UNOCHA – United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs
Occupied Palestinian Territory
Fire risks mount in Gaza displacement shelters
OCHA reports that families continue to live in overcrowded shelters, which pose severe fire risks. Families cook, sleep and store their belongings in small spaces where they also use open fire – since November 2025, our partners have recorded at least 12 fires in these shelters.
In the ten days leading up to 17 February, humanitarians provided shelter assistance to 85 families in Deir al Balah and Khan Younis whose shelters were damaged by a fire in Gaza city.
Partners have been raising fire safety awareness among displaced families to reduce the risk.
Displaced families need adequate shelter to protect them from the elements and provide more privacy. Humanitarian partners reiterate the urgent need to move towards more sustainable solutions.
In many areas within Gaza, humanitarian movements still require coordination with Israeli authorities. Of 67 movements coordinated between 12 and 19 February, 43 were approved and nine were denied outright. Eight missions were approved but faced impediments, of which six were fully accomplished. Organizers cancelled seven other missions for operational and security reasons.
Humanitarian partners coordinated the entry of fuel, medical supplies, animal fodder and hygiene kits into Gaza. Teams also facilitated the medical evacuation of patients through Rafah and Kerem Shalom crossings.
In the West Bank, OCHA warns of the continued violence and other coercive practices by Israeli forces and settler communities resulting in casualties, destruction of property and displacement.
Between 3 and 16 February, Israeli forces killed three Palestinians, bringing the total number this year to nine, including two children. Palestinian security forces killed one Palestinian child in Tammoun, while attempting to arrest his father.
During the same period, at least 86 Israeli settler attacks were recorded, during which over 60 Palestinians were injured, and some 146 people were displaced. People in 60 communities were affected by the attacks.
Overall, since January 2023, and as of 16 February 2026, some 880 Palestinian families – over 4,700 people – have been displaced across the West Bank due to settler attacks and access restrictions.
*Donations made to UN Crisis Relief help UN agencies and humanitarian NGOs reach people in the Occupied Palestinian Territory with urgent support.
South Sudan
UN humanitarian chief in South Sudan to press for civilian protection
Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator Tom Fletcher today began a five-day visit to South Sudan to draw international attention to the acute but largely forgotten humanitarian crisis there.
Fletcher travelled directly to Malakal in Upper Nile State to engage with local communities and their leaders, as well South Sudanese returnees who have fled the conflict in neighbouring Sudan. He also met local humanitarians on the frontline of the response.
Fletcher is also scheduled to visit Jonglei State, where a recent flare-up in conflict has further intensified the humanitarian needs.
During his mission, Fletcher will advocate for the protection of civilians and humanitarian workers and call for urgent support to the humanitarian response, and concerted action to address the drivers of the crisis.
Democratic Republic of Congo
Clashes displace thousands in eastern DRC
The humanitarian community remains deeply concerned by continued clashes in several villages across the Fizi and Uvira territories in South Kivu province in the east of the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Since Monday, violence has displaced at least 15,000 people from Lemera and surrounding villages, according to humanitarian partners. Residents, mostly women and children, are fleeing into the bush for safety, while others remain confined to their homes.
OCHA and partners continue to engage with all parties to facilitate the safe movement of civilians and humanitarian teams, as well as the safe movement of supplies to scale up the aid operations.
The humanitarian community continues to urge all parties to comply with their obligations under international humanitarian law, including the protection of civilians and civilian infrastructure, and to facilitate safe, sustained and unhindered humanitarian access.
The 2026 Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan for the DRC requires US$1.4 billion to assist 7.3 million of the country’s most vulnerable people. To date, the plan is 10 per cent funded – more support is urgently required to maintain humanitarian operations and prevent further deterioration of the crisis.
*Donations made to UN Crisis Relief help UN agencies and humanitarian NGOs reach people in the Democratic Republic of the Congo with urgent support.
Posted on 20 February 2026
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