UN Geneva Press Briefing
Alessandra Vellucci, Director of the United Nations Information Service in Geneva, chaired a hybrid press briefing, which was attended by the spokespersons and representatives of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, the World Health Organization, the World Food Programme, the United Nations Children’s Fund, the United Nations Refugee Agency, and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies.
Escalating conflict in the Middle East
Alessandra Vellucci, for the UN Information Service (UNIS), reiterated the Secretary-General’s position that what was needed in the Middle East now was a way out. He called for a de-escalation, an end of hostilities and a dialogue, in line with the UN Charter. The Secretary-General was concerned about the growing numbers of civilians killed, as well as about the impact on the global economy.
Samer Abdel Jaber, World Food Programme (WFP) Regional Director, speaking from Cairo, said that the situation across the region was evolving very rapidly. WFP remained operational and ready to scale up its activities. Its emergency protocols had already been activated in several countries, including Iran, Lebanon, Jordan, Yemen, and Palestine. Lebanon was the first country where WFP had commenced responding, distributing ready-to-eat hot meals to displaced people. Concern existed over the supply chain routes, which were affected by the hostilities. WFP estimated that USD 200 million would be needed for the needs in Lebanon over next three months. Some 21 shelters for IDPs had been opened by the government, and 30,000 people had been displaced, the number which was expected to grow much higher.
In Gaza, said Mr. Jaber, the border crossings had been closed since the escalation, but they should now open shortly, which was good news as it would allow for an influx of food supplies and cash assistance into the enclave. The humanitarian supply routes across the region were strained, particularly the maritime routes and with a lot of airspace closed. The Suez Canal was still functioning and was critical for WFP’s operations in Gaza and Sudan, informed Mr. Jaber.
Ravina Shamdasani, for the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), stated that the fear, the panic, the anxiety experienced by millions of people in the Middle East and beyond was palpable, but was entirely avoidable. The situation was worsening and widening by the hour, playing out the worst fears. UN Human Rights Chief Volker Türk was deeply shocked by the impacts of the widespread hostilities on civilians and civilian infrastructure since the conflict erupted on Saturday with Israel and the United States of America’s attacks on Iran, Iran’s response against States across the region, as well as Hezbollah’s subsequent entry into the conflict. The laws of war were crystal clear: civilians, and civilian objects were protected. All States, and armed groups, had to abide by these laws. The High Commissioner called on all parties to exercise maximum restraint, prevent further escalation, and take all feasible measures to protect civilians, including foreign nationals, as well as critical infrastructure.
So far, said Ms. Shamdasani, besides Iran and Israel, the hostilities had impacted 12 other States, destroying or damaging private homes, offices and businesses, airports, energy infrastructure, amongst other civilian infrastructure. International humanitarian law spelled out that any attack had to comply with the fundamental principles of distinction and proportionality, and for precautions to be taken to protect civilians. Attacks directed against civilians or civilian objects as well as indiscriminate attacks were serious violations of international humanitarian law, and may amount to war crimes. The High Commissioner implored all parties to come to their senses, and to end this violence. He called for States to uphold and defend the UN Charter, international human rights law and humanitarian law.
Full statement is available here.
Babar Baloch, for the United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR), stated that UNHCR was deeply concerned about the escalation of conflict in the Middle East and its impact on civilians and further displacement in the region. Many affected countries already hosted millions of refugees and internally displaced people. Further violence risked overwhelming humanitarian capacities and placing additional pressure on host communities. UNHCR echoed the UN Secretary-General’s urgent call for dialogue and de-escalation, respect for human rights, the protection of civilians and full adherence to international law.
Inside Iran, Mr. Baloch informed, UNHCR was the largest UN agency, with presence in several regions. Iran hosted 1.6 million refugees and other persons in need of international protection. UNHCR continued to assist and support refugees, with reduced operational activities, while monitoring developments when it came to population movements. In Lebanon, heavy displacement was being reported across southern Lebanon and the Bekaa valley. As of 2 March, conservative estimates suggested that some 30,000 people were newly internally displaced, some by car and others by foot. UNHCR had mobilized its resources to respond to the emerging needs in Lebanon and could scale up its assistance as needed. Civilians had to be protected at all times, stressed Mr. Baloch, while unhindered humanitarian access had to be secured. Some increase in population movement across the Lebanese-Syrian border had been observed.
