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	Bombing of Iran and retaliatory strikes a threat to international peace and security by UN News, ICRC, agencies   19 Mar. 2026   Civilians bear brunt of reckless war in the Middle East. (OHCHR)   Almost three weeks since the US-Israel strikes on Iran commenced, the conflict continues to spread, with its toll disproportionately impacting civilians across the Middle East region and beyond, UN Human Rights Chief Volker Turk said on Thursday. Attacks now appear to increasingly shift towards densely populated areas, as well as major gas and oil facilities, he warned.   “The human cost of this reckless war is alarming. Hostilities are being waged without regard to the immediate and long-term consequences for civilians across the entire region,” said Turk.   The targeting of major energy installations is now reaching a dangerous phase, amid threats of further escalation, he added.   “Attacks on energy infrastructure - including South Pars in Iran and Ras Laffan in Qatar – will only compound hardship. Disastrous humanitarian, economic and environmental consequences will be triggered if such attacks continue, resulting in deep harm to civilians – potentially for years to come,” said Turk.   “To pull the region back from the brink and prevent the further loss of civilian life and destruction of vital public infrastructure, renewed diplomatic efforts are critical.”   US and Israeli strikes have claimed the lives of people across Iran. Housing complexes, medical facilities, schools, shops, courthouses, UNESCO World Heritage sites and energy installations have been impacted by strikes. According to the Iranian Red Crescent, 67,414 civilian sites have been struck, of which 498 are schools and 236 health facilities.   In addition to the prevailing risk of harm, the cumulative impact of hostilities in Iran is contributing to disruptions in electricity supply, and shortages of essential goods from medicine to infant formula and fuel.   Israeli strikes continue to pound Lebanon, causing significant civilian casualties, extensive damage to civilian infrastructure and the displacement of over a million people.   Iranian strikes and Hezbollah rocket fire into Israel have also struck residential areas, causing further civilian casualties and damaging civilian objects.   Attacks targeting civilian objects or infrastructure indispensable to the civilian population constitute serious violations of international humanitarian law and amount to war crimes.   The law of war is clear: objects that provide services to the civilian population do not meet the strict definition of military objectives and are therefore civilian objects.   “All parties to this conflict are bound by their obligations – irrespective of the conduct of any other party - and must take all feasible measures to avoid harm to civilians and damage to civilian objects,” said Turk.   The High Commissioner also deplored the impact of the sustained Iranian strikes against States in the region. Strikes on Bahrain, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates have kept the region on high alert, instilling fear and anxiety among people.   In several of these States, Iranian drones and missiles are reported to have struck hotels, airports, diplomatic premises, ports, tankers, and energy facilities. They have also been intercepted over or near populated areas. Strikes and interceptions have reportedly caused deaths, injuries, damage to airports, ports, water and energy infrastructure, and disruption to civilian aviation and shipping.   Foreign nationals, including migrant workers from South Asia, are among those killed, including from falling debris and shrapnel. With many residing or working near strategic infrastructure, they face heightened risks of exposure, the High Commissioner said.   As the war escalates, the domestic situation in Iran continues to worsen with reports of continued repression, and waves of arrest by the authorities, amidst continued internet shutdowns. The situation of political prisoners is of grave concern with reports of limited access to food and risks of enforced disappearance and executions. Executions of four individuals have been reported, three of which are in relation to the January 2026 nation-wide protests.   In several countries across the region, civic space has been restricted and arrests have also been made on charges related to alleged espionage, treason, or sharing content related to hostilities.   “In times of war, the rule of law, due process and other human rights obligations continue to apply. The ugly reality of war is not a carte blanche to violate human rights,” the High Commissioner stressed.   http://www.ohchr.org/en/press-releases/2026/03/civilians-bear-brunt-reckless-war-middle-east-says-turk http://www.icrc.org/en/statement/icrc-president-war-on-essential-infrastructure-is-war-on-civilians http://www.unops.org/news-and-stories/speeches/millions-of-people-around-the-world-at-risk-over-three-weeks-on-the-war-in-the-middle-east http://www.unicef.org/press-releases/remarks-unicef-deputy-executive-director-ted-chaiban-un-secretary-general   Mar. 2026   Bombing of Iran and retaliatory strikes ‘a grave threat to international peace and security’: Guterres. (UN News)   UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and the heads of UN agencies have condemned Saturday’s joint Israeli and US military attacks on Iran and the Iranian retaliatory strikes on Israel and the Gulf Regions.   The large scale attack on Iran targeted military sites across the country as well as the leadership of the Iranian regime.   Iran launched a wave of missiles in response targeting Israeli cities as well as US bases in Iraq, Qatar, Bahrain, the UAE, and Saudi Arabia.   “Everything must be done” to prevent wider escalation of war across the Middle East following joint US-Israeli military strikes against Iran, and retaliatory action from Tehran targeting multiple countries in the region, the UN Secretary-General told the Security Council on Saturday.   Antonio Guterres described the day’s events as a grave threat to international peace and security, urging the international community to unite and pull the entire region “back from the brink”.   Mr. Guterres reminded the council that Article Two of the UN Charter states that all Member States “shall refrain in their international relations from the threat or use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any State,” and that international law and international humanitarian law must always be respected.   The military action that has embroiled countries across the Middle East, continued the UN chief, carries the risk of “igniting a chain of events that no one can control in the most volatile region of the world.”   