The UN Secretary-General on Saturday called on the international community to intensify support for the Government and people of Lebanon, warning that the south of the country “risks being turned into a wasteland.”
The UN Secretary-General on Saturday called on the international community to intensify support for the Government and people of Lebanon, warning that the south of the country “risks being turned into a wasteland.”
Escalating hostilities across the Middle East continue to drive civilian casualties, mass displacement and mounting humanitarian needs. Fighting along the Israel-Lebanon border has intensified, while millions across the region face growing risks from disrupted health services, overcrowded shelters and strained aid operations. UN agencies warn that children and vulnerable families are bearing the brunt as the conflict deepens and regional stability remains under severe pressure. Stay with us for live updates from across the UN system. App users can follow coverage here.
The first two weeks of March have seen a surge in violent attacks and acts of intimidation targeting synagogues and Jewish institutions across North America and Europe.
As the UN Secretary-General touched down in Beirut on Friday in solidarity with the people of Lebanon, UN agencies highlighted the dangers for civilians and particularly pregnant women and migrant workers, amid ongoing airstrikes and rocket fire between Hezbollah fighters and Israel.
More than five years after Myanmar’s military coup, international resolve to hold the junta accountable must not weaken, an independent human rights expert warned on Friday, as escalating violence and growing humanitarian needs push millions of civilians deeper into crisis.
Scores of Ukrainian children are still missing after being deported far and wide across Russia and occupied territories while their families continue to search for them, human rights investigators said on Thursday.
The UN chief on Thursday urged all combatants to cease hostilities in the Middle East, uphold international law, protect civilians and make an immediate return to the negotiating table.
Rising food prices, growing displacement and disruptions to global supply routes are placing millions of people across the Middle East at greater risk of hunger, according to the World Food Programme (WFP), which warns that the humanitarian system is struggling to keep pace with expanding needs.
UN human rights chief Volker Türk said on Thursday he was appalled by the devastating impact on civilians of increasing drone attacks in Sudan, amid reports that more than 200 civilians have been killed by drones since 4 March alone, in the Kordofan region and White Nile state.
War continues across the Middle East, with impacts growing far beyond the region. Oil prices are hovering around $100 a barrel as attacks on shipping and energy infrastructure disrupt key supply routes. Strikes and counterstrikes between Israel, Hezbollah and Iran continue, while ships have reportedly been hit in the Strait of Hormuz and the Gulf of Oman, sending shocks through the global economy. Meanwhile, UN agencies are expanding humanitarian relief efforts as displacement rises and civilian needs grow. Stay with us for live updates from across the UN system. App users can follow coverage here.
Lebanon is facing a “perfect storm of unpredictable challenges” as conflict, mass displacement and dwindling humanitarian resources converge, the UN’s Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Lebanon, Imran Riza, has warned.
Venezuela’s repressive State apparatus remains operational despite the seizure of former President Nicolás Maduro by United States forces on 3 January, according to independent UN human rights investigators.
As war continues in the Middle East, the UN Security Council on Wednesday adopted a Bahrain-led resolution condemning Iranian attacks on several regional states, while a separate draft resolution introduced by Russia on the wider crisis failed to pass.
As the conflict in the Middle East continues to ripple across the region, the UN Security Council is meeting today to discuss the escalating situation, with a morning briefing focused on Lebanon and a second session later on the wider crisis. Across the UN system, agencies are warning of mounting humanitarian needs as displacement rises, services come under strain and regional instability disrupts mobility, trade and aid operations. Stay with us as we bring you the latest developments, reactions and updates from UN Headquarters and across the region. UN News app users can follow the coverage here
The UN’s emergency relief chief on Wednesday condemned the “$1 billion-a-day” cost of the war in the Middle East, at a time when humanitarian needs are soaring and aid funding is falling dangerously short.
UN human rights chief Volker Türk on Tuesday condemned accounts of “gruesome killings” of civilians in South Sudan, the destruction and poisoning of key water sources and fresh waves of mass displacement.