Ricardo Pires, for the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), said that UNICEF was extremely concerned and alerted by the military escalation in the Middle East. The situation was deteriorating rapidly, and children were the ones who suffered first and the most. A descent into deeper conflict had to be avoided at all costs. There had been reports of children killed and injured in Iran, Israel and Lebanon as hostilities intensified. Continued missile fire and airstrikes were placing children in immediate danger, forcing families into shelters and disrupting access to schools and essential services. Each new escalation expanded the circle of harm. Residential areas, schools and critical infrastructure were being affected. Hospitals were under pressure or being hit. Children who had already endured months of instability were now facing renewed trauma, fear and displacement. Mr. Pires informed that UNICEF was working with partners to identify alternative routes, maintain supply chain operations, and prevent stockouts while continuing to deliver lifesaving supplies to meet the most urgent needs of vulnerable children. He emphasized that civilians ought to be protected at all times. Children should never be targets. UNICEF urgently called for immediate de-escalation and for all parties to uphold their obligations to protect children wherever they were.
Tommaso Della Longa, for the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), stated that IFRC was deeply concerned about the escalation of hostilities. IFRC teams were on the ground and responding as needs arose, working with national societies to provide timely responses. IFRC had activated every level to ensure readiness and capability to respond, including its Disaster Response Emergency Fund (DERF), activating CHF 1.5 million to respond. Emergency medical teams had been dispatched to the affected sites in Iran, while Red Crescent pharmacies had been placed on full alert to secure an uninterrupted supply of medicine. In Israel, the national society had mobilized over 39,000 staff and volunteers, treating over a hundred people from injuries and launching a blood donation drive.
Tarik Jašarević, for the World Health Organization (WHO), explained that according to Iran’s Ministry of Health, the provision of health services was continuing without interruption. Medical equipment, medicines, vaccines, and blood product stockpiles remained stable. There was no shortage of medicines, medical equipment, devices, or infant formulas. The supply chain and distribution of drugs were functioning normally. All medical universities and health facilities were on alert and prepared to deliver services. On 1 May, Tehran's Gandhi Hospital had been reportedly damaged during the bombardment of the Iranian capital. No casualties had been reported, but patients had been evacuated to another hospital. The National Emergency Medical Organization stated that several hospitals and prehospital emergency posts had been damaged. WHO was closely monitoring the situation for mass casualty needs, disruptions to essential public health services, and potential displacement of people. The most immediate public health impact was not only new casualties, but a regional shock that disrupts care delivery, supply chains, staff safety, and humanitarian access across multiple crises that had already been overstretched.
Responding to questions, Mr. Jaber, for WFP, said that 25 percent of daily needs of food in Gaza would need to be reduced if WFP could not get in all the supplies it intended. The Israeli side had just informed WFP of the opening of one crossing into Gaza. WFP was already underfunded in most countries which were affected by the ongoing hostilities. The length and severity of the crisis, along with the accessibility of transport routes, would have a direct impact on the work of the humanitarians. WFP’s hub in Dubai was functional, said Mr. Jaber in response to another question. Using land routes would be more costly and time consuming, he said. Mr. Baloch, for UNHCR, said that UNHCR had staff present in the Iran-Türkiye border area, including buses to help move people crossing the border.
Ms. Shamdasani, for OHCHR, stressed that the attack on girls’ school in Iran was absolutely devastating. International humanitarian law spelled out that every attack had to observe the principles of distinction, proportionality, precaution, and protection of civilians. OHCHR did not have a team on the ground in Iran but relied on credible sources there to provide information. Mr. Della Longa, for IFRC, said that communications remained a huge challenge within Iran, which was why it was difficult to properly address different reported incidents.
Impact of violence at the Pakistan border and Gulf instability on Afghanistan
John Aylieff, World Food Programme (WFP) Country Director for Afghanistan, speaking from Bangkok, said that the most immediate threat for Afghanistan was the escalation of the conflict between Afghanistan and Pakistan. Some 20,000 people had been displaced in 46 border districts, and violence had also forced WFP to suspend its activities there. Over 160,000 people were consequently waiting for assistance. The challenge was that the districts experiencing bombardments had already experienced malnutrition earlier, and it was expected that acute malnutrition would be driven further up by the ongoing conflict. At the same time, the worsening situation in Iran could lead to a further increase in Afghan returnees, following some 2.4 Afghans who had been forcibly returned to their country from Iran and Pakistan in 2025. WFP rations had been reduced because of the cuts. Mr. Aylieff worried about four out of five returnees whom WFP could not help because of the cuts.
