This comes as more than 1.6 million people have recently returned to the capital, despite the persistent threat of infrastructure damage and explosive remnants of war.
UN spokesman Stéphane Dujarric told reporters at Monday’s press conference that the humanitarian situation remains serious, with “growing” needs and a huge shortfall in international support.
With insufficient funds
“We need adequate funding to provide humanitarian assistance in Sudan,” Dujarric stressed, noting that the Humanitarian Response Plan 2026 remains critically underfunded – just 16 percent.
The spokesperson also expressed grave concern over a recent drone attack on Al Jabalayn University Hospital in White Nile State, which reportedly killed 10 healthcare workers.
Since the start of the war, more than 200 attacks on health targets have been verified.
“Medical personnel and facilities must be protected, as required by international humanitarian law,” Dujarric reiterated, sounding the alarm that such attacks “continue to endanger civilians and deepen humanitarian needs across Sudan.”
On the diplomatic front, the Secretary-General’s Personal Envoy Pekka Haavisto continues a regional tour and will meet with key stakeholders in Nairobi and Cairo to explore “practical avenues to reduce tension.”
Ukraine: Deadly attacks in Odessa and Nikopol leave civilians dead and injured
A series of devastating attacks across Ukraine have left several civilians dead, including a child, and dozens more injured, according to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA).
Overnight, an attack on the port city of Odessa claimed the lives of several residents. OCHA reported that more than a dozen people were injured in the attack, which damaged homes, a daycare center and a local substation.
Damage to energy infrastructure has “disrupted the electricity supply” in the area. In response, UN humanitarian workers were “rapidly deployed to provide emergency assistance” to those affected by the destruction.
deadly strike
This follows a deadly drone attack on a market in the city of Nikopol, Dnieper region, on Saturday. That attack killed at least five civilians and wounded 25 others, including a 14-year-old girl.
At least eight people were hospitalized following the Nikopol attack, with some reported to be in serious condition.
The UN continues to monitor the humanitarian impact as attacks on infrastructure and high-traffic civilian areas continue to claim lives across the country.
UN aid workers say more than 25,000 people have been displaced from the Donetsk region so far this year.
“Our partners continue to support government-led evacuations, helping the most vulnerable people, including those with limited mobility,” the UN spokesperson said.
The humanitarian coordinator for Ukraine, Matthias Schmale, stressed that, according to international humanitarian law, residents must be protected in their daily activities.
Global water security requires urgent increase in funding, new report warns
The world faces a huge water investment gap: at least $200 billion is needed annually to secure resources for food, energy and the environment, according to a new report from the International Water Management Institute (IWMI).
IWMI, a non-profit scientific research organization and member of the CGIAR global partnership, works closely with the United Nations and provides regional support to the UN-SPIDER programme.
UN-SPIDER is a platform that ensures that all countries can access and use space-derived data for disaster management and emergency response.
Fifteen-year-old Vandana carefully tests the quality of drinking water in her village, confidently using a field testing kit.
Underfunded “Priority”
The study highlights that although water is the “top priority” for climate adaptation in most nations, it receives less than 10 percent of global climate financing.
Currently, a quarter of the world’s population lacks drinking water. The report notes that while public pledges from recent climate summits remain limited, private sector contributions and “own source” financing from local water users are becoming vital lifelines for irrigation and sanitation.
“Through this MoU, IWMI will work closely with WMO (the World Meteorological Organization) to strengthen preparedness for floods, droughts and water scarcity by leveraging early warning systems, innovative technologies, tools and applied research,” said Mark Smith, Director General of IWMI, highlighting the importance of integrated action.
Experts warn that without systemic changes to the way water projects are financed, growing water insecurity will continue to threaten global food systems and biodiversity.