The Secretary-General reiterated that lasting peace can only be achieved through peaceful means, including genuine dialogue and negotiations, and noted that the joint military operation by Israel and the United States occurred following indirect talks between the US and Iran mediated by Oman, “squandering” an opportunity for diplomacy.   Calling for de-escalation and an immediate cessation of hostilities, Mr. Guterres strongly urged all parties to return immediately to the negotiating table, notably on the future of Iran’s nuclear programme.   “I call on all Member States to strictly uphold their obligations under international law, including the UN Charter, to respect and protect civilians in accordance with international humanitarian law,” he said.   Annalena Baerbock, President of the UN General Assembly said, “The UN Charter is clear: all Member States must settle their international disputes by peaceful means in such a manner that international peace and security, and justice, are not endangered.”   Volker Turk, the High Commissioner for Human Rights said that bombs and missiles are not the way to resolve differences but “only result in death, destruction and human misery.” Civilians, he noted, “end up paying the ultimate price.” Mr. Turk called for all parties to return to negotiations in order to avoid a wider conflict that would mean further civilian deaths.   http://news.un.org/en/story/2026/02/1167059 http://www.unognewsroom.org/story/en/3035/un-geneva-press-briefing-06-march-2026 http://www.unognewsroom.org/story/en/3033/ohchr-media-stakeout-un-high-commissioner-for-human-rights-06-march-2026 http://www.unocha.org/news/un-relief-chief-warns-moment-grave-peril-humanitarian-crises-escalate-middle-east http://www.unognewsroom.org/all-stories   * Deadly bombing of Iran primary school ‘a grave violation of humanitarian law’.   “This weekend’s military escalation in the Middle East marks a dangerous moment for millions of children in the region. “UNICEF is deeply concerned by reports of strikes in Iran and across the region, illustrating the grave danger for children. There are reports of schools being struck in Iran, including a girls’ school in Minab in Hormozgan province in southern Iran. Over 100 primary school students have been reportedly killed and many others injured.   “UNICEF echoes the call of the Secretary-General for an immediate cessation of hostilities and de-escalation. UNICEF also urges all parties to exercise maximum restraint and uphold their obligations under international humanitarian and human rights law, including the protection of civilians and the essential services children rely on to survive. Targeting civilians and civilian objects, including schools, is a violation of international law.   * Multiple Iranian hospitals and medical centres are reported to have been damaged as a result of air attacks. World Health Organization Director General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said the reports are “extremely worrying”.   http://www.unicef.org/press-releases/unicef-statement-impact-military-escalation-children-middle-east http://news.un.org/en/story/2026/03/1167063 http://www.icrc.org/en/statement/icrc-president-urges-respect-rules-war-major-military-escalation-middle-east http://www.ohchr.org/en/press-releases/2026/02/turk-deplores-strikes-against-iran-and-retaliation http://www.unocha.org/news/un-relief-chief-middle-east-violences-humanitarian-fallout-increasingly-daunting   * Lebanon's Hezbollah militant group has launched rockets and drones at Israel. Israel retaliated by launching strikes against across Lebanon including on the capital city of Beirut. Oil tankers sailing near the Strait of Hormuz have been attacked, with hundreds of vessels now dropping anchor outside the narrow waterway between Iran and the Arabian Peninsula. Iran said it has closed navigation through the strait, used to transport a fifth of the world's oil exports and gas supplies. The European Gas price was up 40% after Qatar halted liquid gas production. Oil and gas prices are expected to rise as a result of the conflict adding to inflation and cost of living pressures around the world.   Escalation in the Middle East. (OCHA)   Civilians are paying the price across the region. Civilians must be protected. Yet strikes are hitting homes, hospitals, and schools. Civilians and civilian infrastructure have been under attack in Iran, Lebanon, Syria, the Occupied Palestinian Territory (OPT), Israel, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and beyond.   We are seeing knock on impacts on wider humanitarian needs. Afghanistan was already experiencing an escalation of hostilities with Pakistan, with more than 60,000 people being driven from their homes. Nearly 22 million people already need humanitarian support. Regional escalation could worsen an already severe food insecurity crisis, affecting more than 17 million people.   In Pakistan, the UN has faced attacks on one of our facilities. Major instability in Iran could trigger large-scale movements of people, particularly into Baluchistan province. Pakistan already hosts some 1.3 million registered refugees and has limited capacity to absorb more.   In the OPT, the escalation has had immediate operational consequences. Access restrictions have curbed the entry of life-saving supplies and constrained humanitarian operations. Kerem Shalom has now reopened for fuel and humanitarian supplies, but all other crossings, including Rafah, remain closed. Medical evacuations remain suspended, leaving more than 18,000 patients, including 4,000 children, with no access to the specialized care they need.   In the West Bank, Israeli forces have kept most of the checkpoints closed, severely curtailing the freedom of movement of Palestinians and impacting their ability to access services and livelihoods. They have also impacted the ability of our humanitarian partners to deliver life-saving help and conduct their operations.   In Lebanon, Israeli strikes in the South, Nabatiyeh, Beirut and the Bekaa have reportedly killed more than 50 people and injured over 150 others, causing significant destruction and large-scale displacement.   More than 60,000 people are sheltered in 330 collective sites, with many others outside the shelters or on the move. Displacement orders have so far been issued by the Israeli military for more than 100 towns and villages in the South and Bekaa.   In Yemen, further impacts may include fuel and commodity price volatility. Any escalation in conflict in Yemen or the Red Sea risks price spikes or shortages in essential goods that would exacerbate an already-deteriorating food security situation, especially in Houthi-held areas. All efforts need be undertaken to support the people of Yemen, and avoid damage to critical civilian infrastructure and further straining response services.   