UN GENEVA PRESS BRIEFING

5 August 2025

Alessandra Vellucci of the United Nations Information Service (UNIS) in Geneva, chaired the hybrid briefing, attended by spokespersons and representatives of the United Nations Children’s Fund, UN Women, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, and the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs.

Situation in Sudan

Sheldon Yett, United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) Representative in Sudan, speaking from Port Sudan, said over the past week, he had travelled from Port Sudan to Aj Jazeera and Khartoum State, witnessing the impact that the world’s largest humanitarian crisis was having on children and families. During the mission he saw homes destroyed, a UNICEF warehouse in Khartoum looted, and uprooted children and communities. He also saw teams and partners working tirelessly to provide healthcare and deliver lifesaving aid, often in perilous and uncertain conditions. Mr. Yett had visited Jebel Aulia, one of the two localities in Khartoum State identified as being at extreme risk of famine. Jebel Aulia and Khartoum localities carried 37 per cent of the State’s malnutrition burden and were the most impacted by the ongoing violence and access constraints. Mr. Yett witnessed firsthand how children had limited, but growing, access to safe water, food, healthcare and learning. Malnutrition was rife, and many of the children were reduced to just skin and bones. Children and families in the neighborhoods were sheltered in small, damaged or unfinished buildings, where the few functioning health and nutrition treatment centres were highly congested.

Security remained precarious but was improving. After months of effort, UNICEF finally had access to the community, and continued to support health and nutrition services, water and sanitation, and reposition critical supplies where they were most needed. UNICEF were also creating safe spaces for children to learn, play and heal. However, with recent funding cuts, many partners in Khartoum State and elsewhere in Sudan had been forced to scale back. UNICEF were stepping up but could not do it alone. There needed to be resources and sustained access to be able to rapidly scale up in areas which could now be reached. The record-high admission rates of children receiving treatment for severe acute malnutrition in places like Jebel Aulia and large parts of Aj Jazeera state were clear signs that the needs were staggering in the newly accessible areas, particularly in areas on the frontlines currently cut off from aid, including Al Fasher, Dilling and Kadugli. There had to be continued calls for sustained diplomatic efforts for peace.

The full statement can be viewed here.

Salvator Nkurunziza, UN Women Representative for Sudan, speaking from Port Sudan, said

conflict, displacement, and economic collapse had pushed over 30 million people into acute food insecurity. Since the conflict started in mid-April 2023, women and girls had been disproportionately affected by escalating food crisis. According to the latest Gender Snapshot by the GiHA Working Group, 75 percent of female-headed households in Sudan were now food insecure. Today, female-headed households were three times more likely to be food insecure than those led by men. This was the result of systemic inequalities, compounded by conflict and displacement. Women were increasingly left to head households alone, due to the death, disappearance, or forced displacement of male family members. Yet, they faced the greatest barriers to food, income, and aid. Nearly half of all female-headed households reported poor food consumption; one-third had access to an acceptable diet; and more than 70 percent of women nationally did not meet minimum dietary diversity, putting maternal and child health at grave risk.

But amid this crisis, women were also powerful agents of change. Women-led organizations were reaching last-mile communities and saving lives, yet remained underfunded and excluded from key decision-making. One women-led organization operating across eight states was recently forced to shut down more than half of its food kitchens, due to funding constraints. UN Women called for the following urgent actions: prioritize female-headed households and at-risk groups; fund and elevate women-led food support initiatives; integrate women-led organizations into decision-making at all levels of the humanitarian response; link food assistance to protection and recovery; and track gender outcomes. It was important not to wait for famine to be declared before action was taken. With bold, gender-responsive action, the tide could be turned.

The full press release can be viewed here.

Alessandra Vellucci for the United Nations Information Service (UNIS), reminded the media that OCHA’s Director of Operations, Edem Wosornu, was in Sudan this week to assess the humanitarian situation and meet with local officials, humanitarian partners and people affected by the crisis.

Responding to a question from the media regarding the key issues preventing access, Sheldon Yett, United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) Representative in Sudan, said there were many reasons for the lack of access. Sudan was a huge country on the cusp of the rainy season, and many roads were already inaccessible. Furthermore, each delivery needed to be negotiated with parties to the conflict. Additionally, despite months of trying, UNICEF had been unable to get supplies to areas still under seige. There had also been instances where aid convoys had been hit and destroyed.

Mr. Yett said the emotional scar tissue on the children of Sudan was massive. He had met children who had been displaced multiple times; not knowing where they were going next was a major issue. They had not received the educational or nutritional support required. 80 percent of children in the country were not in school; this would have an impact for generations.

