OHCHR Spokesperson Ravina Shamdasani described the new directive, which reportedly took effect on Tuesday, as “yet another direct blow” by the de facto authorities against Afghan women and girls.

“It is profoundly discriminatory, short-sighted and puts the lives of women and girls at risk in multiple ways.”

Afghanistan already suffers from one of the highest maternal mortality rates in the world and there are deep concerns that that the ban would further erode women’s precarious access to healthcare.

It will also prevent a new generation of nurses and midwives from receiving training.

Under Taliban rules, male medical staff are prohibited from treating women unless accompanied by a male relative, making the presence of female healthcare workers critical.

Ms. Shamdasani noted that the new directive not only blocks the remaining path for Afghan women to pursue higher education but also undermines the country’s overall healthcare system.

Urging the de facto authorities to repeal the harmful directive, she stressed: “It is high time women and girls’ human rights are ensured, in line with Afghanistan’s international human rights obligations.”

Stunted development

The UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) also expressed deep concerns over the directive, stating that, it posed “further restrictions” on women and girls’ rights to education and access to healthcare.

“Ultimately, it will have a detrimental impact on Afghanistan’s healthcare system and on the country’s development,” the Mission said in a statement.

Inexplicable and unjustifiable

Richard Bennett, the UN Special Rapporteur – or independent expert – on the situation of human rights in Afghanistan, described the ban as “inexplicable and unjustifiable.”

“[It will] have devastating impact on entire population if implemented and must be reversed,” he said in a post on the social media platform X.

Appointed and mandated by the Geneva-based Human Rights Council, Mr. Bennett serves in an individual capacity, independent of any government and the United Nations. He is not UN staff and does not draw a salary.

Titled ‘The Syrian Government Detention System as a Tool of Violent Repression,’ the report from the UN International, Impartial and Independent Mechanism (IIIM) draws on over 300 witness interviews, medical forensic evidence and the Syrian Government’s own documentation. It reveals widespread human rights violations including sexual violence and enforced disappearances.

“Our report lays bare the harrowing reality within the Syrian Government detention system,” said IIIM Head Robert Petit. “The interview records of former detainees, corroborated by forensic medical evidence, reveal the severity of the mental and physical harm that was intentionally inflicted”.

Patterns of violence

Former detainees described severe physical and psychological abuse, including beatings, stress positions and sexual violence. The investigation documented inhumane conditions characterised by overcrowding, insufficient food and water, lack of hygiene and denial of medical care.

The investigation highlighted the ongoing trauma faced by victims’ families.

“Thousands of families bear the psychological toll of not knowing where their loved ones are,” Mr. Petit said.

“This is unimaginable psychological torture, yet the Syrian Government continues to intentionally withhold and cover-up information,” he added.

Path forward

Established in 2016 by UN General Assembly, the IIIM works to collect and preserve evidence for future accountability proceedings, though it cannot conduct trials. The report includes an interactive map of detention facilities and has been released in redacted format to protect witnesses.

Despite seeking cooperation from Syria, the IIIM has received no response but continues outreach efforts to states holding relevant evidence, demonstrating its commitment to impartial justice.

Mr. Petit emphasised the report’s significance: “We are making the Detention Report public and widely available, to contribute to the ongoing justice and accountability efforts, not only for past abuses but also those that continue to this day”.

Houthi rebels are holding more than 50 staff from the UN, international and national non-governmental organizations (NGOs), civil society, and diplomatic missions, in addition to four other UN personnel detained in 2021 and 2023.

International law violated, aid efforts hindered

UN Spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric said the Secretary-General acknowledged the recent release of one of the Organization’s staff members and two NGO workers, but recalled that the continued arbitrary detention of dozens of others is unacceptable and constitutes a violation of international law.

“These detentions threaten the safety of humanitarian personnel and significantly impair efforts to assist millions of people in need.  These actions are inconsistent with genuine engagement in peace efforts,” he said.

The UN, NGOs and other international partners are working through all possible channels and authorities to secure the immediate release of the detained personnel.  

