MIDDLE EAST LIVE 19 March: Civilians bear the brunt as strikes and displacement rise
- UNAA
- 4 days ago
- 7 min read
19th March 2026
Ongoing strikes across the Middle East stemming from the US-Israeli bombing of Iran and subsequent counterstrikes in the Gulf by Tehran continue to drive humanitarian needs, civilian casualties and mass displacement. Concerns are also growing over maritime security, the economic crisis centred around the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, attacks on healthcare and the protection of critical infrastructure, including nuclear facilities.
HIGHLIGHTS
‘Time for diplomacy to prevail’: The UN Secretary-General urged an immediate end to the conflict, warning it risks “getting completely out of control." He said it was time for the force of law to prevail, over the law of force.
Iran strikes drive mass displacement: Heavy airstrikes have caused widespread casualties and forced millions from their homes, with major damage to infrastructure and growing environmental risks.
Lebanon crisis deepens: More than one million people remain displaced, with women and girls facing heightened risks and limited access to essential health and protection services.
Rafah crossing reopens for limited evacuations: The Rafah crossing has reopened for a small number of medical evacuations, but UN officials stress broader, sustained access is needed to allow the movement of people and humanitarian supplies into Gaza.
Regional impact widens: Across the Middle East and beyond, the crisis is disrupting livelihoods, migration and supply chains, with growing economic and humanitarian consequences.
UN maritime agency condemns attacks on shipping
As the conflict continues to spread, the Executive Council of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) strongly condemned threats and attacks against vessels and the purported closure of the Strait of Hormuz—the critical shipping corridor south of Iran.
The Council - which met in London over the past two days for an extraordinary session to discuss the situation in the Middle East - called for international coordination to safeguard civilian shipping.
“Let it be the responsibility of each and every one of us to demonstrate that inaction is not an option, that words alone are not sufficient,” IMO Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez said in his closing remarks.
The IMO is the UN’s specialised agency responsible for the safety and security of shipping. The Council is its executive organ and supervises the Organization’s work.
The body is comprised of 40 Member States who serve for two-year terms.
UN rights chief laments ‘human cost’ of the conflict
The Middle East conflict is disproportionately impacting civilians, UN human rights chief Volker Türk said on Thursday, calling for greater diplomatic efforts to end the fighting.
“The human cost of this reckless war is alarming. Hostilities are being waged without regard to the immediate and long-term consequences for civilians across the entire region,” he said.
He added that the targeting of major energy installations is now reaching a dangerous phase, amid threats of further escalation.
“To pull the region back from the brink and prevent the further loss of civilian life and destruction of vital public infrastructure, renewed diplomatic efforts are critical.”
Gulf crisis impact spreads; families in Nepal feel pressure
The crisis in the Middle East is sending shockwaves far beyond the region, including to countries like Nepal that rely heavily on migrant labour in the Gulf.
In this interview, we speak with Numan Özcan, the ILO Country Director for Nepal, on how rising insecurity, travel disruptions and economic pressures are affecting migrant workers and their families.
Increased aid delivery in Lebanon
Amid the worsening crisis in Lebanon, UN agencies continue to scale-up aid delivery alongside humanitarian partners and the Government.
For example, the World Food Programme (WFP) and partners provided more than 1.1 million hot meals since the beginning of the month. Furthermore, they have distributed over 165,000 emergency nutrition rations and micronutrient supplements.
The UN refugee agency, UNHCR, and partners also continue to distribute mattresses, sleeping mats and blankets.
However, attacks on healthcare are adding further strain to Lebanon’s health system and increasing risks for medical personnel. Since 2 March, the World Health Organization (WHO) has reported 33 attacks that killed 31 people and injured 48 others.
Nine Gaza patients evacuated to Egypt
The World Health Organization (WHO) and partners supported the medical evacuation of nine adults and 16 companions from the Gaza Strip to Egypt on Thursday, following the partial reopening of the Rafah crossing after a 20-day suspension.
Most of the evacuees have trauma injuries and require treatment that is not available in the enclave.
UN Deputy Spokesperson Farhan Haq recalled that some 18,000 patients in Gaza remain without the treatment they urgently need.
“More patients will be able to access care once the Israeli authorities allow the resumption of referrals to the West Bank, including East Jerusalem,” he said during the regular briefing from UN Headquarters in New York.
