Briefing by Tom Fletcher, Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), on the situation in the Middle East.
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Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs Tom Fletcher, briefing the Security Council, said Syria remains “by any metric one of the largest humanitarian emergencies globally,” with over 70 per cent of the population in need, 9 million people acutely food insecure, and millions displaced inside and outside the country.
He noted progress in aid delivery, highlighting “a more collaborative engagement with the authorities” that has allowed the UN to reach some communities for the first time in years. On average, nearly 3.5 million people are now receiving assistance each month, including food for 1 million, subsidized bread for 2 million, medical care for 2 million, and immunizations for 1.7 million children. UNICEF, WHO and partners are rehabilitating hospitals and water systems, while WFP and FAO support agriculture and bread production.
Yet, Fletcher warned that “we risk missing a rare opportunity for the people of Syria.” The humanitarian appeal is only 18 per cent funded, forcing cuts to hospitals, safe spaces, and essential programmes, with women and girls bearing the heaviest risks. Without more support, he cautioned, refugee returns and recovery efforts will falter, especially with winter approaching.
He concluded with three key asks: “First, preserve stability to prevent renewed violence. Second, fund the humanitarian response to save more lives. Third, enable Syrian-led recovery by translating pledges into concrete investment, rebuilding homes and services, and creating livelihoods.”
Informal comments to the media by Amir Saeid Iravani, Permanent Representative of Iran (Islamic Republic of Iran) to the United Nations, on Iran’s Non-Proliferation issue.
Noon Briefing by Stéphane Dujarric, Spokesperson for the Secretary-General.
Highlights:
– UN80 Report
– UN@80
– Occupied Palestinian Territory
– Allenby Bridge
– Lebanon/Israel
– Sudan
– South Sudan
– Haiti
– Democratic Republic of The Congo
– International Days
UN80 REPORT
Yesterday afternoon, the Secretary-General shared with Member States another report linked to the UN80 initiative. This one was prepared under the third workstream and is about structural reforms and programme realignments. The report outlines proposals for changes in the Organization’s structure, in the way UN entities collaborate and operate.
The UN80 process, and the proposals included in this new report, aim to strengthen how we deliver across all three pillars of our work – peace and security, sustainable development and of course, human rights.
The report was issued ahead of the High-Level Week to inform deliberations between Member States on ways to strengthen the UN system. The Secretary-General will formally present the report to Member States in October – after high-level week.
OCCUPIED PALESTINIAN TERRITORY
The Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reports that ongoing strikes and ground operations continue to exact a heavy toll on battered and exhausted civilians. As the offensive on Gaza city intensifies, the influx of newly displaced people arriving in the south is putting even more stress on already overstretched services, as space in southern Gaza continues to shrink due to overcrowding.
OCHA reports that people are arriving deep into the night, many of them walking for long hours without food, without water and without shelter. The coastal Al Rashid Road remains extremely congested as vehicles, donkey carts, tuk-tuks and people on foot make their way south amid the escalating attacks. Despite the announcement by the Israeli authorities to allow Salah Ad Din Road to be used by people fleeing south, partners report that the road is impassable for travel by vehicles, as the route requires repairs.
Today, Israeli authorities also announced that the 48-hour window to use the road is now closed, making Al Rashid the only passage available for civilians who want to leave north.
The UN and its partners continue to respond wherever and whenever way is possible, despite extremely challenging circumstances and the ongoing insecurity. Yesterday, an interagency mission led by our OCHA colleagues carried out an assessment in multiple areas of Khan Younis where people displaced from the north have recently arrived. The assessment noted high levels of need among the displaced families, especially for shelter, for food, for water, for medical care and for every essential part of survival.
OCHA reiterates that the volumes of supplies entering Gaza remain below the threshold necessary to address people’s deepening needs. Furthermore, humanitarians require conditions on the ground to enable them to reach the most vulnerable people with assistance safely, rapidly and consistently.
The looting of supplies remains a critical obstacle preventing the UN and its partners from being able to deliver aid at scale, including by using community-based mechanisms, which have been proved successful in the past. In a statement today, the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) said that yesterday, four trucks full of ready-to-use therapeutic food were stolen at gunpoint in Gaza city.
SUDAN
The Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Sudan, Denise Brown, said noted that the attack that today struck a mosque near the Abu Shouk camp in in El Fasher claimed the lives of dozens of civilians who were worshipping there, reminding us that international humanitarian law demands the protection of religious sites and those civilians who worship there.
She called for an investigation and for the perpetrators to be held to account.
This ongoing siege of El Fasher has already created a severe humanitarian crisis, cutting off food, medicine and other life-saving support. The UN reiterates its calls for an immediate cessation of fire in and around El Fasher.