The conflict in the Middle East continues, with strikes and counter-strikes across the region and the humanitarian toll mounting. UN agencies warn that rising civilian casualties, mass displacement – particularly in Lebanon – and damage to critical infrastructure are deepening the crisis, while disruptions to shipping and energy routes risk driving up global prices and worsening food insecurity. Stay with us for updates from across the United Nations system. UN News app users can follow the coverage here.
Toxic “black rain” linked to strikes on oil depots, mass displacement and continuing disruption to aid supply chains are upending lives across the Middle East and beyond after 10 days of war in the region, UN humanitarians said on Tuesday.
Around two-thirds of children worldwide report an increase in cyberbullying, with one in two say they don’t know how to get the right support, according to a recent poll carried out by the UN’s top official who works to end violence against children.
Crises in the region on both Afghanistan’s longest borders are undermining the country’s stability, a senior UN official warned the Security Council on Monday as concerns over Middle East crisis grow amid clashes with Pakistan and a worsening humanitarian crisis.
Conflict continues to fuel suffering and drive humanitarian needs in Myanmar, the UN relief coordination office, OCHA, said in a bulletin on Monday.
On day 10 of the war engulfing the Middle East, UN agencies on Monday reported massive displacement across the region, along with surging food and fuel prices that risk increasing hunger and suffering for the most vulnerable.
Lebanon has been “dragged back into a state of turmoil and violence”, the UN’s top envoy in the country warned on Saturday, after the latest round of regional strikes triggered a fast‑escalating crisis along the Blue Line. What had been fragile but real momentum, she said, has now collapsed in a matter of days.
Violence across the Middle East is continuing as military strikes and counter-strikes are reported in several countries across the region, raising fears of wider instability and worsening humanitarian conditions. UN agencies warn the crisis is affecting at least 16 countries, with civilian casualties, displacement and damage to vital infrastructure increasing. Follow our live coverage for updates and reaction from across the United Nations system. UN News app users can follow here.
Military strikes and counter-strikes are continuing across the Middle East as the US and Israel wage war on Iran. With the world economy at grave risk, ‘the situation could spiral beyond anyone’s control’ warned UN chief António Guterres. “It is time to stop the fighting and get to serious diplomatic negotiations,” he urged – adding that the unlawful attacks by all sides are causing tremendous suffering for civilians across the whole Middle East region. Follow our live coverage for updates and reaction from across the United Nations system. UN News app users can follow here.
The escalating war in the Middle East has heightened growing concerns about further civilian suffering and displacement in the region and far beyond, UN agencies said on Friday.
There has been an alarming escalation of violence in the Kordofan region where fighting has killed and injured civilians, destroyed homes, hospitals and other civilian infrastructure.
On day six of the war in the Middle East, there's been no let-up in bombs, drones and rockets targeting Iran, Israel, Lebanon and many Gulf States, while NATO forces reportedly intercepted a missile fired at Türkiye by Iran, a claim denied by Tehran. We'll bring you the latest from the United Nations and our partners at headquarters and in the field. UN News app users can follow the coverage here.
On day six of the war in the Middle East, there's been no let-up in bombs, drones and rockets targeting Iran, Israel, Lebanon and many Gulf States, while NATO forces reportedly intercepted a missile fired at Türkiye by Iran, a claim denied by Tehran. We'll bring you the latest from the United Nations and our partners at headquarters and in the field. UN News app users can follow the coverage here.
Violence in the Middle East is continuing into a fifth day, with US and Israeli strikes against Iran and Iranian missile and drone attacks reported across several countries in the region. The escalating confrontation is disrupting airspace, transport and daily life while raising fears of a wider regional conflict. Follow our live coverage for real-time updates, reactions and humanitarian developments from across the United Nations system. UN News app users can follow the coverage here.
