US-Israel war on Iran driving historic levels of global hunger by UN World Food Programme (WFP), agencies   27 May 2026   The continuing US-Israel war on Iran has compounded other global disasters to drive record numbers of people into hunger at a time when funding to combat famine has fallen dramatically, the deputy head of the UN World Food Programme (WFP) has said.   The WFP says 363 million people around the world are now at risk of acute hunger, 45 million of them as a result of conflict in the Middle East and the consequent oil price spike.   The surge in need comes against the backdrop of a dramatic cut in funding last year by a third, with the US, the largest donor by far, cutting its contribution by more than half.   Carl Skau, who will become the WFP’s acting executive director on 1 June 2026, said the huge gap between needs and funding had forced the organisation to cut programmes supporting populations in food emergencies so as to focus on those already facing catastrophic famine.   “We take from the hungry to give to the starving. That’s the reality,” Skau told the Guardian. “Much of this is driven by conflict. Last year, we had two famines declared. That hasn’t happened in decades, so these are historic levels of hunger.”   The two famines declared in 2025 were in Gaza and Sudan. The situation in Gaza has improved slightly since the October ceasefire, while Sudan continues to be the world’s worst humanitarian crisis, with famine persisting in parts of Darfur and South Kordofan.   “On the funding side, we had a drop of nearly 40% year on year,” Skau said, adding that it immediately affected staffing levels, particularly in Afghanistan and Yemen, where the Trump administration has cut off all emergency food funding. “We had to let go of 5,000 people. In Afghanistan, it’s meant we went from supporting 10 million to 2 million. It was a huge, huge drop last year.”   More than 300 million people were already facing acute hunger globally before the US and Israel started a war with Iran in February, which led to Tehran closing the strait of Hormuz and then a US counter blockade on Iranian shipping.   The WFP estimated earlier in the Iran war that if oil prices remained above $100, 45 million more people would face acute food shortages. The price of Brent crude fell below that benchmark in mid-May, but only after weeks in March and May when it was well above $100. It still costs 30% more than its prewar average and could rise again.   The war and the Hormuz closure have had several effects on global hunger and the WFP’s capacity to prevent people from dying from famine. Most directly, it drives up food prices, mostly because of transport costs.   “The price of food and energy is so closely correlated that in some places if the price of energy goes up 30%, food inflation almost meets that,” Skau said. “In a least developed country, amongst the most vulnerable, they’re already spending all their money on food, and so that means they eat 30% or 40% less.”   The spike in oil prices also directly affects WFP efforts to get food to the most desperately hungry. More of its operating costs have to go towards transport, and some aid routes have been blocked.   For example, border tensions with the Taliban government in Afghanistan in recent months led Pakistan to close border crossings, blocking the usual route for food aid. The Gulf conflict has since closed its second longest border, with Iran, so the WFP has had to resort to long and costly land routes.   The oil price hike and the inflationary surge it has sent across the world continues to negatively impact countries in need of WFP support.   Yet, total WFP donor contributions had already dropped from $9.8bn in 2024 to $6.5bn in 2025. In that period, US funding fell from $4.4bn to $2.1bn, while UK contributions declined from $610m to $435m. This year, the estimated funding needs are $13bn to reach 110 million people in need, but only $2.8bn has so far been received.   Those are all immediate impacts on hunger of the Iran war, and it is already creating severe problems for next year by cutting the supply chain for a third of the world’s seaborne fertiliser.   “In east Africa, all their fertiliser comes from the Middle East, and they don’t have the capacity nor the resources to buy elsewhere,” Skau said. “So that means that if this continues, there is going to be none, and eastern Africa is now heading into the planting season, so we will see the impact on productivity six or nine months from now.”   Beyond the immediate impact of the Iran war, Skau pointed to the corrosion of international norms that had made the work of humanitarian workers like WFP staff more dangerous than ever. More than 1,000 humanitarian workers have been killed while doing their job over the past three years.   “We really feel this broader sense of a challenge to the rule of law,” Skau said. “We feel it at the checkpoints, and the drone wars have been terrible. We’re losing more colleagues than ever – and certainly there is no accountability. It’s never been more dangerous.”   * The World Food Programme is the world’s largest humanitarian organization saving lives in emergencies. WFP support brings life-saving food to millions of people displaced by conflict and made destitute by disasters. For millions of people worldwide, WFP’s emergency relief during crises is the difference between life and death.   http://www.wfp.org/global-hunger-crisis http://www.wfp.org/stories/how-mideast-crisis-deepening-hunger-far-beyond-front-lines http://www.fightfoodcrises.net/articles/gnafc-key-messages-and-analysis-2026-conflict-middle-east-acute-food-insecurity-and http://www.wfp.org/news/wfp-projects-food-insecurity-could-reach-record-levels-result-middle-east-escalation http://www.wfp.org/emergencies/middle-east-conflict http://www.fao.org/newsroom/detail/strait-of-hormuz-crisis--fertilizer-scarcity-will-affect-next-harvests-and-food-supplies--fao-warns/en http://www.fao.org/in-focus/middle-east-conflict-2026/en http://www.mercycorps.org/research-resources/hormuz-to-hunger http://www.fightfoodcrises.net/global-report-food-crises http://www.unicef.org/press-releases/famine-harsh-reality-children-acute-hunger-numbers-double-over-past-decade http://news.un.org/en/story/2026/04/1167374   http://reliefweb.int/report/sudan/joint-news-release-wfpfaounicef-risk-famine-persists-nearly-195-million-people-face-acute-food-insecurity-sudan http://reliefweb.int/report/somalia/joint-press-release-un-agencies-warn-worsening-hunger-and-malnutrition-crisis-somalia-famine-risk-emerges http://reliefweb.int/report/democratic-republic-congo/wfpfao-millions-trapped-deepening-hunger-crisis-drc-needs-far-outpace-humanitarian-response http://reliefweb.int/report/nigeria/nigeria-2026-lean-season-unprecedented-food-and-nutrition-crisis-advocacy-note http://reliefweb.int/report/syrian-arab-republic/wfp-scales-back-food-assistance-syria-amid-funding-shortfalls http://www.wfp.org/news/hunger-intensifies-south-sudan-78-million-people-face-high-acute-food-insecurity-and-22 http://reliefweb.int/report/afghanistan/afghan-women-and-children-pay-price-crises-converge-and-funding-shrinks http://www.ipcinfo.org/ipcinfo-website/countries-in-focus-archive/issue-152/en/ http://www.ipcinfo.org/ipc-country-analysis   May 2026   States must act to protect Civilians in Armed Conflict   Protecting Civilians in Armed Conflict is a Responsibility that Member States and the UN Security Council Must Uphold. Statement by Principals of the Inter-Agency Standing Committee (IASC):   "As the Protection of Civilians Week unfolds in New York, we strongly condemn and raise the alarm about the growing and blatant violations of International Humanitarian and Human Rights Law meant to protect civilians in armed conflict.   Across conflicts, civilians, including children, are killed, injured, and displaced at an alarming scale. Sexual violence is used as a tactic of war, overwhelmingly affecting women and girls and devastating lives. Homes, schools, places of worship, hospitals, including maternal wards, are destroyed or damaged, as are civilian infrastructure and assets, such as water systems, transport network, markets, food production. Essential services are collapsing. Forced displacement is accelerating.   Conflict-induced hunger and famine are spreading, often driven by unlawful siege tactics, starvation, and the arbitrary denial of humanitarian access. This is happening despite the existence of clear obligations under International Humanitarian Law and the framework reaffirmed by UN Security Council resolution 2417 (2018), which condemns the deliberate starvation of civilians and the use of hunger as method of warfare.   And a decade after the adoption of UN Security Council resolution 2286 (2016) that demands the protection of the wounded, sick, and medical personnel, violence, attacks and threats against healthcare workers and facilities continue with impunity. More than 10,000 incidents against health care facilities and workers have been verified to date.   Aid workers are also under attack and killed in unprecedented numbers. More than 1,000 humanitarian colleagues have been killed over the past three years. Many others are arbitrarily detained. Often the first to respond, staff from national and local organisations and community initiatives pay an unacceptably high toll. Many women-led-organisations addressing lifesaving protection and gender-based violence are being attacked.   From Gaza to El Fasher, and from Kharkiv to Beirut, the use of explosive weapons in populated areas is devastating civilian lives. At the same time, new technologies, including drones and artificial intelligence, are reshaping warfare and expanding the battlefield.   