Briefing by Tom Fletcher, Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, on the safety and security of humanitarian personnel and the protection of United Nations and associated personnel.
Addressing the Security Council Fletcher reported that in 2025, at least 326 humanitarians were recorded as killed across 21 countries, bringing the total number of humanitarians killed in three years to over 1,010.
According to the Emergency Relief Coordinator, of those over 1000 deaths, more than 560 were in Gaza and the West Bank, 130 in Sudan, 60 in South Sudan, 25 in Ukraine and 25 in DRC.
“That number compares to 377 recorded as killed globally over the previous three years. Almost tripling the death count. This is not an accidental escalation – it is the collapse of protection”.
Fletcher stressed, “These humanitarians were killed while distributing food, water, shelter and medicine. They died in clearly marked convoys and on missions coordinated directly with authorities. And too often, they were killed by member states of the United Nations.”
He continued, “Humanitarians know we face risks. It is the nature of our work, the places we operate. These deaths are not because we are reckless with our lives. They are because parties to the conflict are reckless with our lives. So, on behalf of over a thousand dead humanitarians and their families, we ask why.”
Fletcher said, “I normally conclude with three asks of this Council. But it seems insulting to over one thousand colleagues killed to echo back to you the commitments of SCR 2730: protection, integrity, accountability. We come here not to remind you of these commitments, but to challenge you to uphold them. Because if we cast these hard-won principles aside, the integrity of this Council, and the laws we are here to protect – die with our colleagues.”
Noon briefing by Farhan Haq, Deputy Spokesperson for the Secretary-General.
Highlights:
Middle East
Iran
Lebanon
Lebanon/Humanitarian
Occupied Palestinian Territory
Security Council
Ukraine
South Sudan
Democratic Republic of the Congo
Central African Republic
Mali
Noon Briefing Guest
MIDDLE EAST
In a statement issued late last night, the Secretary-General welcomed the announcement of a two-week ceasefire by the United States and Iran. He calls on all the parties to the current conflict in the Middle East to comply with their obligations under international law and to abide by the terms of the ceasefire in order to pave the way toward a lasting and comprehensive peace in the region.
The Secretary-General underscores that an end to hostilities is urgently needed to protect civilian lives and alleviate human suffering. He expresses sincere appreciation for the efforts of Pakistan and other countries involved in facilitating the ceasefire.
And today, we can confirm that the Secretary-General’s Personal Envoy for the Middle East Conflict and its Consequences, Jean Arnault, has arrived in Iran. Acting on the Secretary-General’s instructions, he is visiting countries across the region to support all efforts aimed at achieving a comprehensive and durable resolution to the conflict.
During his visit, Mr. Arnault will engage with Iranian interlocutors to hear their perspective on the way forward and will reiterate the Secretary-General’s commitment to making every effort to support a peaceful settlement.
The Personal Envoy trusts that, in line with the Charter of the United Nations and international humanitarian law, all leaders will choose the path of peaceful resolution and the protection of civilians over a continued conflict.
IRAN
The Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) says that it hopes the ceasefire will bring some much-needed respite to people, including front-line responders, across the region, following six weeks of intense hostilities.
The hostilities have claimed many lives and caused devastating damage to civilian infrastructure, including electricity, water, energy and transportation facilities.
In Iran, the UN and our partners, in coordination with the authorities, continue to scale-up our response to help refugees and others in the areas of health, water and sanitation, food, and shelter.
Priority needs include restoring basic services, protecting vulnerable groups, rehabilitating shelters and schools, and providing critical supplies.
LEBANON
The United Nations strongly condemns the strikes by Israel across Lebanon that resulted in significant civilian casualties.
The UN strongly condemns the loss of civilian lives. The UN continues to call on all sides to avail themselves of diplomatic channels, cease hostilities and recommit to the full implementation of Security Council resolution 1701.
The ceasefire between the US and Iran offers an opportunity to prevent further loss of lives between Lebanon and Israel. The UN urges all concerned to abide by the ceasefire.
Now is the time to pursue talks to resolve outstanding differences and work towards a permanent ceasefire and a long-term solution to the conflict. There is no military solution to the conflict.
Meanwhile, UN peacekeepers continue to be impacted by hostilities. Yesterday the impact from an exchange of rocket and artillery fire near At Tiri in Sector West resulted in injuries to six peacekeepers, including one shrapnel wound and five cases of acoustic trauma, as well as damage to UN vehicles.
The UN again urges all actors to uphold their obligations under international law and to ensure the safety and security of UN personnel and property at all times.
Yesterday, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) detained a UNIFIL peacekeeper after blocking a logistics convoy. Following direct and immediate contacts by UNIFIL’s Head of Mission and Force Commander and our Liaison Branch, the peacekeeper was released in less than an hour.
Such detention of a United Nations peacekeeper is a violation of international law. The UN stressesagain that any intimidation or interference in the Mission’s Security Council-mandated tasks must stop immediately.
Full Highlights: https://www.un.org/sg/en/content/noon-briefing-highlight?date=2026-04-08
In 2025, at least 326 humanitarians were recorded as killed across 21 countries, bringing the total number of humanitarians killed in three years to over 1,010. Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator Tom Fletcher urged the UN Security Council today to ‘act with much greater conviction, consistency and courage’ in the protection of humanitarian workers.
Normally, a fifth of global gas and oil trade passes through this chokepoint. That’s 20 million barrels of oil a day.
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Our video primer reveals all – from the critical importance of the Strait of Hormuz to oil, gas and commodities trades, to how long the economic disruption could potentially last.
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From 14 to 16 April 2026, young people will take center stage at the United Nations Headquarters in New York during the ECOSOC Youth Forum, considered the UN’s largest annual gathering of young people.
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