Upon arrival, he went straight to Malakal in Upper Nile State, where he met with local communities, their leaders and returnees. He heard firsthand about their needs and the challenges they face during the ongoing war in neighboring Sudan.
Increase awareness
Mr Fletcher will travel to Jonglei, where a recent flare-up of conflict has further intensified humanitarian needs, displacing around 280,000 people, according to authorities.
He will also use the five-day mission to South Sudan to draw international attention to the deteriorating humanitarian situation.
“During the visit, the humanitarian chief will meet local aid workers on the front lines,” UN spokesman Stéphane Dujarric said during his regular briefing in New York.
“He will advocate for the protection of civilians and humanitarian workers, reiterate our urgent calls to support the humanitarian response and call for coordinated efforts to address the root causes of the crisis.”
UN news
People navigate a makeshift refugee camp in Gaza.
Gaza: Fire risks increase in bomb shelters
Humanitarians continue to emphasize the need for adequate housing solutions in Gaza, where displaced Palestinian families continue to live in overcrowded shelters, posing serious fire and health risks.
“Families cook, sleep and store their belongings in small spaces where they also use open flames,” says the UN Aid Coordination Office OCHAsaidnoting that partners have recorded at least 12 shelter fires since November.
Over a 10-day period this month, humanitarian workers provided shelter to 85 families in Deir al-Balah and Khan Younis whose shelters were damaged by a fire in Gaza City.
Aid missions blocked
Meanwhile, humanitarian movements in many areas within the Gaza Strip still require coordination with Israeli authorities.
OCHA said that of 67 movements coordinated between February 12 and 19, 43 were approved and nine were denied outright.
Eight missions were approved but faced obstacles, although six were fully accomplished, while organizers canceled seven others for operational or safety reasons. [Were these among the 43 above? If so, how about “Eight of the approved missions faced…”]
Humanitarian partners coordinated the arrival of fuel, medical supplies, animal feed and hygiene kits, the agency said.
Teams also facilitated the medical evacuation of patients through two border crossings: the Rafah corridor with Egypt and Kerem Shalom/Karem Abu Salem with Israel.
West Bank: Guterres calls for investigation into killing of Palestinian-American man
UN Secretary General António Guterres condemned the killing of a Palestinian-American man in the West Bank this week.
Nasrallah Abu Siam, 19, was shot and beaten during an attack by Israeli settlers in the village of Mukhmas on Wednesday and succumbed to his wounds later that day.
Three other Palestinians were shot and injured in the same attack.
“The Secretary-General extends his sincere condolences to the family and loved ones of the victim,” said UN spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric. said in New York.
He noted that the family also includes journalist Abdelhamid Siam, a member of the press corps at the UN Headquarters, and extended his condolences to him and the entire family.
The Secretary-General called for a swift, thorough and transparent investigation into the circumstances of the incident and for those responsible to be held accountable.
He also urged the Government of Israel to take concrete steps to halt and prevent all acts of violence by Israeli settlers against the Palestinian people, in accordance with its obligations as an occupying power.
The violence and attacks continue
Humanitarians warned of continued violence and other coercive practices by Israeli forces and settler communities in the West Bank, which have resulted in casualties, property destruction and forced displacement.
Between February 3 and 16, Israeli forces killed three Palestinians, the UN Aid Coordination Agency OCHA reported. This brings the total number this year to nine, including two children.
Palestinian forces also killed a Palestinian boy in Tammoun as he tried to arrest his father.
“During the same period, at least 86 attacks by Israeli settlers were recorded, injuring more than 60 Palestinians and displacing around 146 people,” OCHA said. People in 60 communities were also affected by the attacks.
Since January 2023, approximately 880 Palestinian families – more than 4,700 people – have been displaced in the West Bank due to settler attacks and access restrictions.
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