As US, Israeli and Iranian strikes continued for a fifth day, a top Human Rights Council probe warned on Wednesday that Iranian prisoners including detained protesters face expedited death penalty proceedings.
Violence in the Middle East is continuing into a fifth day, with US and Israeli strikes against Iran and Iranian missile and drone attacks reported across several countries in the region. The escalating confrontation is disrupting airspace, transport and daily life while raising fears of a wider regional conflict. Follow our live coverage for real-time updates, reactions and humanitarian developments from across the United Nations system. UN News app users can follow the coverage here.
Clashes along the Afghanistan-Pakistan border have continued for a seventh straight day, with humanitarian access to affected areas still restricted, the UN said on Wednesday.
Violent escalation in the Middle East has entered a fourth day, with US and Israeli military strikes against Iran and ensuing Iranian counter-strikes hitting targets across the region, disrupting airspace and transport routes. The situation has caused civilian casualties and raised fears of broader instability, including in Lebanon and the Gulf. We will bring you real-time reporting and updates from across the United Nations system. UN News app users can follow the coverage here.
On the fourth day of Israeli and United States airstrikes against Iran and amid growing violence and instability in the Middle East, the UN urgently called for protection of civilians and warned of growing displacement and humanitarian needs.
Secretary-General António Guterres told the inaugural meeting of a new independent group of experts on Artificial Intelligence convened by the UN that they have a huge responsibility to help shape how it is used “for the benefit of humanity”.
Secretary-General António Guterres told the inaugural meeting of a new independent group of experts on Artificial Intelligence convened by the UN that they have a huge responsibility to help shape how it is used “for the benefit of humanity”.
Violent escalation in the Middle East has entered a fourth day, with US and Israeli military strikes against Iran and ensuing Iranian counter-strikes hitting targets across the region, disrupting airspace and transport routes. The situation has caused civilian casualties and raised fears of broader instability, including in Lebanon and the Gulf. We will bring you real-time reporting and updates from across the United Nations system. UN News app users can follow the coverage here.
Madam President,
On behalf of the Secretary-General, I want to thank you for your leadership in organizing today’s discussion.
This debate comes at a moment of exceptional relevance. Today, we face the highest number of armed conflicts since the Second World War. The number of civilians killed in these conflicts is the highest in decades.
Our reality is clear: when conflicts erupt, children are among those most severely affected
We have been reminded of this truth over the last two days. Schools in Israel, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Bahrain and Oman have closed and moved to remote learning owing to the ongoing military operations in the region.
And we are aware of the reports from Iran about the death of possibly dozens of children allegedly as the result of a strike that hit an elementary school in the town of Minab. United States authorities have announced that they are looking into these reports.
Globally, one in every five children is living in or fleeing a conflict zone. This adds up to 473 million children.
Grave violations against children verified by the United Nations increased by a staggering 25 per cent from 2023 to 2024. Rape and other forms of sexual violence rose by 35 per cent.
These horrific figures should impel us to do more to protect children in conflict.
I pay tribute to the First Lady of the United States for her work to give visibility to the issue of children in conflict, and particularly for her personal engagement to reunite Ukrainian children with their families.
Madam President,
When conflicts do not rob children of their life and physical security, they deprive them of their right to have a quality education and a future of opportunities.
234 million children in crisis and conflict situations currently need educational support. 85 million are completely out of school.
In violent conflicts, schools can be one of the only safe spaces that protect children from recruitment, trafficking, and exploitation. Schools can safeguard health and hygiene, provide psychosocial support, and connect families to essential services.
Education in conflict zones is lifesaving and life-sustaining.
And yet, schools, teachers and education infrastructure continue to suffer violence. In 2024 alone, the United Nations verified a total of 2,374 attacks on schools and hospitals. Many more are unverified, due to lack of access.
Most attacks in 2024 took place in Ukraine, Israel, the occupied Palestinian territory and Haiti.