The shockwaves are hitting our ability to respond. Airspace closures are disrupting humanitarian operations. Gas flows into Syria have been interrupted. United Nations humanitarian flights in Yemen are grounded. If energy routes or maritime corridors such as the Straits of Hormuz continue to be disrupted, food prices will soar, health systems will be squeezed, and basic supplies will tighten in countries that rely on imports.   While global attention is absorbed by this crisis, other crises have of course not stopped. Sudan’s war has passed 1,000 days. Violence continues in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Attacks on Ukraine are intensifying.   There are deeper consequences for our work. Respect for international humanitarian law is being challenged and eroded again. Each time civilian infrastructure is struck, access is restricted and aid is politicized, the space for humanitarian action shrinks and it becomes harder to reach the communities we serve. Too many warning lights are flashing.   Actions have consequences, intended and unintended. The international system pulls further apart, and states increase spending on buying and selling weapons. More war risks draining even further the funding, political will and diplomatic energy needed for saving lives.   Humanitarians continue to head towards danger to support civilians caught up in military escalation. Humanitarian action must be unimpeded. International law remains the best protector against the vicious cycle of violence and war.   http://www.unocha.org/latest/news-and-stories http://www.wfp.org/news/wfp-warns-rising-food-and-fuel-prices-risk-pushing-global-hunger-higher-humanitarian-needs http://www.unhcr.org/news/briefing-notes/unhcr-almost-700-000-displaced-week-across-lebanon-crisis-deepens http://www.unhcr.org/news/press-releases/unhcr-3-2-million-iranians-temporarily-displaced-iran-conflict-intensifies http://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2026/03/urgent-call-to-protect-civilians-and-respect-international-law-amid-escalating-regional-conflict-following-us-and-israeli-attacks-on-iran/ http://www.oxfam.org/en/press-releases/statement-regional-directors-ingos-middle-east-region   Mar. 2026   The Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) continues to sound the alarm over the humanitarian impact of escalating violence across parts of the Middle East, which is driving rising civilian casualties, damage to civilian infrastructure and growing displacement.   OCHA is particularly concerned by reports of recent strikes on oil refineries, which could have serious environmental consequences across the region – with immediate impacts on access to safe water and public health. This comes on top of strikes on water desalination plants reported in several countries.   OCHA stresses that the Middle East was already facing immense humanitarian needs prior to this latest escalation.   The organization reiterates that all parties to the conflict must fully comply with their obligations under international humanitarian law, including by ensuring the protection of civilians and civilian infrastructure. All possible precautions must be taken to protect civilians from the impact of hostilities and to avoid damage to health facilities, schools, water systems and other essential infrastructure.   Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus head of the World Health Organization warned that recent attacks on fuel storage facilities in Tehran, the Iranian capital with a population of 10 million people, “can have severe health impacts especially for children, older people, and people with pre existing medical conditions”.   The damage to Iranian petroleum facilities also “risks contaminating food, water and air”. “Rain laden with oil has been reported falling in parts of the country.”   Agnes Callamard, the head of Amnesty International, said “Israeli military leaders should have taken all feasible precautions to avoid or minimize the risks to civilians when targeting oil refineries”. “The incidental harm to civilians, including the release of toxic substances, appears to indicate that too little precautions were taken and that the incidental harm to civilians is disproportionate”.   “The scenes of catastrophe described by Iranians after Tehran’s oil depots were bombed are yet another demonstration that military attacks on Iran are harming civilians, including children.”   http://www.unognewsroom.org/story/en/3041/middle-east-war-impacts-ohchr-who-unhcr-unicef-wfp http://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/mar/08/dark-like-our-future-iranians-describe-scenes-of-catastrophe-after-tehrans-oil-depots-bombed http://www.dw.com/en/iran-war-experts-warns-bombing-oil-infrastructure-in-iran-to-leave-lasting-environmental-damage/a-76335587 http://ceobs.org/black-rain-the-health-and-environmental-risks-from-tehrans-oil-fires/ http://ceobs.org/operation-epic-fury-emerging-environmental-harm-and-risks-in-iran-and-the-region/ http://www.ohchr.org/en/press-releases/2026/03/middle-east-crisis-impact-civilians-reverberates-across-globe-turk http://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2026/03/middle-east-all-parties-to-the-conflict-must-refrain-from-unlawful-attacks-on-energy-infrastructure http://www.ohchr.org/en/press-releases/2026/03/un-experts-denounce-aggression-iran-and-lebanon-warn-devastating-regional http://iran-cost-ticker.com http://civiliansinconflict.org/press-releases/civic-calls-for-immediate-de-escalation-as-regional-conflict-harms-civilians/   * In Israel since the start of the fighting, the civilian population has had to seek shelter countless times throughout the country due to missile attacks. Unintercepted rockets have struck buildings in Tel Aviv and Beit Shemesh, killing civilians and injuring many others. Public life has largely come to a standstill. Until further notice, gatherings are prohibited and educational institutions are closed.   25 June 2025   Iran and Israel have agreed to a ceasefire following 12 days of exchanging intense air strikes. According to Iranian authorities, at least 606 people were killed and more than 5,300 injured since hostilities erupted on 13 June. Israeli officials reported 28 deaths and nearly 1,500 injuries.   12 June 2025   Israel launched attacks on Iran Thursday that targeted nuclear sites and military leaders, reportedly killing the head of Iran’s Revolutionary Guard and some number of nuclear scientists.   According to the New York Times, Israeli warplanes attacked at least six sites in Iran, including the capital city of Tehran and the key nuclear facility at Natanz.   The Natanz facility “was engulfed in flames on Friday,” according to CNN and Iranian state television.   