Wars have rules that apply to all parties to conflict. The problem is not a lack of law. The problem is the failure to uphold them consistently, the erosion of accountability and inaction, even in the face of atrocities.   Protecting civilians is a legal obligation and a moral imperative. For the sake of our shared humanity, rules that protect civilians must be upheld.   http://interagencystandingcommittee.org/inter-agency-standing-committee/statement-principals-iasc-protecting-civilians-armed-conflict-responsibility-member-states-and-un http://www.unocha.org/news/over-1000-aid-workers-killed-often-hands-member-states-un-relief-chief-demands-action http://www.unocha.org/news/ocha-tells-security-council-protecting-civilians-cannot-be-outsourced-postponed-or-diluted http://civiliansinconflict.org/press-releases/joint-civil-society-statement-ahead-of-the-2026-open-debate-on-the-protection-of-civilians-in-armed-conflict/ http://insecurityinsight.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/2025-SHCC-Annual-Report.pdf http://www.icrc.org/en/statement/icrc-ifrc-world-red-cross-red-crescent-day-call-uphold-protections-civilians-medical-personnel-humanitarian-workers-communities-depend-on http://globalprotectioncluster.org/publications/2474/communication-materials/advocacy-note/poc-advocacy-note-civilian-protection-2026 Visit the related web page
	All States have obligations under international humanitarian law to avoid civilian harm by UN News, OHCA, ICRC, UNICEF, agencies   30 April 2026   Iran: ICRC president says a return to war would be ruinous for civilians   The president of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), Mirjana Spoljaric, warned during a visit to Tehran of the devastating consequences for civilians in Iran and across the region if military operations were to resume.   “Six weeks of hostilities have pulled Iran and the wider Middle East into patterns of warfare that have proved devastating for civilians and the infrastructure they rely on to survive. Any return to a conflict of such intensity and scale will be catastrophic for millions,” President Spoljaric said.   “The ceasefire has widened the window to scale up humanitarian assistance. We hope that this opportunity can be used to meet the needs of millions across the region who have suffered from hostilities,” President Spoljaric said.   In recent weeks, the ICRC has brought additional staff into Iran, and delivered relief items and medical supplies to help civilians in need, with more on the way.   “The humanitarian cost of a region at war is not one the world can absorb. Millions of lives depend on the political will to respect international humanitarian law and ensure the protection of civilians,” President Spoljaric said. “A durable ceasefire, followed by a political solution, has to start by upholding humanity in war along with a collective commitment to de-escalate.”   http://www.icrc.org/en/news-release/iran-icrc-president-says-return-war-would-be-ruinous-civilians http://www.ungeneva.org/en/news-media/news/2026/05/118510/strait-hormuz-de-escalation-urgent-says-un-chief http://www.unhcr.org/news/briefing-notes/unhcr-middle-east-crisis-ripple-effects-strain-aid-efforts-beyond-region   11 April 2026   End impunity for violations of the rules of war - Principals of the Inter-Agency Standing Committee   "We are alarmed by the sustained violations of the rules of war and international humanitarian law.   In just the last month across the Middle East, thousands of civilians have been killed and injured. Hundreds of thousands have been displaced, many multiple times. The numbers continue to rise and essential services are increasingly difficult to access.   Health workers, hospitals and ambulances have been targeted. Schools have been struck. Civilian infrastructure – including bridges, residential buildings, houses, water facilities and power plants – has been destroyed.   This leaves us especially concerned about women and children and others with specific needs. Global supply chains are also impacted, with food and fuel prices on the rise.   Our humanitarian colleagues have been caught up in the hostilities. Aid workers have been killed or injured in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, in Iran and in Lebanon in alarming numbers, national staff and local organizations, working courageously on the humanitarian front lines every day.   We strongly condemn all attacks on civilians, including humanitarian and health workers, as well as civilian objects. We demand that all parties – whether Member States of the United Nations or armed groups – respect their legal obligation to protect civilians, including humanitarian personnel, and civilian infrastructure.   All violations must be met with accountability. Even wars have rules, and these rules must be respected".   