WHO infection control experts rush to DR Congo to probe mystery illness 

To the Democratic Republic of the Congo, DRC, where UN infection control experts have been deployed to help investigate a mystery illness that has left 30 people dead, out of nearly 400 confirmed cases.

Symptoms include headaches, coughing, fever, breathing difficulties and anaemia, but the World Health Organization (WHO) said that laboratory testing is needed to determine the cause of the illness.

The infection surfaced in Panzi, a remote locality in Kwango province in the southwest of the country, hundreds of kilometres from the capital Kinshasa.

Hard to reach 

Access by road is difficult and so far, the disease has been reported in seven of Kwango province’s 30 health zones. A respiratory disease such as Influenza or COVID-19 is being investigated as a possible cause, as well as malaria and measles.

The WHO experts – who include epidemiologists and infection prevention and control officers – will join DR Congo’s National Rapid Response Team.

A local UN health agency team has already been supporting authorities in Kwango province since the end of November to reinforce disease surveillance and identify cases. 

UN and partners respond to dire needs in Haiti

The humanitarian situation remains dire for millions of people across Haiti, the UN warned on Friday.

Insecurity continues to impact the capital, Port-au-Prince, with tens of thousands of people remaining uprooted since the escalation of gang violence last month.

Thousands more in both the north and south of the country are affected by ongoing floods.

The UN and partners are supporting authorities and providing assistance to people in need. 

Water and food for thousands

Over the past week, the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and partners have distributed more than 900,000 litres of water to more than 60,000 displaced people in 26 sites across the capital region.

The UN World Food Programme (WFP) also provided more than 95,000 hot meals to some 24,000 displaced people across four sites in Port-au-Prince. 

Furthermore, mobile medical clinics operated by UN migration agency IOM were made accessible to about 14,000 people at four displacement sites this week.  

Meanwhile in the south, humanitarians are supporting and coordinating the floods response – alongside local authorities.  They are also providing emergency aid including hygiene kits and blankets, as well as implementing cash transfer activities.

Severe funding shortfall

Despite ongoing efforts, financial support for humanitarian operations is lacking.

As the end of the year approaches, the $674 million 2024 Humanitarian Response Plan for Haiti remains only 43 per cent funded, with $290 million received.

The UN has called for immediate additional funding to ensure that the dire situation does not further deteriorate.  

Backed by more than 140 nations and adopted without a vote, the resolution recognised that addressing the unlawful trade in such items is vital to preserve the identity and traditions of communities worldwide and enabling them to freely practice and safeguard priceless heritage.

It also acknowledged the devastating impact of illicit trafficking on cultural heritage in general, particularly in regions affected by conflicts, where looting and smuggling of artifacts often fund organized crime and terrorism.  

Strengthen law enforcement

The resolution urged Member States to introduce effective national and international measures to prevent and combat illicit trafficking in cultural property, as well as offering special training for police, customs and border services.

Notably, it invited them to make trafficking in cultural property – including stealing from and looting of archaeological and other cultural sites – a serious crime.

It further urged all nations to establish, where they do not yet exist, specialised police units exclusively dedicated to the protection of cultural heritage to investigate cases of trafficking in cultural property.

Role of museums, action houses

Taking note of the importance of engagement with museums, auction houses, art dealers and collectors, and scientific organizations, it called for “proactive stances” to verify where cultural property has originated from in terms of sales or acquisitions.  

This could include implementing rigorous vetting processes and comprehensive documentation practices, while prioritising transparency and collaboration with international organizations and law enforcement institutions to prevent trafficking.

The resolution also highlighted the importance of the continued efforts on the part of the UN system, in particular UNESCO, to engage with art market professionals on ethnical and legal considerations, as well as raising awareness of establishing provenance investigations, due diligence and return or restitution procedures.

The real-world fight continues

Within the UN system, the education, scientific and cultural agency, UNESCO, has been leading efforts in the global fight against illicit trade and trafficking of cultural heritage.  

Measures include practical measures to enhance legal frameworks, improve enforcement capabilities and raise awareness among all stakeholders, as well as the development of a suite of resources to strengthen the implementation of the 1970 Convention on the Means of Prohibiting and Preventing the Illicit Import, Export, and Transfer of Ownership of Cultural Property.  

