Grave concerns over a growing humanitarian crisis in the Middle East

The American-Israeli operation has been ramping up in recent days. Both militaries have signaled they would start striking ‘deeper’ into Iran. 

While the military actions have dominated headlines, the United Nations held ‘grave concerns’ over the humanitarian situation. 

Emergency Relief Coordinator Tom Fletcher gave an update from New York on the situation after an update from those on the ground.

"I do think this is a moment of grave peril right now. We're seeing these crises escalate rapidly, with consequences that are out of control for those instigating the conflict.”

"Authorities there are reporting more than a thousand deaths and damage to over a hundred civilian sites… around 100,000 people have been internally displaced in the last week."

There were also fears that the impacts would continue to spill into the wider region. 

For example, in Lebanon, more than 100 people have been killed, hundreds more injured, and around 100,000 seeking refuge in shelters.

Fletcher raised concerns about US and Israeli motivations and questioned why more aid provisions were not being offered. 

“We're seeing staggering amounts of money, reportedly a billion dollars a day, funding this war, spent on destruction while politicians continue to boast about cutting aid budgets for those in greatest need.”

The UN was then scrambling to get ahead of the conflict and prepare as best they could.

“We're pre-positioning supplies… identifying alternative supply routes, and we're preparing rapid funding options, including from the Central Emergency Response Fund."

It also continued its calls for a de-escalation of the situation, and asked for ‘genuine dialogue and negotiations’ in line with the Charter of the United Nations.

However, earlier, US President Donald Trump posted to social media and said, ‘there will be no deal with Iran, except UNCONDITIONAL SURRENDER!’

Of course, this was not the only conflict of concern. 

Fletcher was concerned this war would detract attention from other important topics across the world. 

“There will be even less attention for crises from DRC to Sudan to South Sudan... to Ukraine and beyond.”

“We sometimes hear that these conflicts have been ended. Let me repeat that they have not.”