidation of facilities and staff. OCHAs 2025 appeal was described as seeking $2.9 billion to reach over 20 million people. The spokesperson appealed to donors to fund partners so they can scale up assistance.
On Ukraine, the spokesperson reported recent strikes killed several civilians, injured dozens and damaged energy infrastructure across eight regions; many high-rise residential buildings were reported without heating and aid groups are expanding treatment capacity, setting up warming points and providing generators.
The spokesperson closed this section by reiterating that donor funding and safe access are essential to scale up humanitarian operations and to protect civilians across multiple crises.