Senior Iranian military leaders, commanders of the Revolutionary Guards and leading scientists involved in the country’s nuclear program were targeted.   Israeli officials attempted to frame the attack as pre-emptive, suggesting that Iran was on the verge of creating nuclear weapons that would pose an existential threat to Israel.   Iran is planning a “decisive response,” the Reuters news service reported Iranian security sources as saying. “The armed forces will certainly respond to this attack,” Iranian spokesperson Abolfazl Shekarchi said.   Thursday’s attacks follow lengthy negotiations between Iran and the United States that were mediated by Oman and aimed to reach agreement on the future of Iran’s uranium enrichment program. Those negotiations appear to have stalled over the issue of Iran’s ability to enrich uranium.   Iran considers enrichment a right conferred by its participation in the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty and necessary to the country’s peaceful uses of nuclear energy.   Israel has insisted that Iran have no ability to enrich uranium, because any enrichment capacity could allow Iran to covertly create nuclear weapons. The United States has wavered between support of plans that would allow Iran a very limited enrichment capacity and an insistence that the country have no enrichment capability whatsoever.   Thursday’s attacks raise the specter of full-scale war between Israel and Iran.   * The conflict between Israel and Iran has entered its sixth day as both states trade waves of missile strikes. Israel's military has said its air force is continuing attacks on targets in Iranian territory. Iran has responded by launching missile barrages at Israel. The US has entered the war attacking three underground nuclear sites inside Iran - nuclear facilities at Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan, were struck.   Statement from Nicolas Von Arx, Near & Middle East regional director for the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), in response to the recent escalation of hostilities between Israel and Iran.   “Our hearts go out to the civilians caught in the conflict between Iran and Israel. Every life lost, every family affected, is a deep tragedy.   Many civilians on both sides have been killed or injured, including members of the Red Cross Red Crescent Movement. Homes have been damaged and livelihoods have been shattered. In Iran, many families are fleeing for safety. In Israel, families are repeatedly forced into shelters in the middle of the night.   We fear that if this conflict intensifies then even more civilians will suffer and the ripple effects will spread far beyond the immediate hostilities in a region that is already seeing so much suffering.   We call for respect of international humanitarian law and urge immediate de-escalation. Decisive political action is urgently needed to stop the killing and put an end to destruction.   Our partners in the Red Cross Red Crescent Movement are responding at the forefront. The Iranian Red Crescent Society (IRCS) have their emergency preparedness and response teams on the ground responding to humanitarian needs. Magen David Adom (MDA) – have been providing critical assistance to those affected by the ongoing hostilities.”   13 June 2025   Middle East: ICRC calls for de-escalation and protection of civilians amid rising tensions   The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) is deeply alarmed by the latest hostilities in the Middle East and urgently calls for respect of international humanitarian law (IHL). Further escalation in a region already wracked by multiple conflicts risks sparking a broader regional crisis with devastating consequences for all communities, exacerbating existing humanitarian emergencies and displacing more people both within their countries and beyond.   Civilians in the Middle East have borne the brunt of repeated crises for decades. What they need most is a respite from armed violence. It is imperative for all actors to prioritize the preservation of human life and dignity. The ICRC urges all parties involved to adhere to IHL, taking constant care to spare the civilian population, civilians and civilian objects.   Beyond legal obligations, decisive political action is needed to scale back hostilities that will lead to further suffering and destruction. Urgent diplomatic steps must be taken to bring back stability and safeguard lives.   In all conflict-affected areas, we continue engaging with parties to remind them of their obligations under IHL to ensure civilians, medical personnel, and civilian objects, including essential services are protected.   The time to act is now—to prevent further suffering and uphold the fundamental principles of humanity.   http://reliefweb.int/report/iran-islamic-republic/mena-regional-escalation-flash-update-1-ocha-regional-office-middle-east-and-north-africa-17-june-2025 http://www.ohchr.org/en/press-releases/2025/06/israel-iran-turk-calls-restraint-and-respect-international-humanitarian-law http://www.un.org/sg/en/content/sg/statement/2025-06-21/statement-the-secretary-general-iran http://news.un.org/en/story/2025/06/1164731 http://www.icrc.org/en/news-release/icrc-statement-escalations-hostilities-middle-east http://www.unicef.org/press-releases/statement-unicef-executive-director-catherine-russell-children-killed-alarming http://www.unicef.org/press-releases/statement-unicef-ad-interim-representative-iran-monika-oledzka-nielsen-impact http://www.icrc.org/en/news-release/middle-east-icrc-calls-de-escalation-protection-civilians-rising-tensions Visit the related web page
	Humanitarian agencies are witnessing alarming human suffering due to a proliferation of conflicts by WVI, OCHA, Global Protection Cluster, agencies   Dec. 2025   This statement is delivered on behalf of 108 Non Governmenmt Organisations, including humanitarian organisations with operations in countries covered by the Global Humanitarian Overview (GHO):   We are witnessing unspeakable human suffering due to the proliferation of conflicts lacking political solutions and the normalization of International Humanitarian Law (IHL) violations. Indiscriminate attacks on civilians and humanitarian workers, the bombing of schools and hospitals, and the use of starvation and sexual violence as methods of warfare are devastating communities worldwide.   Climate shocks, economic fragility, and protracted conflict are exacerbating humanitarian needs, leading to unprecedented levels of displacement and an escalating global hunger crisis.   Boundary-setting and narrower definitions of people in need are resulting in a highly prioritized 2026 GHO. With limited complementarity with development and other actors, it is unclear who will target those left behind. Despite exceptional prioritization efforts, humanitarian funding lags behind and Overseas Development Assistance cuts impact both humanitarian action and development gains.   