World News in Brief: Violence displaces thousands in Haiti and Lebanon, Gaza updates, UN food agency delivers in Ebola-stricken DR Congo

Published 26 June 2026 · india

The fighting in Artibonite last week led more than three quarters of the displaced to seek refuge in the commune of Marchand Dessalines. Forced returns

The fighting in Artibonite last week led more than three quarters of the displaced to seek refuge in the commune of Marchand Dessalines. Forced returns Armed groups have also clashed in the West department in Cité Soleil since 13 June, displacing more than 5,000 people and forcing the non-governmental organization Médecins Sans Frontières to suspend activities at a maternity facility. OCHA also notes an increase in forced returns to Haiti, with 24 per cent of all forcibly returned migrants in 2026 being women and nearly eight per cent children. The UN released $140.5 million in emergency funding in April to reach one million people in Haiti, but OCHA noted that the $880 million Humanitarian Appeal for 2026 is currently only 27 per cent funded, with $240 million received to date. Lebanon: Displacement continues despite ceasefire With the recent ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon, the number of people in collective shelters continues to decline as displaced persons return home, OCHA reports. Tweet URL But, the ceasefire has been fragile, and more than 57,000 people remain in 516 collective shelters.

Many remain hesitant to return to their homes due to fears of renewed hostilities, the presence of Israel Defense Forces and extensive destruction, according to OCHA. Lifesaving assistance Despite continued reports of ceasefire violations by the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), the UN and its partners continue to deliver lifesaving assistance. Since the escalation of fighting on 2 March, UN partners have provided more than 181,000 blankets, 141,000 mattresses, more than 162,000 hygiene kits, 92,000 menstrual hygiene kits and more than 3.7 million litres of bottled drinking water to communities affected by the conflict. “We urge all to adhere fully to the ceasefire and refrain from any escalation, particularly during this delicate period of ongoing negotiations,” UN Spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric said on Friday in New York. Gaza: Clean water, healthcare remain lifelines for civilians The UN is stepping up water, sanitation and health support in Gaza as civilians continue to face worsening humanitarian conditions. On Friday, the UN Spokesperson said UN agencies are carrying out pest-control campaigns across populated areas of Gaza, but warned that “skin diseases and other related health conditions remain widespread”.

He shared that the UN Development Programme (UNDP) has delivered five additional water trucks while the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has brought in water treatment chemicals, helping provide more clean water to communities. “Water trucking remains a backup option,” Mr. Dujarric said, emphasising that repairing Gaza's damaged water network is essential. Aid reaches tens of thousands Humanitarian partners provided psychosocial care, legal aid and case management to nearly 50,000 people last week, while almost 20,000 others received targeted assistance and cash support to help meet basic needs. There are early signs of agricultural recovery, the UN Spokesperson said, although about 80 per cent of Gaza's greenhouse infrastructure remains damaged or unusable. The latest report from UN Palestinian refugee agency UNRWA highlights the scale of the humanitarian crisis, with around 76,000 displaced people sheltering in UNRWA facilities and thousands more relying on the agency for health care, clean water and other essential services. DR Congo: UN food agency scales up aid as Ebola spreads As Ebola continues to spread across eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), the UN food agency is expanding assistance and logistical support, warning that hunger could undermine efforts to contain the outbreak.