http://interagencystandingcommittee.org/inter-agency-standing-committee/statement-principals-inter-agency-standing-committee-end-impunity-violations-rules-war-0 http://www.unicef.org/press-releases/statement-principals-inter-agency-standing-committee   Mar. 2026   Geneva (ICRC) - A devastating pattern of warfare is eroding the foundations of civilian life in the Middle East.   One month of hostilities has upended the lives of millions and sent shockwaves far beyond the region at a scale and speed that threatens to overwhelm the humanitarian response.   In just four weeks, thousands have lost their lives, including first responders and humanitarian workers. Hundreds of thousands have been uprooted. Essential infrastructure critical for the supply of energy, water and health care has been damaged or destroyed. The use of heavy explosive weapons with wide area impact in urban settings has caused suffering and fear.   The way hostilities have been waged has exacerbated the detrimental impact. Without respect for the rules of war, civilians will continue to suffer profound consequences that outlast the current conflict.   The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) is working closely with its partners from the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, who have mobilized thousands of staff and volunteers to help those affected by the hostilities.   At a time of escalating needs and tightening humanitarian budgets, the ICRC and other organizations are being forced to adapt to disrupted supply chains that are undermining their operations. Meanwhile, several countries already burdened by humanitarian crises must now also contend with rising fuel prices and increasing operational costs.   Respect for the rules of war reduces the consequences for civilians especially during military operations. All parties, regardless of the side they are on, are bound by international humanitarian law (IHL), and all states have an obligation to respect and ensure respect for IHL, even if their adversary does not.   ICRC president: War on essential infrastructure is war on civilians.   The following is a statement from ICRC President Mirjana Spoljaric:   "War on essential infrastructure is war on civilians. It must stop. Every effort to de-escalate is critical. Deliberate attacks on essential services and civilian infrastructure can amount to war crimes.   We are seeing energy, fuel, water and health-care infrastructure damaged and destroyed. This disturbing trend is not limited to the Middle East or the last three weeks; it has been pervasive in conflicts across regions. But what we have seen in recent days in the Middle East risks reaching a point of no return.   Most alarming is the potential harm to nuclear facilities, whether deliberate or incidental. Damage to these sites could trigger irreversible consequences, which is why they are afforded heightened protections under the rules of war.   Attacks on essential infrastructure have already punished millions of civilians both near and far from the front lines. This pattern, combined with an escalatory rhetoric that disregards the limits imposed by international humanitarian law, normalizes a style of warfare that strips away our shared humanity.   Respecting the dignity of civilians is the basis for de-escalation and political solutions from which peace and stability can be built".   http://www.icrc.org/en/news-release/middle-east-hostilities-are-eroding-foundations-civilian-life http://www.icrc.org/en/statement/icrc-president-war-on-essential-infrastructure-is-war-on-civilians http://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/may/19/strike-near-uae-reactor-concerns-nuclear-plant-safety-iran-war-middle-east http://www.icrc.org/en/news-release/sudan-attacks-critical-civilian-infrastructure-amid-escalating-fighting http://press.un.org/en/2021/sc14506.doc.htm http://www.nrc.no/news/2026/middle-east-war-the-vast-human-cost-is-overlooked   Humanitarian crisis for children deepens after one month of war in the Middle East. (UNICEF)   More than one month into the military escalation in the Middle East, conflict continues to exact a devastating toll on children across the region. More than 340 children have reportedly been killed and thousands injured. This includes 216 killed and 1,767 injured in Iran, 124 killed and 413 injured in Lebanon, 4 killed and 862 injured in Israel, 1 child killed in Kuwait, 4 children injured in Bahrain, and 1 child injured in Jordan. The highest reported child casualty event occurred on the first day of the war in a missile strike on the Shajareh Tayyebeh school in Iran that killed 168 children.   Relentless attacks by parties to conflict across multiple countries are destroying and damaging the facilities and infrastructure that children depend on – including hospitals, schools, and water and sanitation systems.   