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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.
19/02/2025
Syria
Since early December 2024, clashes in Menbij district in Aleppo governorate have been damaging the Tishreen Dam, rendering it non-operational. This has severely limited access to clean water and electricity for approximately 413,000 residents in Menbij and Kobani districts since 10 December. The dam and surrounding areas became a conflict hotspot after the Turkish-backed Syrian National Army initiated Operation Dawn of Freedom in early December, aiming to seize the area and the dam from the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces given its economic and strategic significance. Following the recent conflict escalation between the two groups, people in Menbij are experiencing limited access to basic services and essential goods, such as fuel, bread, and flour. Urgent needs also include the repair of the dam, as the risk of structural failure could cause catastrophic flooding that would affect over 40 downstream villages, especially if the dam sustains further attacks. (OCHA 12/02/2025, TNA 21/01/2025, CNN 13/12/2024)
18/02/2025
Namibia
Between 2022–2024, a total of 94 malnutrition-related deaths were reported in Ohangwena region. The country's authorities declared a drought in 2024, which has since been aggravating food insecurity and malnutrition nationwide. That year alone saw 18 malnutrition-related deaths (14 children and 4 adults). Overall, malnutrition affected 22.2% of the population in 2024, with 6.2% of children under five years of age suffering from acute malnutrition, indicating severe undernutrition, and 14.5% suffering from chronic malnutrition. From October 2024 to March 2025, an estimated 1.26 million people (41% of the analysed population) are projected to experience acute food insecurity – i.e. Crisis (IPC Phase 3) or worse levels – including 100,000 facing Emergency (IPC Phase 4) conditions. With the continuing drought and decreasing food availability because of poor harvests in the 2024–2025 agricultural season, the incidence of malnutrition and related risk of starvation may increase. (The Namibian 12/02/2025, GHI accessed 19/02/2025, IPC 06/09/2024)
17/02/2025
Colombia
Since January 2025, people living in Chocó department, western Colombia, have been facing increasing insecurity owing to non-state armed group activity. These include attacks on civilians, clashes among armed groups, and movement restrictions and confinements. Since the beginning of February, fighting between armed groups in southern Chocó has displaced around 5,000 individuals. In mid-February, the armed group National Liberation Army (ELN) announced an armed strike in the department, ordering the population to remain indoors. The strike has been affecting around 430,000 people. Coupled with the increasing insecurity, the armed strike is hampering people's access to services and assistance. Communities urgently need food, health services, and protection. (OCHA accessed 19/02/2025, Caracol Radio 18/02/2025, El Colombiano 17/02/2025)
Global analysis
Situation by country
We provide live updates of countries with existing humanitarian crises or prone to disasters.