The hostilities with Pakistan, the situation in Iran, and the unprecedented hunger situation were creating a perfect storm which could throw millions into even worse poverty and hunger. Some 17.4 million people in Afghanistan remained in acute need of food assistance, and 3.7 million children would need malnutrition treatment this year alone. WFP was unable to respond at a level which was nowhere near adequate. WFP had to turn away three out four children who needed support, heartbreakingly. WFP had the capacity and the know-how to help people in need, but it lacked sufficient resources. He urged the international community to deliver on its earlier promises.
Babar Baloch, for the United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR), said that in the first two months of 2026, 232,000 Afghans had returned to Afghanistan: 146,000 from Pakistan and 86,000 from Iran. That meant that as many as three million people had been forcibly returned to Afghanistan from the neighouring countries in recent years. UNCHR was closely monitoring developments and asking for additional assistance in order to help the growing number of people in need. Mr. Baloch informed that UNHCR needed USD 454 million to help displaced people Afghanistan, Pakistan, Iran and Central Asia, of which only 15 percent had been received thus far.
Replying to questions from the media, Mr. Aylieff, for WFP, said that 2025 had seen the highest surge in malnutrition ever recorded in Afghanistan. This year, 200,000 more children would face malnutrition than in 2025. The total number of children expected to suffer from malnutrition in 2026 was 3.7 million. Some 500 child deaths from malnutrition had been recorded in hospitals in 2025, but the real number would be much higher as there were no figures succumbing to hunger outside of medical establishments. WFP could reach only two million out of 17 million people in need, due to the limited resources, reminded Mr. Aylieff.
World Hearing Day: the importance of addressing childhood hearing loss
Dr. Shelly Chadha, World Health Organization (WHO) Team lead for eye, ear, and oral health, said that WHO’s latest estimates showed that over 95 million school-age children lived with unaddressed hearing loss globally, which affected more than just their ability to hear. When hearing loss remained untreated, it could affect speech and language, limit social interaction, hinder cognitive development and lead to lower academic scores. As a result, children with unaddressed hearing loss might have poorer educational outcomes, reduced employment prospects, and face long-term economic disadvantages.
The fact was that as much as 60 percent of hearing loss in children could be prevented. Avoidable or treatable causes such as ear infections, glue ear, and exposure to loud sounds, posed the biggest risk to hearing. One of the challenges was the lack of systematic pre-school or school hearing screening. Majority of children could go through their entire childhood without a single hearing test. Even in countries with established and strong newborn hearing screening programmes, children who developed ear or hearing problems later during childhood could remain undiagnosed in the absence of systematic, universal hearing screening. Dr. Chadha stressed the importance of promoting good ear care and safe listening practices as part of school health programmes, in order to prevent hearing loss. Equally important was ensuring that ear and hearing screening was part of school health programmes or and community health programmes targeting children. Finally, establishing clear referral pathways was needed so that children identified with ear or hearing problems could receive the required care.
More details on World Hearing Day 2026 can be found here, while the free app for checking one’s hearing hearWHO can be downloaded here.
Announcements
Tommaso Della Longa, for the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), informed that on 5 March, IFRC would launch its World Disasters Report 2026: Truth, Trust and Humanitarian Action in the Age of Harmful Information. Livestreamed launch of the report would start at 10:30 am.
Rolando Gómez, for the UN Information Service (UNIS), informed that today at 12 noon, Alice Jill Edwards, Special Rapporteur on torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment, would hold a press conference to present her new report “Charter of Rights of Victims and Survivors of Torture”.
On 5 March 2026 at 11 am, Balakrishnan Rajagopal, UN Special Rapporteur on the right to adequate housing, would address the media on housing in crisis: urgent call to action on domicide, resettlement, reconstruction, affordability and climate.
Finally, on 6 March at 3:30 pm, Martin Chungong, Interparliamentary Union (IPU) Secretary General, and Mariana Mutzenberg, IPU gender programme, would present IPU’s new report on women in parliament.
The Human Rights Committee was concluding this morning its review of the report of Andorra. This afternoon, it would begin consideration of the report of Canada.
The Human Rights Council was continuing its sixty-first session.
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