Responding to additional questions regarding funding, Mr Yett said only a quarter of the funds required for Sudan had been received. Funding had not come at the degree required for the extent of the crisis. Regarding reasons for malnutrition, UNICEF had not been able to access Al Fasher to deliver supplies there, as well as other areas due to growing insecurity. There was also the compounding effects of poor water sanitation and cholera. Markets were also not functioning, and children had not been able to go to health centers to receive treatment. Malnutrition could not wait; children needed to be given access to treatments immediately or they would die.

Salvator Nkurunziza, UN Women Representative for Sudan, said the war was still ongoing in certain areas which were still under siege. This impacted humanitarian assistance and social services. Humanitarian assistance was still less than 25 percent funded, predominately due to financial cuts. The cuts also impacted UN organizations’ capacities in terms of staff and workers to be deployed according to the needs.

Jens Laerke, for the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), said the global humanitarian response plan, coordinated by OCHA was asking 4.16 billion for this year and up to now had received 23 percent. However, access was also needed. The epicenter of this crisis was still in Darfur. It was now one year since famine had been confirmed in the Zamzam refugee camp and no supplies had reached that area since. Al Fasher remained under siege which was the reason for no access. They could not wait another year. Access was needed now.

Responding to additional questions, Mr. Yett said UNICEF had looked at all possibilities for delivering aid; air drops did not seem to be a realistic option right now. It needed to be ensured that the aid reached those who needed it most, including women and children, not those who were perpetuating the conflict. UNICEF continued to call on all parties to the conflict to let supplies in and ensure all those received the humanitarian support they required.

Mr. Nkurunziza said 30.4 million were in need of humanitarian assistance; out of these 15.3 million were women and girls. The possibility of airdrops could be explored, but it was still an area where fighting continued; it was possible airdrops could be intercepted before reaching those who needed it. It was a dire situation which required the attention of the international community and the media. UN Women continued to advocate for real access and support for women-led organizations, who remained on the frontline providing assistance.

Answering a question from the media about recent fighting, Mr. Yett said reports of casualties were received on a regular basis but they did not have verified information just yet. Darfur was the epicenter of hunger and humanitarian needs and was the area which was most concerning. Mr. Nkurunziza also said it was difficult to have accurate information. A report would be published in coming weeks on food insecurity and the most affected regions. There were around 15.3 million women and girls in need of assistance, and it was estimated that 5.4 million were in internally displaced persons camps.

UNHCR urges Pakistan to exempt Afghans with international protection needs from involuntary return

Babar Baloch, for the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), said UNHCR had expressed its concern over Pakistan's intention to forcibly return Afghan refugees, including registered Afghan refugees holding proof of registration (PR) cards. On 31 July, Pakistan confirmed that Afghan refugees would be repatriated under its ongoing “All foreigners repatriation plan.” Over the past days, UNHCR had received reports of arrest and detention of Afghans across the country, including those of registered refugees holding PR cards. The number of registered refugees currently in Pakistan was 1.3 million, out of more than two million Afghans who were currently in Pakistan. UNHCR acknowledged and appreciated Pakistan's generosity in hosting refugees for over 40 years amid its own challenges. However, given those holding registered refugee cards had been recognized as refugees for decades, their forcible return was contrary to Pakistan's long standing humanitarian approach and would constitute a violation of the principle of non-refoulement. UNHCR remained particularly concerned about women and girls forced to return to a country where their human rights were at risk, as well as other groups who might be in danger if they were forced to return.

UNCHR called on the authorities in Pakistan to ensure that any return of Afghans was voluntary, safe and dignified. UNHCR had continued to seek an extension of validity of the PR card and welcomed the additional one-month grace period that Pakistan had granted. UNHCR strongly urged the government of Pakistan to apply measures to exempt Afghans with continued international protection needs from involuntary return. This year, the large-scale return of Afghans from neighboring countries had put immense pressure on basic services, housing and livelihood goods and the host communities themselves, worsening an already dire humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan. This year alone, over 2.1 million Afghans had already returned or have been forced to return to Afghanistan, including 2.1 million from both and, Iran and Pakistan.

Responding to questions, Babar Baloch, for the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), said UNHCR were in continuous contact with the authorities, trying to highlight the devastating humanitarian situation in Afghanistan that returnees could face. Pakistan were now putting pressure on documented Afghans who had been in the country for decades, and this was a new development. Already in 2006, the registration exercises in Pakistan had intended to provide Afghans with protection. UNHCR were appealing for compassion and the continued protection for those who required it. Today there were more than 23 million Afghans inside the country who needed humanitarian support. It was a huge pressure on the Afghan structures and for humanitarian organizations to support those returning. The funding cuts were also impacting returning Afghans.