Heavy fighting reported in south Lebanon
The UN peacekeeping mission in Lebanon, UNIFIL, has reported continued heavy exchanges of fire, air and ground activity, and an increased presence of Israeli forces inside Lebanese territory.
According to UN Deputy Spokesperson Farhan Haq, hundreds of Israeli military vehicles were observed along the Blue Line, including armoured personnel carriers, tanks and High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicles.
A UN observation tower came under machine gun fire, with debris injuring a peacekeeper.
“We remind all actors of their obligations to ensure the safety and security of peacekeepers,” Mr. Haq said, reiterating the call for an end to hostilities and a return to dialogue.
UNFPA warns women and newborns at heightened risk amid conflict
The UN reproductive health agency, UNFPA, says the escalating war in the Middle East is “shattering the lives of women and children,” with pregnant women and new mothers among the most vulnerable.
Disruptions to maritime routes and airspace closures are delaying the delivery of life-saving supplies, including mobile maternity hospitals and equipment for safe childbirth and support to survivors of sexual violence.
Despite rising costs and funding shortfalls, UNFPA is scaling up its response, deploying mobile clinics, distributing dignity kits and maintaining safe spaces.
“Even in the midst of a crisis, every woman must be able to give birth safely and every woman and girl must be protected from violence,” said Executive Director Diene Keita, urging an end to hostilities and full protection of civilians.
Conflict could cost Arab region up to $150 billion in a month: UN regional commission
The UN Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA) warns that the escalating conflict could slash regional economic output by nearly $150 billion within a month – around 3.7 per cent of GDP.
Preliminary estimates show losses of about $63 billion in just two weeks, driven by disruptions to energy markets, trade routes, aviation and financial systems.
Shipping through the Strait of Hormuz has dropped by 97 per cent, while nearly 19,000 flights have been cancelled, compounding economic strain.
“The economic effects of the conflict are materialising quickly and across multiple channels at once,” said ESCWA head Mourad Wahba, warning that vulnerable economies may struggle to absorb prolonged shocks.
Restrictions continue to hamper aid in Gaza
While the Rafah crossing has partially reopened for medical evacuations, humanitarian actors stress that far greater access is urgently needed.
Severe restrictions on movement and essential supplies continue to block aid efforts, leaving needs in Gaza far outpacing the current response.
Olga Cherevko, spokesperson for the UN aid coordination office, OCHA, underscores the urgent need for sustained, unimpeded humanitarian access to deliver assistance at the scale required.
What’s in a dignity kit – and why it matters
In crises, UNFPA’s dignity kits provide essential supplies to women and girls, helping them manage menstruation safely and with dignity. Each kit typically includes items such as sanitary pads (disposable and reusable), soap, washing powder, underwear, a flashlight, a comb, and basic hygiene items like a toothbrush and toothpaste.
UNFPA expands frontline support for women and girls in Lebanon
The UN reproductive health agency, UNFPA, is scaling up its response to meet the needs of displaced women and girls in Lebanon.
Through supported health centres and mobile teams, more than 1,000 women and girls have received maternal care, family planning, treatment for infections and nutritional support. Midwives have been deployed to strengthen services, while emergency reproductive health kits are being distributed nationwide.
The agency has also reached over 3,700 women and girls with gender-based violence prevention and support, including the distribution of dignity kits and awareness materials.
Despite these efforts, UNFPA warns that service delivery remains under strain as displacement continues and resources fall short of growing needs.
End war now: UN chief
The UN Secretary-General has called for an immediate end to the escalating conflict, warning of mounting civilian suffering and wider economic fallout.
Speaking to reporters at the European Council in Brussels, António Guterres delivered two clear messages.
To the United States and Israel, he said: “It’s high time to end this war that is risking to get completely out of control, causing immense suffering on civilians and with propagation around the global economy, that is really dramatic with potential tragic consequences, especially for the least developed countries.”
And to Iran: “Stop attacking your neighbours; they were never parties to the conflict.”
Mr. Guterres also addressed the situation in the Strait of Hormuz, noting that the Security Council has condemned the attacks and called for the waterway to remain open, warning that prolonged disruption is affecting people worldwide.
“It’s time for the force of the law to prevail over the law of force. It’s time for diplomacy to prevail over war,” he concluded.
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