World Humanitarian Day

On the occasion of today’s World Humanitarian Day, more than 400 humanitarian organizations have sent an open letter to the member states of the UN General Assembly calling for the protection of civilians, including their personnel.

With 280 aid workers killed in 33 countries last year, 2023 was the deadliest year for the global humanitarian community. This unprecedented number represents a 137 percent increase from 2022, when 118 aid workers were killed.

Things could get even deadlier in 2024. As of August 7, 172 aid workers have been killed, according to a preliminary count from the Aid Worker Security Database.

This year’s World Humanitarian Day aims to counter the normalisation of attacks on civilians, including humanitarian workers, and impunity under international humanitarian law.

A global digital campaign launched today calls on world leaders and parties to conflict to stand up for humanity. Humanitarian leaders and their staff in more than 40 countries joined forces to highlight the terrible consequences of armed conflict for civilians and their colleagues.

Occupied Palestinian Territory

According to an OCHA report, Israel’s latest evacuation order for parts of the central Gaza Strip on Saturday affects about 13,500 displaced Palestinians from 18 areas.

This order covers the entire Al Maghazi refugee camp and several neighborhoods in Deir al Balah.

Initial mapping shows that the newly evacuated areas include five schools, 14 water, sanitation and health facilities, and ten health sites, including two primary health care centers and five medical care posts.

OCHA warns that ongoing hostilities, constant evacuation orders and severe shortages of essential goods are making it increasingly difficult for displaced families to access basic services at their points of arrival.

Since October, evacuation orders have been in place for 86 percent of the Gaza Strip – about 314 square kilometers.

The Gaza Strip’s population is increasingly concentrated in a zone designated by the Israeli authorities in Al Mawasi, where the Palestinians have been sent. According to OCHA, the population density in this area has risen to 30,000 to 34,000 people per square kilometer. Before October, the population density was estimated at 1,200 people per square kilometer.

Over the past month, this area has shrunk to just over 41 square kilometers, or 11 percent of the Gaza Strip.

OCHA warns that repeated waves of displacement – ​​coupled with overcrowding, insecurity, crumbling infrastructure, active hostilities and limited services – are exacerbating the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

Meanwhile, severe fuel shortages are forcing hospitals to postpone vital operations and ambulance operations may also be suspended, particularly in the north of the Gaza Strip.

Sudan

In a statement released on Saturday, UN Secretary-General António Guterres praised the decision of the Sudanese authorities to reopen the Adre border crossing between Chad and Darfur. He said the Adre crossing was the most direct and efficient route for humanitarian aid to reach Darfur, where millions of people are suffering from acute hunger.

The Secretary-General stressed that humanitarian organizations must have full, safe and unhindered access to reach all civilians in need.

UN humanitarian workers have received confirmation that Sudanese authorities have authorized the transport of 131 trucks carrying food and other relief supplies from Chad across the border.

Meanwhile, OCHA warns that heavy rains and floods in Sudan are having devastating effects.

Since the start of the rainy season in June, more than a quarter of a million people – around 258,000 – have been affected in 13 of Sudan’s 18 states. This includes almost 119,000 people who have been left homeless by the floods.

The rains are wreaking havoc in refugee camps, including Abu Shouk and Zamzam camps, where famine was declared earlier this month. Both camps are located near Al Fasher, the capital of North Darfur state.

Floods also increase the risk of disease outbreaks. In recent weeks, the number of cholera cases has increased, with hundreds reported. A dozen Sudanese states are experiencing simultaneous outbreaks of multiple diseases – at a time when three-quarters of health facilities in the worst-affected areas are no longer functioning.