The UN is racing against time to expand humanitarian relief and prepare for the monumental task of rebuilding Gaza, as a fragile ceasefire holds but tensions loom over a potential resumption of fighting.

“There is no time to lose,” said the head of the office responsible for UN reconstruction efforts (UNOPS), Jorge Moreira da Silva, during a briefing in New York via videolink from the Middle East, following his visit to Gaza this week.

The devastation he witnessed was stark: “By one estimate, 40 million tons of debris and rubble were generated by the conflict, which will take years to remove.”

While the ceasefire has allowed for a scale-up in humanitarian operations, Mr. Moreira da Silva underscored that the pause in hostilities is far from enough.

“I reiterate the call for a permanent ceasefire and the release of all hostages without delay,” he stressed.

Fuel and life-saving services

UNOPS, which plays a pivotal role in Gaza’s humanitarian logistics and in many other crises where the UN is providing relief across the world, has dramatically increased fuel deliveries since the ceasefire began.

Currently, 1.2 million litres are being supplied daily to sustain critical services such as hospitals, telecommunications equipment and bakeries.

Visiting the European Hospital in the main southern city of Khan Younis close to the Egyptian border, Mr. Moreira da Silva heard firsthand accounts from doctors working under unimaginable conditions.

There have been “surgeries without anaesthetic, post-surgery infections due to lack of antibiotics, infants dying due to the lack of electricity powering the incubators” and urgent cancer surgeries postponed for over a year, he recounted, describing the extreme pressures on Gaza’s health system.

Prior to the war, UNOPS had installed hybrid solar systems at the hospital to provide a sustainable energy supply. But the systems have now been rendered inoperable – another casualty of the conflict.

“As we look to recovery and reconstruction, this is a reminder about the crucial need to invest in renewable energy,” he said.

Clearing the rubble

Beyond fuel provision, UNOPS is engaged in crucial debris removal and mine action efforts to address the growing risk of unexploded ordnance

The scale of the destruction poses a logistical and financial challenge likely to persist for years.

“We are determined to stay and deliver for the people of Gaza,” Mr. Moreira da Silva said, emphasising that humanitarian access remains critical.

“Rapid, unhindered, and safe passage for aid is non-negotiable,” he emphasised.

Uncertain road ahead

The spectre of renewed violence and the end of the fragile ceasefire, casts a shadow over recovery plans.

The leadership of Hamas said on Thursday that they would stick to the hostage release timetable as originally agreed, after earlier accusing Israel of violating the terms of the ceasefire.  

“We need to focus all efforts on avoiding a return to war, which would be an absolute tragedy,” said Mr. Moreira da Silva.

The stakes are high, not only for Gaza’s immediate humanitarian relief but also for any future reconstruction effort. 

The development comes as a recent survey of Syrian refugees in the region reveals that some 75 per cent of respondents have no plans to go back anytime soon.

OCHA said movements out of displacement camps in Syria remain limited, with some 80,000 people departing from sites in the northwest since December and roughly 300 others leaving the Areesha camp in the northeast this past Tuesday.

Nearly two million people remain displaced in the northwest, and many are living in overcrowded sites and fragile tents.  Among them are more than 615,000 who remain newly displaced across the country since fleeing their homes after 27 November.

The date marked the start of a major offensive by opposition fighters against the Syrian Army and forces loyal to the Assad regime, which was overthrown some 10 days later.

Winter weather support

The UN and partners continue to provide assistance as conditions and funding allow, including winter aid to northern Syria, where the weather is particularly harsh at this time of the year.

Partners have carried out emergency repairs of roads and sewage systems that were affected by past flooding in the northwest, while nine markets are currently being rehabilitated near displacement camps. 

Since December, more than 260,000 children in Idleb and northern Aleppo have been supported with heaters, winter clothes and other aid, OCHA said.  Winter kits were also distributed to 500 children in Qamishli, in Al-Hasakeh governorate.

Illnesses and infections on the rise

During the same period, health partners have deployed mobile medical teams, provided mental health support, and reinforced facilities with heating and insulation, reaching 800,000 people in the northwest.

They warn, however, of a significant rise in influenza-like illnesses and severe acute respiratory infections, which are causing further strain to the underfunded health sector. More than 100 health facilities in the northwest are out of funds since the start of the year.

Humanitarians also sounded the alarm over the shortfall in funding for their operations to support 6.7 million Syrians through March.  Less than 10 per cent of the $1.2 billion needed has been received to date.

Refugees return home

Meanwhile, more than 270,000 Syrian refugees have returned home since early December, according to the UN refugee agency, UNHCR.

A recent UNHCR survey of Syrian refugees across the region found that 27 per cent of respondents intend to return home within the next 12 months, compared to just 1.7 per cent prior to the fall of the Assad regime.

The results show, however, that roughly three-quarters of Syrian refugees have no plans to go home in the next year and are instead waiting to see how the situation evolves.

Currently 5.5 million Syrian refugees are living in Türkiye, Lebanon, Jordan, Iraq and Egypt.

Factors affecting return

The reasons why Syrian refugees are reluctant to return range from the lack of housing or access to their properties, concern over the security situation, the disruption to basic services, and economic challenges including a lack of jobs.

UNHCR and partners are providing returnees and others in need with basic household items, repairs to damaged homes, emergency cash assistance, support to replace lost identity documents and psychological counselling, among other services.

The agency is appealing for greater support from the international community to meet the immense needs. 

“Heartbroken and outraged by the tragic loss of WFP team member, Ahmed, who lost his life while arbitrarily detained in Yemen,” Executive Director Cindy McCain said on Tuesday in a post on the social media platform X.  

