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March 19, 2026 Peace and security

Heavy airstrikes, which have been ongoing since February 28, have caused numerous civilian casualties and widespread destruction in Iran in at least 20 provinces, including Tehran, Isfahan and Kermanshah, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said.

Since the beginning of the war, more than 1,200 people have died and over 17,000 have been wounded.

Millions of people have fled the affected areas. An estimated 3.2 million people are internally displaced.

Residential buildings, schools, medical facilities, and cultural heritage sites have been hit. Humanitarian organizations warn that as the crisis deepens, the need for shelter and humanitarian aid is rapidly increasing.

125,000 people fled Lebanon to Syria.

Meanwhile, according to the International Organization for Migration (IOM), more than 125,000 people have fled Lebanon to Syria. Most of them are Syrian citizens, along with approximately 7,000 Lebanese.

The organization also notes that half of all refugees are children.

IOM warned that many families are arriving with minimal or no resources and called on the international community to urgently provide assistance to those arriving in Syria.

Key destinations are already under severe strain, and a further influx of refugees could pose a significant challenge to host communities.

Rising tensions in the Persian Gulf

Two new incidents involving vessels were reported today in waters off the coast of Qatar and the United Arab Emirates.

At the same time, gas prices rose sharply on Thursday following an attack, allegedly carried out by Iran, on Ras Laffan, Qatar's largest energy complex. This was in response to Israel's strike on the South Pars gas field in Tehran the day before.

In one incident, a vessel east of Ras Laffan was struck, but the crew was reportedly unharmed. In another, a ship east of Khor Fakkan caught fire after being struck by a shell, according to the UK Merchant Marine Administration.

Since the escalation began on February 28, 22 incidents have been recorded in the region, 16 of which have been classified as attacks. Ship crews are advised to exercise increased caution.

The UN Maritime Agency resumed its emergency session.

The Council of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) resumed its extraordinary session on risks to shipping and seafarers in the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz.

Opening the meeting on Wednesday, IMO Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez expressed grave concern over attacks on merchant ships that have killed and injured seafarers, and warned that some 20,000 crew members remain at risk.

He stressed that "any attack on peaceful seafarers or civilian vessels is completely unacceptable" and called for de-escalation and safe passage for the crews.

Delegates are expected to continue their discussions on practical measures to ensure maritime safety and the protection of seafarers and the marine environment.

Rafah Crossing reopens for medical evacuations

In Gaza, the Rafah crossing has reopened for medical evacuations of patients leaving the enclave for treatment. However, the number of those allowed in and out is limited.

The UNHCR notes that the scale of the evacuation should be significantly broader.

"As we have stated previously, the opening of the crossings must be meaningful," said Olga Cherevko, a representative of the Directorate, calling for the provision of both the movement of people and the delivery of humanitarian and commercial goods.

She warned that the situation in Gaza remains dire, with severe restrictions making it difficult to provide aid to the population.

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March 19, 2026 UN

The United Nations has announced the death of Nicholas Haysom, the Secretary-General's Special Representative for South Sudan – one of the UN's most experienced and respected crisis diplomats.

Nicholas Haysom's career has ranged from serving as an adviser to Nelson Mandela in post-apartheid South Africa to playing a key role in peacekeeping missions in Africa, Asia and the Middle East.

The South African lawyer and diplomat, appointed to his latest post in 2021, has dedicated his career to promoting democratic governance, facilitating constitutional reform, reconciliation, and supporting peace processes. In the 1990s, he served as Mandela's chief legal adviser and later held a number of senior positions within the UN, including leading missions in Somalia and Afghanistan, as well as serving in Iraq and the Executive Office of the Secretary-General.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres Guterres called Haysom "a tireless peacemaker and steadfast defender of UN values," noting his contributions to South Africa's democratic transformation and his work in the world's most challenging regions. According to Guterres, Haysom combined deep legal knowledge with extensive political experience and always strived to improve people's lives.

"The UN mourns the loss of a distinguished colleague, friend, and mentor. His legacy will live on – in the peace processes he championed and the institutions he strengthened," the Secretary-General said in a statement.

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March 19, 2026 Peace and security

The escalating conflicts in Iran and Pakistan, along with socioeconomic hardships in Afghanistan itself, have dramatically worsened the situation for millions of Afghans, according to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). In an interview with the UN News Service, UNHCR spokesman Babar Baloch described the situation as "very alarming indeed."

According to Baloch, Afghanistan has faced numerous severe humanitarian crises, but new regional upheavals have increased the pressure on returning refugees and internally displaced persons to the extreme. In recent years alone, more than five million Afghans have returned from Iran and Pakistan, many of whom were forced to do so.