Ongoing violence in the State of Palestine, including Gaza and the West Bank, over the same period has killed 16 Palestinian children and injured more than 50.   “Children in the region are being exposed to horrific violence, while the very systems and services meant to keep them safe are coming under attack,” said UNICEF’s Executive Director Catherine Russell. “Urgent action is needed by all parties to conflict to protect the lives of civilians and uphold the rights of children.”   Across the region, more than 1.2 million children have been displaced as bombardments and evacuation orders have emptied entire communities. This upheaval is often accompanied by exposure to traumatic events and the loss of everything that once made children feel safe. Prolonged exposure to violence and instability is known to have lasting impacts on brain development, emotional regulation, and long-term mental health.   UNICEF reiterates calls by the Secretary-General for an immediate cessation of hostilities and genuine de-escalation. Every party must exercise maximum restraint. Under international humanitarian law, civilians, including and especially children, and civilian objects must always be protected.   Amnesty International’s Senior Director of Research, Advocacy and Policy Erika Guevara-Rosas:   “Intentionally attacking civilian infrastructure such as power plants is generally prohibited. Even in the limited cases that they qualify as military targets, a party still cannot attack power plants if this may cause disproportionate harm to civilians.   Given that such power plants are essential for meeting the basic needs and livelihoods of tens of millions of civilians, attacking them would be disproportionate and thus unlawful under international humanitarian law, and could amount to a war crime.   “Plunging a country into darkness, would potentially deprive people of their human rights to life, water, food, healthcare and adequate standard of living, and to subject them to severe pain and suffering".   “When power plants collapse, horrific consequences cascade instantly. Water pumping stations would stop functioning, clean water would become scarce, and preventable diseases would spread. Hospitals would lose electricity and fuel, forcing life-support machines to shut down. Food production and distribution networks would collapse, deepening hunger and causing widespread food scarcity".   "Conflict parties must end all unlawful attacks against energy infrastructure and desalination facilities. Desalination plants are critical for ensuring drinking water supply to millions of civilians across the region".   All States have obligations under international humanitarian law to avoid civilian harm.   http://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2026/03/trump-warning-attack-iran-power-plants-is-threat-to-commit-war-crimes/ http://www.bmj.com/content/393/bmj.s831 http://www.hrw.org/news/2026/03/26/middle-east-conflict-rhetoric-actions-flout-laws-of-war http://www.hrw.org/tag/crisis-in-the-middle-east http://civiliansinconflict.org/press-releases/civic-calls-for-urgent-protection-of-civilians-amid-rising-casualties-across-the-middle-east/ http://www.genevawaterhub.org/news/water-under-fire-middle-east-renewed-attention-protection-civilian-infrastructure http://www.genevawaterhub.org/news/water-infrastructure-under-threat-ongoing-middle-east-conflict http://www.genevawaterhub.org/resources http://blogs.icrc.org/law-and-policy/2025/04/24/the-imperative-to-protect-water-and-water-systems-during-armed-conflict/   Lebanon: Humanitarian crisis deepens as displacement orders strain aid access   The Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) says that the human toll of hostilities continues to grow in Lebanon.   More than 1.1 million people – nearly one in five – are now displaced. More than 137,000 people, one third of whom are children, are sheltering in nearly 700 collective sites, many of them schools. Most displaced people are dispersed across host communities or informal settings, often with limited access to basic services.   The human toll continues to rise at an alarming pace. According to the Lebanese Ministry of Public Health nearly 1,500 people have been killed, including 129 children, and over 4,400 injured, among them over 400 children, between 2 March and 5 April.   The United Nations’ call remains urgent and consistent: de-escalate now; respect international humanitarian law by protecting civilians, including humanitarian and health workers; ensure safe, unimpeded access; and fund the response. Only a third of the Flash Appeal – which covers the period from March to May – is funded, with less than $100 million of the $308.3M required having been received.   The humanitarian operating environment remains increasingly constrained due to expanding and repeated displacement orders, hostilities and attacks on civilian infrastructure, including key bridges. This continues to significantly hamper humanitarian access.   