Central to these efforts is the UNESCO Database of National Cultural Heritage Laws, which hosts over 3,100 laws from 189 countries, providing a vital resource for governments, law enforcement and cultural institutions.

UNESCO also issues web alerts to notify Member States, INTERPOL and other stakeholders about stolen cultural property, boosting cooperation.

Virtual museum

In an innovative move, UNESCO has announced it is developing a Virtual Museum of Stolen Cultural Objects, set to launch in 2025.

This groundbreaking project will feature three-dimensional (3D) models and high-quality images of stolen artifacts, accompanied by educational narratives and detailed histories.

Unlike traditional museums, its goal is to “empty its collections” as artifacts are recovered and returned to their rightful owners.

The UNESCO committee that protects so called Intangible Cultural Heritage is meeting in Asunción, Republic of Paraguay, until Saturday, to add new entries to the UN culture agency’s list of world treasures.

With more than 700 inscriptions to date, the Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage aims to raise awareness at the local, national and international level.

Maintaining cultural diversity

The session in Asunción – the latest annual gathering of the committee – plays a crucial role in maintaining cultural diversity amid the challenges of globalisation. Being inscribed from the wider list of numerous nominations, comes with the promise of international assistance and support.

In recent decades, UNESCO has played a pivotal role in reshaping the concept of cultural heritage. Beyond monuments and artifacts, the term now encompasses traditions, oral expressions, performing arts, social practices, rituals, festive events, and the knowledge and skills involved in traditional crafts.

“The Convention has reinvented the very notion of heritage – to the extent that we can no longer separate the tangible from the intangible, the sites from the practices”, said Audrey Azoulay, UNESCO Director-General.

“It is our great responsibility to promote this heritage, which — far from being mere folklore, far from being frozen in time and distanced from today’s reality – is very much alive and needed.”

Sake-making with koji mold in Japan

Viewed as a sacred gift, the alcoholic beverage sake, made from grains and water, is indispensable in festivals, weddings, rites of passage and other socio-cultural occasions in Japan. Deeply rooted in Japanese culture, the beverage is made by craftspeople using koji mold to convert the starch in the ingredients into sugar. They oversee the process to make sure the mould grows in optimal conditions, adjusting the temperature and humidity as needed.

Intore, Rwanda

A dance performed by a troupe in Rwanda, Intore is at the centre of community events and festivities, including harvest festivals and the reception of distinguished guests. Supported by songs and poems of triumph, the dancers are arranged in lines representing the ranks of warriors on a battlefield.

Through their movements, they mimic a battle with an invisible adversary, leaping and wielding their spears and shields to the rhythm of the traditional drums and horns, in an expression of power.

Taif roses, Saudi Arabia

In the Taif region of Saudi Arabia, rose practices are an integral part of social and religious rituals and an important source of income.

© UNESCO/Saleh Althobaiti/Heritage Commission, Saudi Arabia

A local girl from Taif, Saudi Arabia, wearing the traditional dress of the region.

During the harvest season, which starts in March, farmers and their families pick the roses in the early morning and transport them to the local market to be sold or to their houses to be distilled.

Communities use rose water and essential oil in beauty products, traditional medicine, food and drinks.

Craftsmanship of Aleppo Ghar soap, Syria

In the Syrian Arab Republic, Aleppo ghar soap is crafted using locally produced olive oil and laurel oil (ghar).

© UNESCO/Syrian Trust for Development

The crafting of Syrian Aleppo ghar soap is based on traditional knowledge and skills.

In a collaborative, intergenerational process, the ingredients are picked, cooked, then poured on the floors of traditional soap factories.

Once the mixture cools, craftsmen don large wooden shoes to cut the slab into cubes, using their body weight and a rake. After that, the cubes are hand-stamped with the family name and stacked to dry.

Thailand’s Tomyum Kung soup

Tomyum Kung is a traditional prawn soup in Thailand. The prawns (or shrimp) are boiled with herbs and seasoned with local condiments. The soup has a distinctive aroma and vibrant colours, and combines many tastes, including sweet, sour, savoury, spicy, creamy and slightly bitter.

