Afghanistan

The Humanitarian Coordinator in Ukraine today condemned the latest wave of deadly strikes across the country, including in the northern city of Chernihiv. According to Ukrainian authorities, the attacks killed and injured civilians, including children, and damaged homes and a hospital.

The following Security Council press statement was issued today by Council President Yamazaki Kazuyuki (Japan):

The Security Council today decided to extend the mandate of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) until 17 March 2025, expressing its appreciation for the Organization’s long-term commitment to support the people of that country and stressing the need for a continued field presence.

In Bolivia, the United Nations is supporting authorities to tackle massive floods, which have been worsened by the El Niño phenomenon and climate change. The Organization is further assessing the impacts on water, sanitation, education, health and shelter.

Calling for sustained international engagement towards an Afghanistan at peace with itself and its neighbours, the head of the Organization’s mission in that country called on its de facto authorities to reverse its repressive policies towards women.

In Myanmar, the conflict now spans vast swathes of the country. More than 350,000 people are displaced in Rakhine. The 2024 Humanitarian Response Plan seeks $994 million to support 5.3 million people in the country, but it is currently just 3 per cent funded.

In Ukraine, the Humanitarian Coordinator there denounced a new wave of attacks on Ukrainian cities and towns that took place overnight. The attacks reportedly caused scores of civilian casualties in six regions of Ukraine and have massively disrupted essential services at the height of winter.

In Ukraine, the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs reports that attacks have continued in the country today, while since yesterday morning, humanitarian organizations have been providing emergency assistance to civilians affected by the latest attacks in the Kharkiv and Dnipro regions.

The International Organization for Migration (IOM) today launched their Global Annual Appeal for 2024. They called for $7.9 billion to support their operations and help create a system that realizes migration’s promise as a force for good throughout the world.

The Commissioner General of United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) reports that makeshift structures of plastic sheeting have mushroomed everywhere around Rafah, in the Gaza Strip, as people are displaced by the hostilities.