We must turn the tide together in 2026. We urge donors to fully fund the 2026 GHO and to provide quality funding as early as possible in the year to enable flexible, timely, and principled humanitarian action.   The catastrophic effects of IHL violations – including on children, women, and people living with disabilities – urgently require donors’ re-commitment to the traditionally underfunded sectors of gender and Gender Based Violence, education and child protection in emergencies, and the stepping up of funding for hunger and forced displacement.   We call for a substantial increase in the volume and quality of funding to local and national actors, including Women’s organizations, whose essential leadership in humanitarian response must be recognized. This should be rooted in accountability to - and meaningful participation of affected people.   All stakeholders must redouble efforts to prevent and resolve conflict, and we urge humanitarian, development, peace and climate actors to work together to make nexus programming a reality and foster resilience. This requires increased Overseas Development Asistance (ODA) directed to fragile settings.   Nothing will reduce humanitarian needs unless civilians are protected. The 75th anniversary of the Geneva Conventions is also a year of unconscionable IHL violations. We urge parties to conflicts to abide by their obligations, and we call on governments to leverage their influence and ensure that the consistent application of IHL is a top priority.   http://www.wvi.org/newsroom/emergencies/nogs-call-action-and-funding-global-humanitarian-overview   As the UN and partners launch the new 2026 global humanitarian appeal today – aiming to support 135 million people in 50 countries – Islamic Relief has joined 89 NGOs and networks to issue this collective statement (Extract):   This has been a year like no other for millions of people enduring unimaginable hardship amid escalating conflicts, hunger, displacement, climate disasters and inequality. The number and intensity of conflicts worldwide are at their highest since modern records began in 1946, threatening global peace and security. The political pushback against inclusion and gender equality is already reversing hard won gains and threatening women and girls’ rights worldwide, especially in conflict settings.   Violations of international humanitarian law – meted out with savage cruelty – are met with barely more than a shrug. Aid is obstructed, and humanitarian and healthcare workers are being killed or injured in record numbers. War crimes and crimes against humanity, including the use of starvation and gender-based violence as weapons, draw condemnation but little or no concrete action to protect civilians, fuelling the crisis of trust and legitimacy our sector is facing. Women of all ages, children, people living with disabilities, and older persons are among the hardest hit.   The humanitarian crises we are called to address result in large part from a lack of political leadership. Despite much-publicised peace deals, there is no political will to maintain peace or hold perpetrators of international crimes accountable. Many crises have persisted for decades, with a total failure to address the underlying causes.   Brutal cuts to humanitarian assistance have plunged communities deeper into poverty and deprivation, stripping resources from local and national organizations that are first responders. In March, nearly half of women-led organisations feared they would have to shut down. A more recent UN Women survey of civil society and women’s rights organisations found nearly 100% were affected by aid cuts; for three-quarters, the impact was significant.   The Feminist Humanitarian Network has documented a disproportionate impact on organisations led by women with disabilities, young women, and indigenous women. Child protection capacity has also been drastically affected, with over half of surveyed local and national organisations losing 40% of child protection budgets. Even before this year’s cuts, ODI research has shown that refugee-led organisations received a pittance in funding, just USD 49 million in 2024.   The scale of suffering is impossible to capture, but some examples provide a window into the horror:   The number and intensity of conflicts have more than doubled since 2010, reaching the highest number since 1946. Existing conflicts are more protracted, and new conflicts loom on the horizon. Spending on weapons has surged; revenues from sales of arms and military services reached a record USD 679 billion in 2024, 18 times the amount that was spent on humanitarian aid in the same year.   Between 2023 and 2024, the number of women and children killed in armed conflicts quadrupled compared with the previous two years. More than 1 in every 5 children now lives in a conflict zone. This year’s annual report on children and armed conflict recorded a 45% increase in grave violations against children in 2024, compared with 2022. Widespread impunity allows violations against civilians to continue undeterred.   Famine was declared in the Middle East for the first time under the IPC system, as civilians in Gaza were deliberately starved. Famine has also been confirmed by the IPC in Sudan, and is again a risk in South Sudan, while Haiti, Mali, and Yemen are hotspots of highest concern. Millions of people in Afghanistan, Myanmar, and elsewhere are at emergency levels of acute food insecurity.   Climate change continues to devastate communities across the world, fuelling conflicts and displacement.   Forced displacement has doubled in the past 10 years, but is met with decisions by states to cut funding and implement efforts to deter migration, externalise asylum procedures, reduce refugee protection space, and renege on their burden-sharing responsibilities. These policies and the lack of legal pathways for migration also contribute to the rise in human trafficking.   Women of all ages and girls in conflict settings, such as the Democratic Republic of Congo, Haiti, and Sudan, who are often at the forefront of community-led response, face unacceptable gender-based violence, including horrific sexual violence.   Women and girls are affected by high levels of reproductive violence, including deliberate destruction or blocking of sexual and reproductive healthcare. In 2023, 58% of maternal deaths, 50% of newborn deaths, and 51% of stillbirths occurred worldwide in 29 countries with humanitarian crises. This is expected to worsen, as many women of all ages and girls face life threatening consequences from the loss of access to quality health services.   