Today's top news: Occupied Palestinian Territory, Ukraine, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Mozambique
UNOCHA - United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs
Occupied Palestinian Territory
Gaza: hunger, healthcare collapse and unrelenting war bring indescribable hardships for civilians
OCHA reports that civilians continue to be killed and injured and are facing mounting challenges amid ongoing hostilities, displacement and further destruction.
As strikes continue across Gaza, people report that even the most basic daily tasks - such as finding water or food - have become impossible.
The devastating convergence of a hunger crisis, a collapsing healthcare system, widespread destruction of critical infrastructure and nearly two years of war is having a catastrophic toll on people, particularly on the most vulnerable.
Aid entering into Gaza remains far below the minimum required to meet people's immense needs. The UN and its humanitarian partners continue to do everything possible to bring assistance inside Gaza.
However, missions continue to face significant delays and other impediments that prevent the UN from delivering aid at scale. Yesterday, another mission to pick up supplies took 18 hours to complete.
Since the entry of some commercial trucks into Gaza in the past few days, partners reported a minor reduction in commodities prices as of yesterday. Most food items remain scarce in the market and sold at exorbitant prices.
Airdrops landing in different parts of Gaza continue to reportedly kill and injure people, including at least one child that was reportedly killed yesterday in Khan Younis.
OCHA welcomes all efforts to provide aid to the people in Gaza who desperately need it, but reiterates that the most efficient way to bring in supplies is by road. It is imperative that aid is allowed to enter through all crossings and via all available corridors so that the UN and its partners can deliver it at scale in a safe and dignified manner through their community-based mechanisms, reaching the most vulnerable.
Meanwhile, a severe heatwave is sweeping the region as people continue to struggle with access to water. In the southern part of the Strip, partners working on water, sanitation and hygiene reported that yesterday, the South Gaza Desalination Plant's electricity line was damaged for the third time in the past seven days. As a result, the plant is currently operating at less than 14 per cent of its capacity.
OCHA continues to stress the urgency of a permanent ceasefire, to provide adequate assistance and aid to the desperate population in Gaza and to call for the immediate and unconditional release of hostages.
Ukraine
Deadly attacks continue to inflict heavy toll on civilians across the country
OCHA says that civilians have been killed and injured in hostilities this week across Ukraine.
According to authorities, dozens of civilians were killed and more than 200 others were injured. The regions of Mylolaiv, Kherson, Kharkiv and Zaporizhzhia were the most impacted.
Hundreds of residential buildings were also damaged or destroyed in the attacks. A railway and road bridge also sustained damages.
According to authorities, more than 6,000 people fled from front-line areas in Donetsk Region this week — a five-fold increase in evacuations over the past two weeks. The national NGO Mission Proliska said this includes many people with disabilities.
Despite intense hostilities, humanitarian organizations continue to assist residents evacuating from high-risk areas, including the Korabel district in Kherson City where an attack on August 2nd severely damaged a bridge. Evacuation support includes municipal and volunteer transport, mobile hospitals, and collective centres providing shelter, food, hygiene items, and medical assistance.
Civilians continue to be evacuated in the Kharkiv region. During his visit there yesterday, Humanitarian Coordinator Matthias Schmale commended the remarkable courage of those assisting people who evacuated from hard-hit areas such as Kupiansk, supporting them at transit centres, including in Kharkiv, and helping them relocate to safer areas.
Democratic Republic of the Congo
Surge of violence in the east triggers new displacement
OCHA reports an uptick in armed clashes in North Kivu, South Kivu and Ituri provinces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
In North Kivu province, since 13 July, around 44,000 people fled fighting between armed groups in the Masisi area. At least eight civilians were reported killed during the hostilities.
In Ituri province, in just one month - between 6 July and 6 August - at least 70 civilians were killed in attacks and clashes involving Allied Democratic Forces and other armed groups.
More than 30,000 people had to flee their homes, according to local authorities.
Many humanitarian partners have suspended operations amid ongoing insecurity, affecting more than 250,000 people. OCHA is coordinating with its partners to maintain a minimal humanitarian presence in accessible zones.
Meanwhile, in the province of South Kivu, violence in Uvira, Walungu and Kalehe territories continues to trigger new displacements, according to partners.
On 1 August, at least 35 women and girls were abducted and raped by armed groups in three villages in Uvira territory, as reported by local authorities and medical sources.
The recent surge in violence comes as partners report widespread food insecurity, limited access to healthcare, inadequate shelter, and a lack of basic services affecting both displaced and host communities.
OCHA calls on all parties to respect international humanitarian law. Civilians are not a target, and all measures must be taken to protect them during conflict. Humanitarians need unimpeded and safe access to the thousands of people in need.
Mozambique
UN Central Emergency Response Fund releases $4 million to support the response in Cabo Delgado
Following the recent sharp surge in displacement in Cabo Delgado province, Mozambique, amid escalating violence, the UN Central Emergency Response Fund allocated US$4 million yesterday to support the response there.
The new funds will allow for a rapid scale-up of life-saving assistance for the most vulnerable displaced people, including food, shelter, and water, sanitation and hygiene services.
Between 20 July and 3 August, more than 57,000 people have been displaced in Cabo Delgado.
Posted on 8 August 2025
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