Sudan, Occupied Palestinian Territory & other topics - Daily Press Briefing | United Nations

Noon Briefing by Stéphane Dujarric, Spokesperson for the Secretary-General. Highlights: Sudan Occupied Palestinian Territory Ukraine Myanmar Somalia Financial Contribution SUDAN The Security Council will hold an open briefing on Sudan. Assistant Secretary-General for the Middle East, Asia and the Pacific of the United Nations, Khaled Khiari, and the Director of OCHA’s Crisis Response Division, Edem Wosornu, will brief the Council. The UN is deeply concerned by the escalating violence that is placing civilians at extreme risk and triggering new waves of displacement, particularly in the Kordofan region. OCHA says that in South Kordofan State, displacement has increased sharply in recent days. The International Organization for Migration (IOM) estimates that on Friday, heightened insecurity drove nearly 500 people to flee villages in the locality of Reif Shargi and seek refuge in Kadugli and surrounding areas, as well as in North Kordofan State. Displacement into White Nile State is also rising, with more than 15,000 people arriving from the Kordofan region since late October, according to local authorities. In eastern Sudan, local authorities yesterday reported the arrival of some 400 people in Gedaref town from Babanusa and Heglig towns in West Kordofan State. While community kitchens have provided immediate food support, shelter assistance is urgently needed, particularly as further arrivals are expected. Meanwhile, in the Darfur region, the IOM estimates that more than 107,000 people were displaced from North Darfur’s state capital, El Fasher, and surrounding villages between late October that’s when the Rapid Support Forces took control of the city, and early December. Many had already been displaced multiple times after fleeing camps such as Zamzam and Abu Shouk. Our partners also report that last week, more than 2,500 people displaced from El Fasher and surrounding areas arrived in the locality of Sheria, in South Darfur State. These newly arrived families urgently need food, essential relief items and health services. Civilians in the Darfur region continue to face deadly violence. On Saturday, a drone strike reportedly hit a busy market in Al Malha, North Darfur State, killing at least 10 people, according to first responders. This violence is part of a broader pattern that continues to devastate Sudan’s health system. The World Health Organization (WHO) warns that attacks on healthcare facilities have reached alarming levels. In 2025 alone, 65 such attacks in Sudan have caused more than 1,600 deaths, accounting for over 80 per cent of all global deaths from attacks on healthcare in complex emergencies this year. As the year draws to a close, we continue to urge all parties to immediately halt attacks on civilians and civilian infrastructure, uphold international humanitarian law and ensure safe, unhindered humanitarian access, so the year ahead is not marked by the same misery. OCCUPIED PALESTINIAN TERRITORY Turning to the Gaza Strip, the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reports that humanitarians continue to deliver assistance to help the most vulnerable families endure the dire situation on the ground, especially during this cold and wet season. Over the past 24 hours, and despite the ceasefire, the UN has continued to receive reports of air strikes, shelling and gunfire in all five governorates of the Gaza Strip. This has resulted in reported casualties and disruptions to humanitarian operations. Yesterday, a rescue mission to reach an injured person in Gaza City was denied.   Amid the severe lack of shelter across the Strip, people are staying in buildings that are either partially or mostly damaged as they try to protect their families from the elements.  Our partners in Gaza said that over the weekend, several buildings collapsed due to stormy conditions, with casualties reported.   A reminder that three quarters of women-headed households urgently need shelter support, and two thirds urgently need clothing, that's according to the Gender in Humanitarian Action Working Group.  Our partners continue to work to improve access to dignified shelter for the estimated 1.3 million people who require it. In the past week, about 3,500 families affected by storms or living in flood-prone areas received tents, bedding sets, mattresses and blankets. Additionally, more than 250,000 children received winter clothing.  However, our partners estimate that 630,000 adolescents across the Strip still need winter clothing assistance.  The UN and our partners call once again for the lifting of all restrictions on the entry of aid into Gaza, including shelter material, as these constraints hinder humanitarian efforts to reach people in need.  Full Highlights: https://www.un.org/sg/en/content/noon-briefing-highlight?date=2025-12-22


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