The decline in funding that followed the COVID-19 response along with the progressive prioritisation, tightening, and boundary-setting, including the “hyper-prioritisation” of the 2025 GHO, have already left millions behind. The 2026 GHO edition has been tightened further.   We appreciate the continued investment in evidence-based identification of both the full number of people in need of assistance, those most in need, and those to be targeted. But we warn that we have reached the limits of “severity of needs analysis”. As the Emergency Relief Coordinator noted, “the cruel math of doing less with less” comes down to an impossible choice of who lives, who does not and between “saving lives today and giving people any chance at a future tomorrow”.   The loss of thousands of staff across the sector directly impacts communities. We have less capacity to coordinate, and to assess and meet the needs of people requiring assistance.   Even with reduced capacity, what we do know is that needs are at unacceptable levels and continue to grow.   Decline in development funding, in disarmament and peace efforts, and failure to limit the impacts of climate change mean that root causes remain unaddressed. Worryingly, states are withdrawing from multilateral agreements, such as the Ottawa Treaty, that were developed with the goal of better protecting civilians.   Despite broad public support for aid in most donor countries, politicians pander to anti-aid actors, adopting narratives and policies that create a sense of “us versus them” for their constituencies. We urge donors to resist these narratives and fully fund the 2026 GHO with timely, quality funding that reaches local and national organizations as directly as possible, including those led by women, which are often best placed to respond.   Humanitarian suffering anywhere is a concern for us all. We call upon all nations and additional stakeholders, including private sector, Multilateral and International Financial Institutions, to contribute principled and quality humanitarian funding.   Political action to prevent and end conflict is paramount. We need more ODA, including development and peace funding, directed to fragile and conflict-affected settings.   We need political action to firmly defend humanitarian norms and values. We welcome initiatives to improve compliance and accountability, such as the Global Initiative to Galvanise Political Commitment to IHL and the Declaration for the Protection of Humanitarian Personnel. Such efforts remind us that the law is clear. What is lacking is the political will to respect it.   Violations must end. Parties to conflicts must uphold their obligations, and all governments must use their influence and fulfil their responsibility to end impunity and ensure consistent adherence to international law.   http://reliefweb.int/report/world/year-no-other-ngo-statement-launch-new-un-2026-appeal http://humanitarianaction.info/document/global-humanitarian-overview-2026/article/under-fire-and-under-pressure-what-happens-when-humanitarian-action-hindered http://humanitarianaction.info/document/global-humanitarian-overview-2026/article/trends-crises-and-needs-world-breaking-point http://humanitarianaction.info/document/global-humanitarian-overview-2026/article/humanitarians-action-delivering-2025-amid-extreme-challenges http://humanitarianaction.info/document/global-humanitarian-overview-2026   http://www.icrc.org/en/article/humanitarian-outlook-2026 http://www.unicef.org/press-releases/unicef-calls-urgent-investment-life-saving-services-children-global-humanitarian http://www.wfp.org/news/wfp-prioritize-feeding-110-million-hungriest-2026-global-hunger-deepens-amidst-uncertain http://www.unhcr.org/news/press-releases/despite-funding-cuts-unhcr-responded-multiple-complex-emergencies-last-year http://www.nrc.no/news/2025/december/2026-millions-in-need-will-not-get-aid-unless-global-solidarity-revived http://www.thenewhumanitarian.org/analysis/2025/12/11/abrupt-transitions-global-humanitarian-overview-pushes-dangerous-trend http://www.rescue.org/press-release/irc-emergency-watchlist-2026-new-world-disorder-driving-unprecedented-humanitarian   The State of Protection in 2025. (Global Protection Cluster)   This note aims to support Member States in aligning political, financial and operational support with realities on the ground. This year’s context is shaped by two major shifts: the deepening of protection risks in large-scale conflicts and protracted crises – from Gaza, Sudan and eastern DRC to Myanmar, Ukraine and multiple contexts across the Sahel and the Americas – and the restructuring of the humanitarian system under the Humanitarian Reset, which prioritises life-saving outcomes and simplified coordination amid significant funding cuts.   Global Protection Trends   The global protection landscape in 2025 is marked by a scale and severity of civilian harm that surpasses previous years. According to the Global Protection Update of October 2025, an estimated 395 million people in 23 countries are exposed to protection risks (including 254 million in Africa, 78 million in Asia, 28 million in the Americas, 20 million in MENA and 15 million in Ukraine).   This number reflects individuals and communities facing direct, often life-threatening threats from violence, coercion and deliberate deprivation. The estimate is based on extensive monitoring of protection risks at subnational level undertaken by Protection Clusters, complemented by 24 national and subnational Protection Analysis Updates published in 2025.   The analysis confirms that the most severe and recurrent protection risks include attacks on civilians and civilian infrastructure, abductions, arbitrary detentions, severe movement restrictions and forced displacement, all driven by conflicts and by the growing disregard for and violations of international humanitarian and human rights law and the lack of accountability for it.   Gender-based violence, impediments to and denial of legal identity, and intensifying psychosocial distress, compounded by the denial of essential services and opportunities, are consistently reported at severe levels, further highlighting the impact of these risks on crisis-affected individuals.   Harm to civilians is increasingly heightened by social, psychological, and economic threats that extend beyond physical dangers. These are driven by societal norms, misinformation, and failures within legal systems, exploiting vulnerabilities such as social exclusion, limited awareness of rights, and economic instability.   This year’s trends show clearer, group-specific patterns of harm: for example, men and boys remain heavily affected by abductions and illegal detention, while children face persistent risks of family separation and forced recruitment (especially boys). Women and girls continue to be disproportionately impacted, with early and forced marriage and other gender-based harms.   