She described him as “a devoted humanitarian and father of two”, who “played a crucial role in our mission to deliver lifesaving food assistance.”

Dozens in detention

Ahmed was among seven national staff detained by local authorities in northern Yemen since 23 January. 

The Houthis, also known as Ansar Allah, are also holding dozens of personnel from the UN, national and international NGOs, civil society and diplomatic missions – some have been detained for several years.

UN Secretary-General António Guterres condemned the death of the WFP staff member and expressed solidarity with all detained colleagues and their families.

A ‘deplorable tragedy’

“The circumstances surrounding this deplorable tragedy remain unclear, and the United Nations is urgently seeking explanations from the Houthi de facto authorities,” he said in a statement on Tuesday.

“I call for an immediate, transparent and thorough investigation and for those responsible to be held accountable.”

Mr. Guterres said the continued arbitrary detention of the other personnel is “unacceptable”.  He renewed his call for their immediate and unconditional release. 

“The United Nations continues to follow this situation closely and will continue to take appropriate measures to ensure the safety and security of our staff in their efforts to deliver for the people of Yemen,” he said.

Humanitarian freeze amid immense needs

In response to the latest Houthi detentions, the Secretary-General on Monday instructed all UN agencies, funds and programmes to halt operations in Sa’ada governorate in northwest Yemen.

“This extraordinary and temporary measure seeks to balance the imperative to stay and deliver with the need to have the safety and security of the UN personnel and its partners guaranteed,” his Office said in a note to correspondents.

A decade of conflict between the Houthis and Yemeni government forces, who are backed by a Saudi-led coalition, has left some 18. 2 million people – more than half the population – in need of humanitarian assistance. 

WFP supports millions through its programmes, which include delivering essential food to conflict-affected families, feeding schoolchildren, and providing nutritional support to women and children, including in camps for internally displaced people.

Briefing ambassadors in the Security Council, Geir Pedersen acknowledged commitments made by interim leader Ahmad Al-Sharaa but stressed that Syrians across the country expect tangible actions.

“All Syrians I met…stressed to me how much they want institutional appointments, the transitional government, the provisional legislative body, the national dialogue process and any preparatory committees, and these need to be credible and inclusive,” he said.

He added that Syrian women, in particular, seek more than protection.

“They want meaningful participation in decision-making or appointments in key positions, based on their qualifications, [and] to participate in transitional institutions, so that their perspectives are considered, including on issues related to the status and rights of Syrian women.”

Security and economic risks

The fragile security situation continues to threaten political progress, Mr. Pedersen warned, citing ongoing hostilities in the northeast, including daily clashes, artillery exchanges, and airstrikes that are impacting civilians and infrastructure.

A recent wave of car bombings in residential areas has caused significant casualties.

While welcoming initial dialogue between caretaker authorities and the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) in the northeast, he urged the United States, Türkiye, and regional and national actors to work together on “genuine compromises” that enable peace and stability.

“It is crucial that all doors remain open to ensuring the inclusion of all parts of Syria and all key constituencies within the political transition,” he added.

Concerns are also growing over economic stability against a backdrop of sanctions, widespread poverty and sudden donor cuts to humanitarian aid.

Mr. Pedersen urged sanctioning states to consider easing restrictions in critical sectors such as energy and finance, noting that many Syrians will measure progress not only by political reforms but by the price of food, access to electricity and employment opportunities.

Worsening humanitarian crisis

As political talks continue, the humanitarian situation in Syria remains dire, with more than 70 per cent of the population in need assistance.

Joyce Msuya, Assistant Secretary-General for UN aid coordination, emphasised that humanitarians are scaling up efforts to deliver aid despite challenges.

Fresh fighting, particularly in the north, has displaced over 25,000 people from Manbij near the restive Turkish border area and attacks continue to hinder efforts to repair Tishreen Dam, a vital source of water and electricity for hundreds of thousands. In addition, explosive ordinance continues to pose a threat to civilians and hamper humanitarian efforts.

“All parties must take constant care to spare civilians and civilian infrastructure in the course of military actions,” Ms. Msuya stressed.

Aid delivery

The UN has been scaling up aid deliveries despite immense logistical challenges, having reached over 3.3 million people with food assistance since late November, following rapid gains made by opposition forces in against Assad regime-controlled areas.

Cross-border operations from Türkiye remain a lifeline, with 94 trucks carrying food, medical supplies, and other essential aid arriving in Syria last month – more than triple the amount delivered during the same period last year.

However, funding shortfalls remain a major constraint.

Ms. Msuya noted that dozens of health facilities are at risk of closure, while water and sanitation services have already been suspended in displacement camps, affecting more than 635,000 people.

Furthermore, the recent suspension of US funding for aid programmes – which accounted for over a quarter of the humanitarian response budget in 2024 – have added to the uncertainty.

“Delays or suspension of funding will affect whether vulnerable people can access essential services,” Ms. Msuya warned.

Refugees weigh return

Increasing numbers of Syrian refugees are considering returning home, the deputy relief chief said.

Since December, approximately 270,000 Syrians have returned from neighbouring countries. A recent UN survey found that more than a quarter of refugees intend to return within the next year – a notable increase from previous years.

Ms. Msuya stressed that sustainable, safe, and dignified returns require major investments in livelihoods, health services, education and infrastructure.

“Now is the time to invest in Syria’s future,” she said, underscoring the need to ensure protection of civilians, facilitate flow of aid and a peaceful transition.

“Alongside the most critical lifesaving support, we must sustain and restore critical health, water, and other services that can enable people to rebuild their lives and livelihoods.”