OCHA reiterates that rapid, safe and unimpeded humanitarian access to affected people must be guaranteed. Civilian infrastructure – including transport networks, water systems and power stations – is protected under international humanitarian law. The safety of civilians, displaced populations and humanitarian staff must be ensured at all times.   6 Apr 2026 22:17   Lebanon: Attacks on healthcare ‘cannot become the new norm’ says World Health Organization. (UN News)   At least four people were killed and a further 39 injured in a strike on Sunday near Rafik Hariri University Hospital – Lebanon’s largest public health facility.   The incident adds to growing concern over the proximity of hostilities to critical health infrastructure, the World Health Organization (WHO) warns.   The UN health agency has verified a sustained pattern of attacks on health care. Between 28 and 31 March alone, 11 incidents were recorded – an average of two per day – affecting multiple facilities across southern Lebanon and Beirut.   Since the escalation began on 28 February, a total of 92 attacks on health facilities, medical transport, personnel and warehouses have been verified, resulting in 53 deaths and 137 injuries.   “These acts cannot become the new norm,” said WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, stressing that “the protection of health care is not optional, but a universal obligation.”   “As Israel expands its military operations, I call on all parties to uphold their responsibility under international humanitarian law and ensure health facilities, health workers and patients are proactively protected.” Healthcare is #NotATarget.   http://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2026/03/lebanon-israel-must-halt-attacks-on-healthcare-workers-medical-facilities-and-first-responders/ http://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2026/03/israel-irans-missile-strike-that-killed-nine-civilians-must-be-investigated-as-a-war-crime-new-investigation/   Iran: Civilians under fire as hostilities continue   In Iran, civilians and civilian infrastructure continue to bear the brunt of the escalation.   As of yesterday, 25 March, the Iranian Ministry of Health reports a total of over 23,000 casualties including 1,801 children and 4,150 women. Casualties are reported in at least 20 provinces, but the highest numbers are reported in Tehran and Hormozgan.   Reports also indicate significant damage to essential services. As of today, the Iranian Red Crescent Society (IRCS) has reported damage to more than 87,000 civilian residential and commercial units, 600 schools, 289 health facilities, 17 Iranian Red Crescent Centers, 3 helicopters and 48 emergency vehicles.   Humanitarians are not immune to these hostilities. As of yesterday, the Ministry of Health reported 23 deaths and 112 injuries among health care workers, while IRCS reports one death and 14 injuries among relief workers as of today.   Hostilities have forced people to relocate to safer areas, increasing their vulnerability and often disrupting their access to essential support, basic services and livelihoods.   http://www.unocha.org/news/todays-top-news-lebanon-occupied-palestinian-territory-iran-sudan-cuba http://www.unicef.org/press-releases/humanitarian-crisis-children-deepens-after-one-month-war-middle-east http://www.unicef.org/press-releases/average-19000-children-displaced-daily-escalating-violence-uproots-20-cent-lebanons http://www.unhcr.org/news/briefing-notes/unhcr-calls-urgent-support-lebanon-humanitarian-catastrophe-looms http://reliefweb.int/report/iran-islamic-republic/escalation-middle-east-and-beyond-humanitarian-response http://www.ifrc.org/article/through-rubble-and-loss-iranian-red-crescent-teams-continue-saving-lives-amid-escalating http://www.ifrc.org/article/between-sirens-and-hope-magen-david-adom-israel-continues-provide-emergency-relief   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/2026/04/iran-fact-finding-mission-calls-parties-devastating-regional-conflict-end http://www.ohchr.org/en/press-releases/2026/03/civilians-bear-brunt-reckless-war-middle-east-says-turk http://www.ohchr.org/en/statements-and-speeches/2026/03/turk-statement-protection-children-and-educational-institutions http://www.ipsnews.net/2026/03/the-extremely-dangerous-and-unpredictable-situation-in-middle-east-and-beyond/ 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/2026/04/iran-recruitment-of-child-soldiers-as-young-as-12-amounts-to-a-war-crime/ 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.caritas.org/iran/advocacy/iran-caritas-supports-popes-appeal-for-peace-through-dialogue/ 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).   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
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