"Thousands of people have been arriving in Afghanistan since the start of the conflict in Iran, effectively moving from one conflict to another," he noted.

The country is on the brink: food shortages, closed borders and new waves of displacement

Millions of Afghans remain without stable housing and income within their own country. According to the World Food Programme, logistical disruptions have led to rising malnutrition rates. The closed Pakistan-Afghanistan border and the deteriorating situation in Iran have deprived humanitarian organizations of key supply routes. Since the start of clashes between Pakistan and the de facto Afghan authorities, the number of newly displaced persons has exceeded 100,000.

"Every new turn of history makes the situation for Afghans only worse," Baloch said.

Women and girls are under double pressure

UNHCR is particularly concerned about the situation of Afghan women. Restrictions imposed by the country's de facto authorities have deprived them of education, employment, and freedom of movement.

"It's very, very difficult to be an Afghan woman right now," Baloch stressed, adding that local female UNHCR staff also face obstacles in their work.

Lack of funding puts aid delivery at risk

UNHCR warns that its humanitarian capacity is severely limited by a lack of funds. The 2026 appeal for Afghanistan, Iran, and Pakistan—over $400 million—is seriously underfunded.

"We have experience and the presence of specialists on the ground, but without resources we have nothing to help people with," Baloh emphasized.

Regional instability increases pressure

The crisis in Iran, according to preliminary estimates, has displaced between 600,000 and a million households, or more than 3.2 million people. In Lebanon, over a million new displaced persons have been registered, while the country is already hosting 1.3 million Syrian refugees.

"We see how quickly the conflict is spreading, and the consequences could affect the entire world," Baloch warned.

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March 18, 2026 Peace and security

UN humanitarian agencies and their partners are scaling up their assistance in Lebanon, where ongoing attacks are causing further casualties, destruction and massive displacement.

Lebanon: The number of internally displaced people has exceeded one million.

UN agencies are expanding emergency assistance across Lebanon, providing food, temporary shelter, clean water, medical care and nutrition support to families forced to flee their homes.

According to the latest data, the number of displaced people has exceeded one million, including approximately 367,000 children. People are fleeing their homes amid ongoing attacks, and many are seeking refuge in overcrowded schools and temporary shelters.

Israeli strikes on central Beirut reportedly resulted in further casualties and damage to residential areas, including the collapse of a multi-story building. Medical facilities were also damaged, with medical workers among the wounded.

Thousands of families across the country continue to flee war zones as attacks intensify. Many find themselves in overcrowded shelters with extremely limited access to basic services.

Humanitarian organizations are distributing essential supplies, including hygiene products and shelter, to those affected, while thousands of women and children are receiving specialized nutrition assistance.

Children at risk and calls for de-escalation

The situation of children is particularly concerning. According to UNICEF, they face increased risks to their health, safety, and psychological well-being due to the loss of access to basic services.

On-site provision of medical care, access to clean water, emergency kits and psychosocial support for children who have experienced traumatic events.

Humanitarian organizations are strengthening calls for an urgent de-escalation of the conflict, emphasizing the need to protect civilians, especially children.

Iran: UNICEF expands medical assistance to children

The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) is stepping up its support for the health system in Iran amid growing needs caused by the ongoing escalation and bombing by the US and Israel.

In coordination with national health authorities, mobile medical teams, primary care tents, and emergency medical kits have been deployed. Additional supplies are already being sent to the country. The aid is expected to reach at least 226,000 people.

UNICEF is also expanding psychosocial support programmes for children affected by the conflict.

Strike near nuclear facility in Iran

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) confirmed that a projectile-based incident destroyed a facility located approximately 350 meters from the Bushehr nuclear power plant reactor. However, the reactor itself was not damaged, and no personnel were injured.

IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi stressed that any attacks near nuclear facilities violate key nuclear safety principles and should not occur under any circumstances.

Education and cultural heritage under threat

UNESCO has announced emergency measures in the region amid escalating violence that is disrupting education systems and threatening cultural heritage sites. According to the organization, the crisis has affected tens of millions of children, with at least 65 schools damaged and many others closed or being used as shelters. In response, efforts are underway to create temporary learning spaces, expand online learning, and provide psychosocial support to students and teachers.

At the same time, measures are being taken to protect cultural sites. There are approximately 125 UNESCO World Heritage sites in 18 Middle Eastern countries. In Lebanon, artifacts are being moved to safe locations, and satellite monitoring is documenting damage.

UNESCO calls on all parties to respect international law and warns that further destruction of education, culture and media systems could have long-term consequences for the stability of the region.

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