The dish is believed to promote energy and wellness, particularly during the monsoon season. It embodies the culinary wisdom of the Buddhist riverside communities in the Central Plains of Thailand and their traditional knowledge of the environment and medicinal herbs.

The art of decorating eggs

© UNESCO/Yuriy Atamaniuk

Pysanka, the Ukrainian tradition and art of decorating eggs.

Pysanka consists in applying traditional patterns and symbols to the egg using wax in Ukraine and Estonia.

The egg is then dipped into dye, covering all but the waxed areas. The process is repeated to achieve the desired pattern and colours.

Although it is now associated with Easter, the tradition is meaningful to Ukrainian communities regardless of religion.

Henna: rituals, aesthetic and social practices

© UNESCO/Department of Culture and Tourism, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

Applying henna in celebration of Eid, United Arab Emirates.

Perceived as sacred by communities in Northern Africa and the Middle East, Henna’s leaves are harvested twice a year to create a paste.

Henna paste is commonly used by women for adornment. It is a symbol of joy and is used in everyday life and on festive occasions such as births and weddings. Its use is linked to centuries-old societal rules and traditions.

Equestrian art in Portugal

Characterized by the rider’s position on the saddle, as well as by the traditional attire and harnesses used, equestrian art in Portugal is based on a sense of harmony and deep connection between rider and horse, with respect to the animal and its well-being.

The practice requires a horse that is flexible and manageable, such as the purebred Lusitano. A source of collective identity, the practice is featured in pilgrimages, annual fairs and other social events.

© UNESCO/Rita Fernandes

Female horse rider in Golegã dressed in Portuguese style.

Extra support

This week, two traditions were also added to the List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding. The Wosana ritual that is observed by the Bakalanga community in the Northeast and Central Districts of Botswana, and the Reog Ponorogo performing art in Indonesia.

The performing art is a centuries-old theatrical dance that is traditionally performed on various occasions, including disaster aversion ceremonies. Dancers dress as kings and warriors to narrate the story of the Bantarangin Kingdom and its king.

Go to UNESCO’s website to learn more about intangible heritage by exploring close to 700 elements inscribed on its Lists of the 2003 Convention through the agency’s interactive multimedia portal.

“As you have heard many times by now, today’s Iraq is not the same as the Iraq of 20 years ago, or even five years ago. Iraq today is more secure, stable and open, despite the many obstacles facing the country," Mohamed Al Hassan said in his first briefing to ambassadors.

The envoy, who also heads the UN Assistance Mission in Iraq (UNAMI), expressed confidence that the country “is capable of overcoming crises and facing challenges towards forging a more secure, bright and hopeful future.”

Nationwide census, major investments

Mr. Al Hassan outlined recent milestones, starting with the successful conduct of the national census last month – the first to include the semi-autonomous Kurdistan Region in the north, since 1987.

Preliminary results indicate that Iraq’s population has nearly doubled over the past 30 years, surpassing 45 million, and “decision makers will now be able to plan based on reliable facts and figures.”

Key political appointment 

Another key development was the October election of a new Speaker of the Council of Representatives, the Iraqi parliament, “after a year of vacancy and various unsuccessful attempts.”

Additionally, Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani continues to invest in major infrastructure projects throughout the country, including building roads, bridges, schools and transportation networks.

Promoting regional peace and integration

“In a region that is ‘on fire’, Iraq’s Government has shown strong resolve to keep the country out of the widening regional conflict, while standing firm as a strong voice for regional peace and stability,” he continued.

The Prime Minister “has consistently called for an end to regional tensions, stressing the need for respect of Iraq’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.”

Moreover, looking beyond the current conflicts, the Government is also striving to position Iraq as a vital corridor for transportation, energy, and trade, leveraging regional partnerships. 

“Such initiatives underscore Iraq’s efforts to foster regional integration and prosperity,” he said.

Progress in the Kurdistan Region

Mr. Al Hassan also highlighted “positive progress” made in the Kurdistan Region, where parliamentary elections were held on 20 October “after two years of protracted negotiations and delays”, thus re-establishing the legitimacy of institutions there. 