These patterns highlight an increased stratification of protection risks. The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Myanmar, the occupied Palestinian territory (oPt - Gaza & West Bank), Sudan, and Ukraine face the most extreme situations.   This year, the deterioration was most visible in Gaza, where the crisis has deepened into famine amid continued bombardment and the destruction of civilian infrastructure and lives. In Sudan, particularly in El Fasher, civilians remained trapped in siege-like conditions for more than 500 days followed by horrendous rapes, killings and other abuses.   In the eastern DRC, the rapid escalation of the M23 offensive in January resulted in the capture of Goma and Bukavu within three weeks, the killing of an estimated 3,000 people, and the displacement of over one million additional people, bringing total internal displacement to 6.4 million.   Myanmar continues to experience widespread rights violations, with more than 19,900 people arrested since the 2021 coup and 7,100 still in detention, including humanitarian workers. In Mozambique, escalation of attacks on civilians and civilian objects, and destruction of property has led in recent weeks to forced displacement of nearly 100.000 people.   The number of people displaced by gang violence in Haiti doubled from September 2024 to October 2025, while killings, kidnapping and sexual violence are being used as tactics to extort and terrorize communities.   Other crises reflect a similar pattern of risk concentration. In Venezuela, the collapse of public institutions, combined with extreme economic decline is driving families into negative coping mechanisms such as child marriage, child labour and trafficking.   Across the Sahel and the Lake Chad Basin, armed group activity, forced recruitment, displacement, sexual violence and denial of services continue to dominate the protection landscape, while growing insecurity further constrains humanitarian access.   A coordinated subnational analysis by the Protection Cluster and partners covering 2,673 administrative areas in 23 countries, shows that in every country assessed, many communities are living in areas where multiple severe or extreme protection risks overlap. All countries in the analysis have at least one area facing combined severe or extreme protection risks.   Overall, 32% of all assessed areas across the 23 countries face extreme or severe levels of violence, coercion and deprivation.   For example, in Afghanistan, some districts are exposed to eleven severe or extreme risks at the same time. Communities in Burkina Faso. South Sudan, Niger, Somalia, Myanmar and Colombia see overlapping patterns of violence, deprivation and limited access leaving populations with almost no protective options.   Given the current humanitarian context – marked by significant service gaps and limited response capacity – it is essential to identify specific geographic areas where the combination of violence, coercion, and deliberate deprivation is not only acute and harmful, but at clear risk of further escalation.   This situation is highly worrying and leads to further deterioration when communities are hit by natural hazards or the impacts of climate change. In areas where protection risks already overlap, contingency planning and preparedness are extremely difficult, and natural hazards become far more devastating, creating new protection risks, and increasing humanitarian needs.   Recent examples include severe flooding in South Sudan, Nigeria, Venezuela and earthquakes in Myanmar and Afghanistan, which have displaced large populations, exposed them to heightened protection risks (19.9 million in Myanmar and 1.2 million in Afghanistan), disrupted essential services and worsened pre-existing vulnerabilities.   In these contexts, individuals face the combined effects of environmental hazards, conflict and exclusion – an interaction that greatly increases the risks of exploitation, violence, loss of property and family separation.   Protection risks remain high in countries experiencing accelerated transition, where changes in humanitarian presence and programming create additional vulnerabilities.   In Cameroon, the Far North, Southwest and Northwest regions face high levels of abductions, kidnappings, unlawful detentions and killings. In Colombia, an estimated 167 municipalities face at least four of the 15 protection risks at severe or extreme levels.   In Nigeria, 11 Local Government Area (LGAs) face a similar combination of risks. Across several operations (Afghanistan, DRC, Syria) massive return movements have occurred – sometimes under adverse circumstances – underscoring the critical need for sustained protection support to ensure that people can return in safety, dignity, and with their rights upheld.   Emerging protection challenges are increasingly shaped by both deliberate tactics of harm and rapid technological change. In several crises, the weaponization of food, the use of famine as a method of warfare, and siege tactics are being employed to exert control over civilian populations, cutting off access to essential goods and services and exacerbating vulnerabilities.   The continued, and at times increasing, use of rape and sexual violence as a weapon of war to exert power and control, deny and destroy the lives and dignity of women, children and also men remain worrying.   At the same time, technology is transforming the protection landscape: while digital tools can improve early warning, communication, and access to assistance, they also introduce risks such as surveillance, data exploitation, misinformation, technology facilitated violence, and exclusion of those without digital access. Together, these dynamics demand adapted protection strategies that address both intentional deprivation and the evolving digital threats facing affected communities.   The use of new methods of warfare – particularly drones – by state forces, armed groups, and gangs is outpacing existing prevention, protection, and response capacities, creating new and poorly regulated risk environments for civilians.   The use of explosive weapons in populated areas is only adding to an already dire situation.   The rapid concentration of humanitarian assistance in a limited number of locations, combined with widespread service reductions, is shifting disproportionate responsibility and risk onto local NGOs and frontline actors – often without the resources, security guarantees, or institutional support required to operate safely and effectively. Together, these trends point to a global protection environment where conflict-driven risks, discrimination, deliberate deprivation and institutional collapse increasingly overlap.   