Humanitarian access of personnel and supplies must be facilitated in order for us to reach those in need.
And just to note that a report issued by our human rights colleagues in Geneva today showed that the conflict-driven crisis in Sudan intensified in the first half of the year, with a significant rise in civilian killings, including summary executions, amid growing ethnic violence and a worsening humanitarian situation.
The report calls on states to use their influence to end this conflict.
Full Highlights: https://www.un.org/sg/en/content/noon-briefing-highlight?date%5Bvalue%5D%5Bdate%5D=19%20September%202025
How does one out of five sisters from rural Nigeria grow up to be UN Deputy Secretary-General?
Blessed with tenacity, determination and grit, Amina Mohammed has always been driven to improve the lives of her fellow human beings and our planet. Rising to the top of the United Nations, her vision has helped shape the world’s blueprint for a brighter future.
“One step at a time, this whole life is about a journey. Make each step count. It is about taking people with you. Don’t do this alone. It’s too heavy. You need people to cry with you, laugh with you.”
Amina Mohammed is known for making the impossible possible, and has relied on a strong moral compass and the strength of her convictions across a long and varied career of service. In this episode, the UN Deputy Secretary-General and mother-of-six and grandmother to five reflects on what the Sustainable Development Goals have meant in her own life and shares what chocolate and traditional clothes have to do with strong leadership.
United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres speaks with UN News in the lead-up to the 80th General Assembly High-level week.
Mr. Guterres warns of rising global crises—conflict, climate change and unregulated technology—and urges world leaders to commit to reform of the international financial system. He also stresses the importance of reaffirming multilateralism, supporting refugees, defending gender equality and empowering youth.
Interview by Melissa Fleming, Under-Secretary-General for Global Communications.
How does one out of five sisters from rural Nigeria grow up to be UN Deputy Secretary-General?
Blessed with tenacity, determination and grit, Amina Mohammed has always been driven to improve the lives of her fellow human beings and our planet. Rising to the top of the United Nations, her vision has helped shape the world’s blueprint for a brighter future.
“One step at a time, this whole life is about a journey. Make each step count. It is about taking people with you. Don’t do this alone. It’s too heavy. You need people to cry with you, laugh with you.”
Amina Mohammed is known for making the impossible possible, and has relied on a strong moral compass and the strength of her convictions across a long and varied career of service. In this episode, the UN Deputy Secretary-General and mother-of-six and grandmother to five reflects on what the Sustainable Development Goals have meant in her own life and shares what chocolate and traditional clothes have to do with strong leadership.
[00:00] Introduction
[01:04] What keeps Amina awake at night
[04:14] Behind the blueprint of the SDGs
[06:19] Turning life experiences into a vision for the SDGs
[11:33] Growing up in the best of two worlds
[15:30] From architecture to public institutions
[16:56] Balancing family and career
[18:36] Rights and justice
[22:11] Entering public service
[24:40] Reframing environmental issues as drivers of conflict
[27:18] Amina’s personal mantra for resilience and moving forward
[28:45] Advice to her younger self
[30:12] Not holding back
[33:00] Comfort in chocolate
[34:06] Wearing her culture proudly
[35:53] A message to the overwhelmed
[39:04] The work is not done yet
[40:08] Closing remarks
Listen to more Awake at Night episodes: https://music.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLwoDFQJEq_0b6hu1e8oxsch9W0D7vkNqt
About Awake at Night
Hosted by Melissa Fleming, UN Under-Secretary-General for Global Communications, the podcast ‘Awake at Night’ is an in-depth interview series focusing on remarkable United Nations staff members who dedicate their career to helping people in parts of the world where they have the hardest lives – from war zones and displacement camps to areas hit by disasters and the devastation of climate change.
Briefing by Mr. Geir Pedersen, the Special Envoy of the Secretary-General for Syria, on the situation on the Middle East.
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The UN Special Envoy for Syria briefed the Security Council, stressing that the country’s fragile transition faces immense challenges but also opportunities. He said the interim authorities in Damascus “have inherited not just the ruins of shattered buildings, but the deeper wreckage of a battered social fabric, decayed institutions, and a hollowed-out economy.” Urgent international assistance, private sector revival, sanctions relief, and political stability are needed to move forward.
He warned against continued external interference, citing recent Israeli strikes, calling them “unacceptable and must stop,” and urged respect for Syria’s “sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity.”
On Sweida, he welcomed the 18 July ceasefire and the 16 September roadmap, which includes measures on accountability, humanitarian and commercial access, reconstruction, and reconciliation. However, he cautioned that “solutions must safeguard Syria’s unity and territorial integrity while addressing the legitimate fears of the Druze community.”