UNAMI provided electoral assistance for the process in which more than two million people participated.  Voter turnout reached 72 per cent – a 12 per cent increase over the previous elections, and women secured 31 of the 100 parliamentary seats, exceeding the minimum quota of 30 per cent.

“As negotiations among political parties for the formation of the new regional government are underway, political parties have a responsibility to enable women’s access to political positions and a seat at the table for them,” he said.

Moreover, the Prime Minister’s visit to the regional capital, Erbil, following the elections “was an important step towards promoting joint dialogue to address the many important issues between the two sides.”

Corruption and threats to women’s rights

Mr. Hassan said, however, that these positive developments are “tempered by the threat posed by persistent and systemic corruption despite the Government’s efforts to address them.”

He underlined the need for “comprehensive changes and reforms that will bolster accountability, promote competency, improve transparency, and fortify governance systems,” adding “I fully truly trust that the Government is taking promising steps in this direction.”

While strengthening state institutions to tackle corruption is crucial, he said “bolstering state institutions, promoting and supporting human rights are all the more important in a country that is moving away from its dark past." This requires having strong institutions that safeguard people’s fundamental rights and freedoms. 

Debate over marriage law

He noted that there has been much public debate and international attention around the proposed amendments to the Personal Status Law, which would have far-reaching implications for women and girls. 

UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed recently observed that the provisions include lowering the legal marriage age for girls from 18 years to nine years. UNAMI has extensively engaged with Iraqi stakeholders on the draft.

Displaced people ‘deserve better’

Turning to other matters, Mr. Al Hassan said the impact of the terrorist group Da’esh is still visible in camps hosting thousands of displaced people, mainly members of the Yazidi minority community.  He has witnessed these harsh living conditions first-hand.

“It is unacceptable for Iraq. Iraq can do better,” he said.  “I am certain that Iraq will be able to provide better living conditions for those who were victims in the first place. My heart and solidarity go to the Yazidis and others who are displaced for so many years. They deserve better.”

The Prime Minister’s decision to establish a National High Committee in consultation with the UN to tackle displacement, therefore marks a step in the right direction but it is not enough. He urged Iraq to invest concretely in creating the conditions for Yazidis and others who have been uprooted to return home.

Repatriations from Syrian camps 

“And let’s not forget the Iraqi citizens still in Al Hol camp in northeastern Syria,” he added, referring to the site where thousands of people of various nationalities, including children, are being held for alleged ties to Da’esh. 

Although Iraq is one of the very few countries working to repatriate citizens, again more action is needed to accelerate returns from “the hell-like conditions” there. 

“We have renewed commitments from the Iraqi Government and institutions …. to repatriate Iraqi citizens from Al Hol and other camps in northeast Syria, hopefully before the end of 2025,” he said, urging other countries to follow suit.  

“All night, there was heavy bombing around the Kamal Adwan Hospital”, said Dr. Rik Peeperkorn, the UN health’s agency Representative for the Occupied Palestinian Territory.

Speaking from the enclave to journalists in Geneva via video, he reported that an Israel Defense Forces (IDF) tank was seen outside the hospital at around 4am on Friday, while people were told to move out the health centre.

“There was no official evacuation order,” he maintained, but instead, rumours and panic.

“People started to climb the wall to escape, and this panic attracted IDF fire. There are reports of deaths and arrests.”

Emergency team thwarted

The veteran UN humanitarian worker explained that very few aid deliveries and emergency health teams have reached Kamal Adwan Hospital since the beginning of the Israeli military operation in Gaza's far north in early October. This has left the facility without critical reserves, including fuel.

After seven weeks of unsuccessful attempts and denied requests for access, an international Emergency Medical Team (EMT) with basic supplies was finally deployed to Kamal Adwan “less than a week ago”, only to be told to leave again seven days later, explained Dr. Peeperkorn.

The team comprised two surgeons, two emergency nurses, one gynaecologist and one logistician. “They are just there, and within one week they are gone again. This is not only for me incomprehensible but also incredibly, incredibly sad,” said the senior WHO medic, who added that no surgeons remain at Kamal Adwan Hospital.

Missions denied or impeded

Since October 2023, 58 per cent of the 273 WHO-led missions inside Gaza have been either denied, cancelled or impeded.