The deterioration is widespread, multi-dimensional and advancing faster than the humanitarian architecture, even after the Reset, can adapt to.   Large segments of the population are now directly exposed to severe violence, coercion and deprivation, driven by the flagrant disregard and violations of IHL and human rights law and lack of accountability for it.   These harms are further compounded by discriminatory norms, misinformation, weak legal systems, limited awareness about rights and economic instability.   Protection in the Context of the Humanitarian Reset   The Humanitarian Reset, announced in March 2025, represents a system-wide effort to reform humanitarian action, improve efficiency and sharpen the focus on life-saving activities. For the protection community and in light of the protection situation across the globe, the Reset has reinforced a core message: most humanitarian crises are fundamentally protection crises – stemming from repeated violations of international humanitarian and human rights law, attacks on civilians and civilian infrastructure, deliberate deprivation and systemic exclusion.   The Reset is taking place amid historic funding cuts that threaten the continued delivery of essential protection services. In 2024, protection actors received US$1.9 billion (53% of the US$3.6 billion required). By 30th November 2025, the Protection Cluster and its AoRs have received 34% of its US$3.5 billion requirement, with projected shortfalls of up to 66% across major crises.   Financial resources for protection are not necessarily evenly distributed across crises. For instance, emergencies in Ethiopia, Mozambique, Myanmar, and Haiti have particularly large protection funding gaps (less than 25% funded), while several protracted crises remain chronically underfunded (Somalia, Yemen, the Sahel and the Americas). The 10 most underfunded protection crises this year are El Salvador, Mali, Myanmar, Niger, Honduras, Guatemala, Mozambique, Somalia, Venezuela, Haiti.   The hyper-prioritisation exercise launched in June 2025 provides a stark illustration of this growing gap between needs and available resources. Across all operations, 168 million people were identified as in need of protection; however, only 24.7 million people – 14.7% of the total – could be prioritised under the hyper-prioritised plans. This left 143.3 million people unreached, despite high levels of exposure to harm.   Meeting the protection needs of even this reduced caseload required US$1.2 billion in urgently mobilised resources. Funding gaps are growing faster and becoming larger.   Protection actors have long had to adapt and work together to keep the most critical services going. What is different and more worrying this year is the impact these gaps are having on how protection is delivered. Protection programmes were forced to scale down or stop altogether in multiple countries, increasing the risk of exposure to violence and exploitation.   A shrinking humanitarian footprint is also weakening early warning and protection monitoring in many contexts, shifting away from prevention. Loss of experienced protection staff has weakened survivor-centered care and the delivery of specialized services.   If funding pressures continue, reduced protection presence on the ground will mean more violations undetected, delays in critical response, and greater exposure of civilians to escalating threats.   Women-led and survivor-led organisations were disproportionally impacted by the funding cuts and report shrinking civic space and growing operational constraints. The closure of Women and Girls Safe Spaces and Child Friendly Spaces, case management and other essential services is already happening in numerous operations, eroding hard-won gains in Child Protection and Gender Based Violence prevention and response and community led engagement.   Meanwhile, the Reset is accelerating the transition of humanitarian coordination structures in countries such as Cameroon, Colombia, Eritrea, Iraq, Libya, Nigeria, Pakistan and Zimbabwe. Careful planning and adequate resourcing are needed to mitigate protection gaps in contexts where national systems have limited capacity to take on these responsibilities.   The transition process and planning must be grounded in a robust protection analysis that systematically consider remaining protection risks and resulting needs that may be exacerbated by, or result from, changes to the coordination of the humanitarian response, and population groups at risk of being left behind.   Protection must be recognised, resourced and supported as central to life-saving action. Without this recognition, the narrowing of the humanitarian response footprint risks amplifying the very protection risks the Reset seeks to address.   Uphold international law and demand protection of civilians.   Member States should press all parties to immediately cease violations of international humanitarian and human rights law, including combating impunity and holding those responsible for violation accountable.   This includes preventing forced displacement, siege-like situations, attacks on civilians and civilian infrastructure, conflict related sexual violence, child recruitment and the use of explosive weapons in populated areas. They should ensure communities retain access to essential services, resources, and assistance.   Sustaining protection requires long-term support to community-based structures, women-led and survivor-led organisations, organisations of persons with disabilities, and other frontline actors. Donors should provide flexible, multi-year funding that enables these organisations to operate safely, maintain services, and participate in coordination and decision-making.   Protection outcomes cannot be achieved through humanitarian action alone. Member States should advocate for embedding protection-risk reduction and measurable outcomes as accountability benchmarks across financing, reporting, and oversight mechanisms, and ensuring protection risk analysis and conflict prevention systematically informs diplomatic, peacebuilding, and development decision-making.   Member State representatives should work closely with protection actors to ensure that protection considerations shape humanitarian policies, high-level negotiations, and operational planning. Protection risks reduction must remain a core objective across inter-agency coordination mechanisms, leadership and pooled funding decisions, and transition processes.   http://globalprotectioncluster.org/index.php/publications/2393/communication-materials/advocacy-note/high-level-humanitarian-donors-briefing http://alliancecpha.org/en/annual-meeting-2026/background-paper Visit the related web page
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