Turning to the northeast, he noted that channels remain open between the interim authorities and the Syrian Democratic Forces, saying “this will require bold moves and genuine compromise” on military integration, security reform, and disarmament. He also urged Member States to “heighten engagement on repatriation of their nationals in Al-Hol.”
Looking ahead, he underlined the importance of an inclusive interim legislature, stressing that “transparency, women’s participation, and the representation of all communities will be essential to confer legitimacy.”
Concluding, he warned that mishandling the transition could lead to gridlock and renewed conflict, but added: “If the challenges are well handled, and met with genuine negotiation and bold compromise, unity is within reach, and success against the odds is possible.”
"Peace is not a line we cross.
It is a choice we make.
Peace is not found, it is built."
Ahead of this week’s #PeaceDay, we join UN Global Advocate for Peace Maryam Bukar Hassan in calling on everyone, everywhere, to stand for peace. Watch and get inspired by the powerful message of hope the Nigerian artist and poet delivers in her spoken word piece ‘Peace is a Verb’.
#PeaceBegins with me, you, and all of us.
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Written & Performed: Maryam Bukar Hassan
Produced, Directed & Edited by: Stephanie Lemesianou
Assisted by: Rebecca Moudio, Sara Qamar, Shruti Satish, Tengjiao Wang
Live Performance: SummerStage Festival, Central Park NYC
Noon Briefing by Stéphane Dujarric, Spokesperson for the Secretary-General.
Highlights:
Syria
Occupied Palestinian Territory
Pakistan
Haiti
Water
Equal Pay Day
SYRIA
This morning, the UN Special Envoy for Syria, Geir Pedersen, briefed the Security Council on the latest developments in that country. He said that the Syrian interim authorities and the Syrian people are attempting a transition in the face of numerous challenges.
Mr. Pedersen warned that if these challenges are mishandled, the consequences could be dire. He called on the international community to support Syria and to stand against foreign intervention.
For his part, Tom Fletcher, our Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs, said that more than 70 per cent of the population in Syria needs some form of humanitarian assistance, while 7 million people are internally displaced, and more than 4 million are refugees in neighbouring countries.
He called on donors to give and to give generously to our various programmes.
The humanitarian appeal for Syria for this year is only 18% funded, which means that we can only reach a fraction of those that we need to reach.
PAKISTAN
The Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs sayd that humanitarian needs persist following this year’s monsoon floods.
Since the end of June, nearly seven million people have been affected in the country. Nearly three million people have been evacuated, with 150,000 people sheltering in 1,580 evacuation centres set up by various authorities.
We and our humanitarian partners continue to support the Government-led response. To date, UNICEF has provided more than two metric tonnes of essential medicine to the north in the capital of Punjab’s province, Lahore, and over two metric tonnes to the south, in the city of Multan. These medicines are being distributed to local health clinics.
UNICEF has also provided nutrition supplies and safe drinking water, relocated school materials, and established temporary learning centres.
WFP [World Food Programme], for its part, is delivering food, nutrition services, cash assistance and logistics support across Punjab and Sindh.
As people begin to return to their homes, additional funding is needed to provide assistance and rehabilitate basic infrastructure.
We have already released $5 million from the Central Emergency Response Fund, with an additional $1.5 million channeled to local NGOs from the Asia Pacific Humanitarian Fund.
HAITI
Another humanitarian update on the grim situation in Haiti, our humanitarian colleagues tell us that last week’s deadly attack in the commune of Cabaret, in the West [department], forced thousands of people to flee their homes.
You will recall the Secretary-General’s statement over the weekend, in which he strongly condemned the reported killing of at least 40 people, including women, children and the elderly in that attack.
According to the IOM [International Organization for Migration], the attacks drove more than 4,700 people from their homes. More than two thirds of them sought refuge in the nearby commune of Arcahaie. While the majority of the displaced are being hosted by families, 23 percent of them have taken shelter in four schools.
These attacks underscore once again the worsening security and humanitarian situation in Haiti.
These attacks also come less than a month before the start of the new school year, further deepening the education crisis as several schools already under strain are being used as displacement sites, which is of course disrupting the lives of both students and teachers.
Forced displacements, destruction and attacks against people are driving up humanitarian needs, compounding existing crises in health, nutrition and education.
OCHA is coordinating the response to ensure that assistance reaches the most vulnerable, despite extremely challenging conditions.
Just to remind you, the humanitarian response in Haiti remains severely underfunded, with only [13] per cent of the $908 million needed in the bank.
Full Highlights: https://www.un.org/sg/en/content/noon-briefing-highlight