This has added to the urgent but extremely difficult task of evacuating patients who need specialist medical support outside the enclave.

Since 7 Oct 2023 and the start of the war sparked by Hamas-led terror attacks in Israel, 5,325 patients have been evacuated from Gaza.

Evacuation crisis

Almost 5,000 travelled via the Rafah crossing before it was closed last 7 May, including 4,000 children. The UN health agency estimates that at least 12,000 patients across Gaza still need medical evacuation to survive.

At least 44,612 Palestinians have been killed and 105,834 wounded since the beginning of the war on October 7, 2023, according to the Palestinian health authorities. The majority of those killed were women and children.

Gaza’s children paying horrific price

Gaza’s children continued to die this week while sheltering inside tents, or desperately queuing for bread, said UNICEF Middle East and North Africa Regional Director Edouard Beigbeder on Friday.

An airstrike in Nuseirat Camp, central Gaza, reportedly claimed the lives of four children near a local food distribution point on Wednesday.

“They were amongst civilians lining up for a meal until bombs started falling from the sky. Two boys and a girl under 10 years old, and a teenage boy of 16”, he said, adding that an airstrike reportedly hit 40 tents that evening in Al Mawasi, a unilaterally designated “humanitarian zone,” causing massive explosion and fires. At least 22 people were reportedly killed, including eight children, with dozens more injured.

Last week, two children and a woman were reportedly crushed to death while waiting in line outside a bakery in central Gaza. “Hungry children swept up by despair,” he continued.

“The overall humanitarian response in Gaza is teetering toward full collapse. The lives of virtually all children are at risk or have been shattered by unimaginable trauma, loss, and deprivation,” said the senior UNICEF official.”

“Their safety and access to essential humanitarian aid is not being facilitated as explicitly demanded by international law…The ongoing normalization of such horror needs to turn into action to stop it. Enough is enough.”

Asmaa Niang, who is from Morocco, spoke to UN News at the UN Convention to Control Desertification (UNCCD) meeting known as COP16 and explained why as an athlete she has the “responsibility to give back and inspire others to protect the land.”

As a five-time African judo champion and Olympic athlete in Rio de Janeiro (2016) and Tokyo (2020) she knows a lot about resilience and how to defeat adversaries, experience she has used to fight desertification in Morocco and across the world.

“Judo is a sport based on the philosophy of leading a positive life, it is also a sport of resilience,” she said. “So, I have a responsibility to give back to society by using this experience to inform people about desertification issues and inspire them to action.”

Globally, UNCCD says that “the future of our land in on the line,” as 100 million hectares (the size of Egypt) of healthy and productive land is degraded each year.

Droughts are hitting harder and more often and three out of four people in the world are projected to face water scarcity by 2050.

That loss of land is affecting people across the world and specifically nomad peoples in Morocco and other countries that Asmaa Niang has visited.

“Nomadic groups are a symbol of freedom,” she said, because of their peripatetic lifestyle.  “In Morocco, Kenya and Mongolia, I have seen how desertification and drought has driven them to extreme vulnerability and changed their way of life,” adding that “their freedom is linked to our freedom, as we are all dependent on the land for our survival.”

©Asmaa Niang

UNCCD has been working with athletes since the Paris Olympic Games as part of its Sport4Land campaign, leveraging their celebrity and influence to advocate for communities affected by desertification and land loss, but also to highlight the local and global solutions to restore land  and use it in a more sustainable way.

“Healthy land provides nearly 95 per cent of the food we eat. It gives us shelter, provides livelihoods and protects us from escalating droughts, floods and forest fires,” said UNCCD.

The policy makers, experts, the private and civil society sectors as well as youth and sportspeople who are coming together in Riyadh are focusing on a number of goals including accelerating the restoration of degraded land by 2030 and beyond.

“Restoring our land is about more than improving the environment,” according to UNCCD, “it’s about creating better quality of life, ensuring food security, and driving sustainable growth.”

© UNCCD/Mwangi Kirubi

Turkana County in the north of Kenya regularly faces drought conditions.

As droughts, floods and forest fires become more regular and intense across the world, population growth and unsustainable production and consumption patterns are fueling demand for natural resources.

