"WATER"

Displaced families and their host communities in the Middle East had already been struggling to cope with the economic crisis and devastating impact of COVID. Now, winter storms have only exacerbated the situation and increased hardships, according to the UN refugee agency (UNHCR). UNHCR

The Government of Tonga has asked the United Nations for urgent assistance, according to a spokesperson, who said the Resident Coordinator, Sanaka Samarasinha, has responded and remains in close contact with the Tongan authorities. UNIFEED

Briefing reporters on the situation in Tonga following a volcano eruption, a UN Spokesperson said that “about 84,000 people, that's more than 80 per cent of the population, have been impacted by the disaster with three confirmed fatalities to date, injuries have also been reported.” UNIFEED

Devastating impact of economic crisis and COVID-19 leaves Lebanese and Syrian families struggling to stay warm and stave off hunger as weather turns. UNHCR

Without prospect of end to occupation, Middle East region faces irreversible, dangerous collapse, Special Coordinator tells Security Council.

Without prospect of end to occupation, Middle East region faces irreversible, dangerous collapse, Special Coordinator tells Security Council.

The United Nations Resident Coordinator for the Pacific Islands Jonathan Veitch said all UN staff in Tonga is “accounted for” and “stepping up” efforts to coordinate the response to the Hunga Tonga volcano eruption and subsequent Tsunami. UNIFEED

People in Afghanistan are facing the winter season amid one of the world’s most rapidly growing humanitarian crises. Half of the population face acute hunger, over 9 million people are displaced, and the economy is in free fall. UNHCR

The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) said it was distributing winterization kits in different provinces of Afghanistan to vulnerable families with pregnant and lactating women, families with children with disabilities, female headed households, and others. The kits are part of UNICEF’s emergency response to keep vulnerable children, mothers and families protected during the harsh winter in Afghanistan. UNICEF