Humanitarians continue to face impediments to aid delivery in Gaza
Since the ceasefire in Gaza last October, the UN and partners have brought in nearly 200,000 metric tonnes of aid and delivered food assistance to over a million people every month, yet they continue to face constraints, a veteran aid worker said on Wednesday from the enclave, in a briefing to journalists.
Olga Cherevko, spokesperson with the UN aid coordination office OCHA, said humanitarians could alleviate suffering faster and on a larger scale, if only these obstacles were removed.
“Aid organizations are facing severe limitations. Urgently needed supplies, including some medical items, tools to repair homes, machinery to clear rubble and spare parts remain heavily restricted. Telecommunications disruptions further complicate coordination and emergency response.”
She said damage to roads, warehouses, water systems and health facilities is also limiting efforts to store, distribute and deliver assistance where it is most needed.
Furthermore, coordination requirements, deadly explosive ordinance and damaged infrastructure affect access to many areas.
Ms. Cherevko called for safe humanitarian access in Gaza, removal of restrictions on aid entry, reliable movement routes in the territory, as well as sustained and sufficient funding.
Gaza at ‘turning point’, UN Deputy Special Coordinator tells Security Council
Gaza was also the focus of debate in the Security Council in New York, where the UN Deputy Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process briefed ambassadors.
Ramiz Alakbarov said the meeting comes amid “both profound opportunity and considerable risk.”
“In front of us we see a potential turning point for Gaza, a genuine chance for a better future. But many uncertainties remain. In parallel we also see a continued unraveling in the occupied West Bank, and a region mired in tension.”
He said the announced second phase of United States President Donald Trump’s 20-point Comprehensive Plan marks “a critical step” in consolidating the ceasefire in Gaza, alongside the creation of the Board of Peace, the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza and the Office of the High Representative for Gaza.
Mr. Alakbarov was fresh from Cairo where he met with the new National Committee to discuss how the UN can best support the provision of critical public services, facilitate humanitarian aid and lay the groundwork for Gaza’s reconstruction.
He affirmed that “the task at hand is monumental,” and requires full coordination among all stakeholders, taking into account existing systems and capacities.
DR Congo: $1.4 billion appeal to help millions amid funding gap
The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and the humanitarian community have launched an urgent appeal for $1.4 billion to support millions in the country this year, particularly in the volatile eastern region.
Nearly 15 million people are in need but due to limited funding, emphasis is on reaching the 7.3 million who are most vulnerable – compared to 11 million in 2025.
The UN Humanitarian Coordinator in the DRC, Bruno Lemarquis, said “the combination of immense needs and limited resources forces us to make extremely difficult, sometimes impossible, choices.”
The appeal focuses exclusively on areas affected by three major shocks: conflict, climate hazards, and recurrent epidemics. It covers 228 health zones, compared to 332 in 2025.
This drastic reduction comes in a humanitarian context that is already deeply disrupted, particularly in the east where the situation has continued to deteriorate since January 2025 following an offensive by M23 rebels.
This crisis is exacerbated by incessant clashes in three provinces which have also disrupted supply chains, making access to affected populations more difficult and dangerous than ever.
Given the gravity of the situation, Mr. Lemarquis called for a genuine paradigm shift, while stressing the need for peace.
Dianne Penn, UN News
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Source of original article: United Nations (news.un.org). Photo credit: UN. The content of this article does not necessarily reflect the views or opinion of Global Diaspora News (www.globaldiasporanews.com).
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