By 2050, 10 billion people will share the planet and depend on healthy land for their livelihoods.

“I see people are engaged at this meeting,” said Judo Olympian Asmaa Niang, “and if everyone makes even just small changes, for example, changing their consumption patterns, eradicating plastic, then we can treat the earth in a kinder way and build greater resilience.” 

Aid has continued to flow from Türkiye across three border crossings into the embattled northwest and the UN World Food Programme (WFP) said that it had opened community kitchens in Aleppo and Hama – cities now reportedly occupied by HTS fighters.

In neighbouring Lebanon, meanwhile, senior UN aid official Edem Wosornu expressed deep concerns for the safety of more than 600,000 people who have begun to return to their devastated homes, after a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah kicked in on 27 November. “I'm sure they are settling back, the problem is what they would find when they go back home,” she told journalists in Geneva, highlighting the potential dangers from unexploded ordnance.

Syrians' hunger misery

Speaking in Geneva after a joint UN and NGO Emergency Directors assessment mission to the Middle East from 25 November to 1 December, the UN World Food Programme (WFP’s) Samer AbdelJaber described Syria’s new unfolding emergency as “a crisis on top of another” – a reference to the war that began in 2011, sparked by a civil uprising against the Government. 

Since then, it has drawn in regional and international powers and defied the efforts of the Security Council and wider global community to bring it to an end. It’s estimated that hundreds of thousands have been killed and many more are believed to remain in the Government’s prisons.

Mr. AbdelJaber, who heads WFP’s Emergency Coordination, Strategic Analysis and Humanitarian Diplomacy arm, warned that around 1.5 million people are likely to be displaced by this latest escalation “and will be requiring our support. Of course, the humanitarian partners are working on both sides of the front lines we're trying to reach the communities wherever their needs are.”

The WFP official noted that the sudden escalation had not shut down three humanitarian border crossings with Türkiye and that aid continues to flow into Aleppo, Syria’s second city. 

The UN agency “has opened and supported two community kitchens that are providing hot meals in both Aleppo as well as in Hama,” he said, adding that “the aid partners are on the ground and doing everything they can to basically provide the assistance to the people”.

Millions of Syrians are already in crisis because of the war which has destroyed the economy and people’s livelihoods, threatening their survival. “It’s at a breaking point at the moment in Syria, after 13 or 14 years of a conflict, over three million Syrians are severely food insecure and cannot afford enough food,” Mr. AbdelJaber said, adding that a total of 12.9 million people in Syria needed food assistance before the latest crisis.

Despite the clear need for more support, international funding for Syria’s $4.1 billion humanitarian response plan “faces its largest shortfall ever”, the WFP official warned, with less than one-third needed for 2024 received to date.

Lebanon returnees in danger

In neighbouring Lebanon, senior UN humanitarian official Edem Wosornu, Director, Operations and Advocacy Division at the UN aid coordination office, OCHA, said that people affected by the war between Israel and Hezbollah fighters “have returned faster than they even left the conflict; more than 600,000 people have begun to go back home, and as we speak, I'm sure they are settling back. The problem is what they would find when they go back home and the need for our response to pivot very quickly.”

Among those in need today are many Syrian refugees who fled the war in their country, only to be displaced several times since their arrival, explained Isabel Gomes, Global Lead of Disaster Management at NGO World Vision International: “There was this particular girl that we spoke with; she told us the story that at the time of the conflict, when she had to move, she was pregnant, close to nine months, and she had to walk kilometres and kilometres and kilometres. 

"Then she asked us if she could show us her baby, and we saw her baby was two months. But when we asked if the baby had received vaccines, she said the baby had never received vaccines.”

Returning farming communities also face deadly dangers from the fighting in southern Lebanon’s wartorn zones, OCHA’s Ms. Wosornu explained: “We also are concerned about the impact of mines and unexploded ordnance in the some of these locations.

"We are really asking our mine action colleagues and others to support the Government in demining activities because when people who want to go back home, who’ve gone back home, the farmers who are trying to salvage the rest of the olive harvest, there's fears that this...could be impacted there.”