Category: MIL-OSI

Source: United Nations (video statements)

Noon Briefing by Stéphane Dujarric, Spokesperson for the Secretary-General.

Highlights:

– Secretary-General/Türkiye
– Middle East/Humanitarian
– Iran
– Lebanon/Humanitarian
– Lebanon
– Occupied Palestinian Territory
– Sudan
– Democratic Republic of the Congo
– Financial Contribution
– Briefing Tomorrow

MIDDLE EAST/HUMANITARIAN

Turning to the situation in the Middle East, our humanitarian colleagues remind us that the region is home to some of the largest numbers of people in need of humanitarian assistance globally. The recent escalation risks deepening civilian suffering and causing further damage to already fragile civilian infrastructure.

According to UNHCR, more than 4.1 million people have been internally displaced in Afghanistan, Iran, Lebanon and Pakistan since the beginning of the escalation. Additionally, some 117,000 people have sought refuge in another country. It’s important to note these numbers are based on data provided to us by authorities.

We and our humanitarian partners are continuing to provide humanitarian aid to people impacted across several countries and remain ready to ramp up our response in support of national authorities where needed.

IRAN

And just on Iran alone, our colleagues at UNHCR are telling us that between 600,000 and 1 million Iranian households are now temporarily displaced inside their country as a result of the ongoing conflict.

This is a preliminary assessments, and that adds up to about 3.2 million people.

UNHCR says that most of them are reportedly fleeing from Tehran and other major urban areas towards the north of the country and rural areas to seek safety.

They say this figure is likely to continue to rise as hostilities persist, adding that, as you can imagine, it will just add another level of humanitarian needs.

Also affected are refugee families hosted in Iran. Most of them are Afghans, who are particularly vulnerable, given their already precarious situation and limited support networks.

UNHCR is adapting its response to these growing needs, working with national authorities and partners to assess emerging needs and strengthening preparedness as population movement increases.

We join them in emphasizing the urgent need to protect civilians, to maintain humanitarian access, and ensure that borders remain open to those seeking safety, in line with country’s international obligations.

Full Highlights: https://www.un.org/sg/en/content/noon-briefing-highlight?date=2026-03-12

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ShtekNQy9T0

Source: United Nations (video statements)

The Head of United Nations Peace Operations, Jean-Pierre Lacroix, for his part said both Hizbullah and the Israeli government are in violation of Council resolution 1701 and noted that peacekeepers with the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) “have remained in position in line with the mandate this Council has provided, while continuously reassessing the force’s posture against prevailing risk.”

Lacroix said, “many rockets have been launched from south of the Litani River, which demonstrates the presence of unauthorised armed personnel, assets and weapons south of the Litani River,” while the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) “have issued displacement orders for the entire UNIFIL area of operations and intensified daily strikes, impacting multiple locations in the UNIFIL area of operations.”

He said, “UNIFIL continues to maintain constant contact with the parties to avoid misunderstandings, de-conflict and de-escalate where possible.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=73cJkkDN3VU

Source: United Nations (video statements)

Last month, UN DESA launched the World Youth Report on Youth Mental Health and Well-being, highlighting the urgent need for inclusive, youth-informed mental health policies. Another report is now underway, this time homing in on the latest youth population trends, helping policymakers use population foresight to address the needs of young people everywhere and to ensure that demographic change supports equitable and sustainable development.

Read more: https://desapublications.un.org/un-desa-voice/feature/march-2026/youth-spotlight-un-desa-examines-mental-health-and-population

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IksS5EMJbKc