This is a summary of what was said by UNICEF spokesperson James Elder – to whom quoted text may be attributed – at today's press briefing at the Palais des Nations in Geneva
In Government of Yemen (GoY) -controlled areas, recent central bank policies temporarily boosted the Yemeni riyal’s value and slightly lowered food prices; however, these gains are unlikely to be sustained without comprehensive economic reforms to address trade deficits, foreign exchange reserve gaps, and foreign currency shortages.
The sixth year of flooding in South Sudan combined with aid cuts is exacerbating one of the world’s worst hunger crises with newly arrived refugees fleeing conflict in Sudan resorting to foraging for food and eating leaves to survive, Save the Children said.
South Sudan is facing overlapping crises, including rising violence, an economic downturn, and climate-related disasters. The crises are fueling food insecurity and malnutrition. The ongoing conflict in Sudan has exacerbated the dire situation, forcing over 1.2 million people into South Sudan.
The humanitarian situation in the occupied Palestinian territory (oPt) has escalated into an unprecedented crisis following the events of October 2023. Nearly 90% of Gaza’s population (approximately 1.9 million people) are internally displaced due to ongoing hostilities.
Since the start of the conflict, some 164,000 people have sought refuge in neighboring countries, including an estimated 33,000 in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), 35,000 in Ethiopia, 70,000 in Sudan, and 26,000 in Uganda.
Food insecurity remained alarmingly high in August 2025 despite a temporary respite of 8 percentage points, month on month, with 62% of households reporting inadequate food consumption, nearly the same level as August 2024.
Civilians in El Fasher are enduring relentless attacks, acute hunger and cholera, underscoring the urgent need for an immediate cessation of hostilities, protection and safe humanitarian access.
Between 31 August and 5 September 2025, Sierra Leone experienced devastating flash floods across 17 communities in seven districts including Bonthe, Kenema, Bo, Moyamba, Kono, Falaba, and Koinadugu.
Between 17 and 27 July 2025, REACH conducted a mixed-methods assessment in Markath (Bilkey), Nukta (Dengjok), and Thokwath (Gakdong), targeting three population groups: returnees from Ethiopia and Sudan (arrived within the past 12 months), IDPs from Nasir and Ulang (arrived since March 2025), and the host community.
As the Israeli government’s siege starves the people of Gaza, aid workers are now joining the same food lines, risking being shot just to feed their families. With supplies now totally depleted, humanitarian organisations are witnessing their own colleagues and partners waste away before their eyes.
After more than ten years of conflict, Yemen is again on the brink of humanitarian disaster, standing as the world’s third most food insecure context. As of September this year, 18.1 million people are estimated to face acute hunger (IPC Phase 3 and above).
South Sudan continues to face a dire humanitarian crisis fueled by the convergence of armed conflict, mass displacement, climate-related shocks, food insecurity, recurrent disease outbreaks, and economic decline factors that together have devastated millions of lives.
More than 50,600 households (approximately 354,400 people) in 19 governorates have been affected by heavy rains and flooding since 1 August. This includes 157 reported casualties, including 62 fatalities and 95 injuries.
Nationally, over 6.9 million (over 4.7 million in Punjab, 171,000 people in Sindh, 1.6 million in KP and 356,000 in GB provinces) people were affected by floods since 26 June.
Famine in Gaza Governorate was declared on 22 August 2025, with over 500,000 people trapped in famine conditions, documenting 317 malnutrition-related deaths since October 2023, including 119 children, by 27 August.
Despite urgent needs, 62 per cent of UNICEF’s response remains unfunded. Without timely support, the most vulnerable children risk missing access to critical, lifesaving services.
