Weekly
highlights
Every week, we publish new highlights on recent humanitarian developments to enable crisis responders to prioritise based on the needs of affected populations.
18/03/2025
Palestine
Since 18 March 2025, Israeli air strikes and bombardments in Gaza have intensified, breaking the ceasefire and resulting in over 400 deaths and at least 560 injuries. The escalation has triggered new displacement, with thousands seeking refuge in overcrowded shelters. Critical infrastructure targeted during the recent Israeli attacks include a school in Gaza city, an IDP site in Al Mawasi, and IDP tents in Rafah. The intensification of Israeli attacks follows the Israeli authorities’ decision to halt the entry of humanitarian aid and commercial supplies into Gaza from 2 March 2025. The blockade has severely disrupted the humanitarian response, further worsening already severe humanitarian conditions. Urgent needs include medical supplies, food, tents, and fuel for hospitals and water stations, as well as repairs to critical infrastructure, such as health facilities, to prevent the further deterioration of critical services. (CARE 18/03/2025, OCHA 18/03/2025, AJ 18/03/2025)
18/03/2025
South Sudan
Since mid-February 2025, escalating violence in Upper Nile state between national forces and the White Army has triggered large-scale displacement. In Nasir town alone, approximately 50,000 people have been newly displaced, with an additional 34,000 displaced in Ulang county. By 10 March, over 10,000 individuals had crossed into Ethiopia’s Gambela region. The situation worsened on 16 March when an aerial bombardment in Nasir county killed at least 21 civilians, including two women and two children. Humanitarian operations have been significantly disrupted, with nearly 23 aid workers relocated. The cholera treatment unit in Nasir county has closed, aggravating cholera outbreaks in Baliet, Nasir, and Ulang counties, with 840 cases reported by 19 March. Protection needs are mounting, particularly for women and children, who face heightened risks of violence, exploitation, and family separation as the conflict intensifies. Humanitarian needs are expected to continue rising as the conflict persists. (OCHA/UN RC/HC South Sudan 18/03/2025, Radio Tamazuj 17/03/2025, Radio Tamazuj 15/03/2025)
17/03/2025
Burkina Faso
The conflict in Burkina Faso continues to expose civilians to the serious protection risks posed by the various conflict parties, including non-state armed groups, the Burkinabé security and defence forces, and their auxiliaries, the Volontaires pour la défense de la patrie (VDP). In early March, an attack attributed to the VDP in Solenzo (Boucle du Mouhoun) killed dozens of civilians, mostly from the Fulani community, which they accuse of supporting non-state armed groups. These non-state armed groups continue to target civilians, blockading cities for months or even years. This further limits access to food and basic services. Multiple displacement, family separation, psychosocial distress, school dropouts, and children’s forced recruitment in armed groups heighten protection needs for the affected people. As the conflict enters its ninth year, humanitarian needs persist amid increasing attacks on civilians and human rights violations by the conflict parties. (HRW 14/03/2025, GCR2P 14/03/2025, UNICEF 22/02/2025)