Responding to additional questions, Mr. Baloch said currently in Pakistan there were 1.3 million registered refugees, with the majority of them in refugee camps. Of those who had been returning to Afghanistan; 1.7 million had returned from Iran through deportation, and had been travelling back to urban centers. Those pressured back from Pakistan could also return to more urban areas. UNHCR had helped Afghans reestablish their lives over many return periods, but this was difficult. It was a huge challenge for those pressured to return. There was little chance for this population to reestablish themselves. For instance, how could girls resume education in Afghanistan? Mr. Baloch said that around 4 July, 50,000 refugees a day were returning from Iran. Currently, it was above 20,000 per day. 1.7 million had returned from Iran this year so far, with the majority being those who were deported.

Mr. Baloch said the registration card was a recognized, legal document, which had been valid until the end of June this year. Pakistan had been regularly revising and renewing the documents. The current one-month grace period for Afghans was welcomed, but their need for long-term protection had not changed. UNHCR were ready to work with the Pakistani authorities to renew the registration documents and put in place a system for Afghans already living in the country.

Gaza

Responding to questions from the media on the situation of aid in Gaza, Jen Laerke, for the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), said while unilateral pauses meant that dozens of trucks of aid per day were now entering Gaza, the needs inside the Strip were such that there should be hundreds and hundreds of trucks, every day, for months, possibly years to come. Gaza was now on the brink of famine and to recover from this would take a long time. While some aid had entered, it remained far insufficient; there were massive needs, with people dying every day. OCHA welcomed the unilateral pauses and would do all they could to get aid in and have it distributed safely. Commercial supplies were welcome news; aid alone could not fix the problem. There were thousands of tons of aid, standing just outside of Gaza which had already been paid for by the donors. It was the UN’s job to get it there, but they were not able to do so.

James Elder, for the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), said it would be a mistake to relax or be hopeful for the current drops of humanitarian aid. There was a sense through the world’s press that things were improving, however 96 percent of households in Gaza still had insufficient water. Everyone should now realize that unless there was sustained humanitarian aid, there would be horrific results and those would be shown in the next Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC). There needed to be much more aid, more routes and safety on the ground. When food came in which supported 30,000 children, there were still 970,000 children not getting enough. It was a drop in the ocean. There had been a slight change in Israel’s intent to allow water in Gaza. Mr. Elder said he would gather more information in this regard.

Responding to a further question, on the Israeli Government’s claims that children in Gaza were not starving, Mr. Elder said the United Nations had comprehensive data and eyes on the ground and both those things spoke to a horrific situation. The vast majority of children who were malnourished were likely to die of another cause before they reached hospital. UNICEF would like to feel that after 22 months of an overwhelming amount of data, testimonials and footage from the ground, facts spoke for themselves. And the facts were that there had been three full aid blockades, and a humanitarian population in unprecedented levels of need, and bombardments.

Responding to another question on the visit of Trump advisor Steve Whitkoff, Mr. Laerke said he was unaware if there had been contact with UN agencies. There was a continuous dialogue with the United States and any attempts to create the conditions for a cease fire were welcomed. Mr. Laerke agreed with President Trump who said there was real starvation in Gaza; this was worth remembering.

Announcements

Alessandra Vellucci for the United Nations Information Service (UNIS), said that the Opening Press Conference, for the Second Part of the Fifth Session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee on Plastic Pollution (INC-5.2), would take place on Tuesday, 5 August at 1:15 p.m, in the press room and online.

The media would hear from the following speakers: Inger Andersen, Executive Director, United Nations Environment Programme; Luis Vayas Valdivieso, Chair of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee; Katrin Schneeberger, Director of the Federal Office for the Environment, Switzerland; and Jyoti Mathur-Filipp, Executive Secretary of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee.

During the Conference, if media were working late or on the weekend, they did not need to request permission for longer hours, as there was an agreement in place with security. There was a draft schedule for the meeting online, which was regularly updated.

Ms. Vellucci also said that tomorrow, 6 August,was the International Day of Awareness of the Special Development Needs and Challenges of Landlocked Developing Countries. The Secretary-General was currently in Turkmenistan, attending the third United Nations Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries. He had delivered remarks at the opening session, in which he addressed the challenges facing landlocked developing countries, and spoke about, solutions to overcome these obstacles.

***

The webcast for this briefing is available here

TOPICS


UNICEF - James Elder with Sheldon Yett, UNICEF’s Representative in Sudan (From Port Sudan) - Situation of children in Sudan, following his return from Khartoum and Jebel Aulia.

UN Women - Salvator Nkurunziza, UN Women Representative for Sudan (From Port Sudan):

Situation of female-headed households facing the risk of severe food insecurity in Sudan, based on the Gender Snapshot: Women, Food Insecurity, and Famine Risk in Sudan.

UNHCR - Babar Baloch - UNHCR urges Pakistan to exempt Afghans with international protection needs from involuntary return

OCHA - Jens Laerke on Gaza