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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
World
Mark Townsend

Middle East thrust into ‘apocalyptic’ humanitarian crisis by war and turmoil

United Nations Gaza United States Middle East Lebanon Jens Laerke Syria Yemen the Middle East Hamas
A man stands with his pet cat amid the rubble of devastated buildings in central Gaza.
A young man stands with his pet cat amid the rubble of devastated buildings in central Gaza. Photograph: Eyad El Baba/UNICEF

For a region that is no stranger to geopolitical turmoil, UN agencies believe the Middle East is experiencing an “apocalyptic” collective humanitarian crisis. Even before Hamas’s October attack on Israel convulsed the region, neighbouring Lebanon and Syria were experiencing profound challenges, while Yemen has been vying for the unenviable title of home to the world’s worst humanitarian calamity.

On Friday, the UN humanitarian agency (OCHA) admitted that the situation in the Middle East had probably “never been worse” since it began collating records in 1991.

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