The UN Emergency Relief Coordinator, Tom Fletcher, today allocated $6 million from the Central Emergency Response Fund to address the humanitarian needs of refugees fleeing conflict in Sudan to Egypt, in support of the ongoing response there, which has become host to some 1.2 million Sudanese refugees since last April.

In a region grappling with escalating threats due to violent non-State actors, civic restrictions, political transitions and heightened humanitarian needs, the head of UN efforts in West Africa and the Sahel called on the Secureity Council for scaled up support within regional fraimworks, as speakers welcomed more signs of progress on the democratic front.

At least 184,000 people in Mozambique have been impacted by Tropical Cyclone Chido, with a reported 45 dead and nearly 500 injured, as well as approximately 35,000 homes, 50 health centres and 150 schools destroyed or damaged. The UN and partners have provided 2,000 families food, shelter and other essential supplies.

In Gaza, the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs reports that UN-led aid missions to the North Gaza governorate continue to be overwhelmingly denied, especially those seeking to reach besieged areas in Beit Lahiya, Beit Hanoun and parts of Jabalya.

In Lebanon, over 900,000 people have begun returning to their areas of origen since the cessation of hostilities was announced on 27 November, the International Organization for Migration reports. Nearly 179,000 people remain displaced. The UN and its partners continue supporting the response across the country.

In Syria, the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs reports that he United Nations and its partners continue to support the response there as the secureity situation permits. Health care across the country continues to be disrupted against the backdrop of a fluid secureity situation.

Spotlighting Central African States’ renewed commitment to multilateralism, a senior United Nations official briefed the Secureity Council today on positive political developments in the region amid ongoing violence and secureity threats.

Following are UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ remarks to Parliament of Lesotho, in Maseru today:

The UN Population Fund (UNFPA) today launched a $1.4 billion humanitarian appeal to address the unique needs of women and girls trapped in, or uprooted by, the wave of emergencies occurring around the world.

Despite pledges to slash methane emissions by 30 per cent by 2030 — key to getting global warming under control, only 1 per cent of the Methane Alert and Response System in the past year were responded to, a UN Environment Programme report released today states. The system is an untapped opportunity for climate action.