In its resolution 2601 (2021), the Council urged all conflict parties to immediately cease attacks against schools, children and teachers, and noted that such attacks are in contravention of international humanitarian law.
It called on all parties to safeguard, protect, respect, and promote the right to education.
The international legal framework is clear. We must act.
Madam President,
The challenges of providing quality education in conflict situations are tremendous.
Infrastructure, from electricity to classrooms to digital connectivity, is often crumbling, or at risk.
Educators are few and far between; we face a shortage of 44 million teachers in conflict settings.
Digital learning can offer access to education when schools are closed or inaccessible, or when students are fleeing violence. The UN has made a concerted investment in these approaches.
Public-private partnerships, when grounded in strong ethical frameworks, can help us deliver and expand access to innovative education technologies.
For example, UNICEF’s Learning Passport – developed in partnership with Microsoft – offers 10 million children in 47 countries a mobile learning platform where they can have continuous access to quality education.
The Instant Network Schools programme, a joint project of the Vodafone Foundation and UNHCR, allows refugees and teachers to access digital educational content and the internet, improving the quality of education in some of the most marginalised communities in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and South Sudan.
Technology allows education to reach the most vulnerable, and those excluded from the formal educational system.
In Afghanistan, to respond to the exclusion of 2.2 million girls from education, UNESCO is mobilizing digital technologies to bring learning directly into homes and communities – reaching close to 9,000 school communities in the country.
To ensure that the opportunities provided by technology are realized, we must mitigate its risks. Children in conflict face heightened online threats: exploitation, trafficking, radicalization, digital recruitment into armed groups, and cyberbullying.
Digital education must therefore actively promote child protection, with risk assessments at every stage, from conception to deployment.
We must strengthen legal and policy frameworks to protect the rights of the child in the digital space, in line with international human rights law.
Technology companies have a particular role to play in providing safeguards to their users, especially children and young people.
Unfortunately, funding for education in emergencies has dropped by 24 per cent, even though needs are increasing.
We call on Member States to do more to meet funding gaps in education.
Madam President,
The most effective way to protect children from conflict is to prevent and end wars.
Building peace is at the heart of what the United Nations does.
We must all work together toward this goal.
Thank you, Madam President.
Violent escalation in the Middle East has entered a third day as coordinated US and Israeli strikes against Iran aimed at regime change continue to cause loss of life and damage across the region, prompting Iranian missile and drone counter-strikes hitting targets in multiple countries. Explosions, airspace closures and military alerts have been reported from Tehran to the Gulf states and beyond. Follow our live coverage with updates from across the United Nations system. UN News app users can follow here.
As the violent escalation in the Middle East entered a third day on Monday sparked by the bombing of Iran by Israel and the United States, the head of the UN atomic energy agency urged a return to diplomacy, given the “increasing risk to nuclear safety” in the region.
As the violent escalation in the Middle East entered a third day on Monday sparked by the bombing of Iran by Israel and the United States, the head of the UN atomic energy agency urged a return to diplomacy, given the “increasing risk to nuclear safety” in the region.
The UN Security Council convened in New York under extraordinary circumstances Monday: amid escalating conflict in the Middle East and repeated calls from the UN for restraint by all sides, the Council turns its attention to a long-standing but under-addressed crisis facing children in war zones. The United States, which holds the rotating presidency for March, decided to have First Lady Melania Trump chair the meeting. Usually, the UN ambassador or senior official takes the gavel. While there have been instances of First Ladies taking part in Security Council meetings, today was the first time a sitting First Lady has had the gavel. Follow speaker by speaker below, and UN News app users can go here. For daily in-depth meetings coverage, go here.
Travelling more than 200 kilometres (124 miles) from Yambio, the capital of Western Equatoria State in southwestern South Sudan, a team of justice experts escorted by United Nations peacekeepers moved slowly along rough, dusty roads, determined to reach communities that have waited years for their day in court.
The UN education agency, UNESCO, says that the bombing of a primary school during the US and Israeli military attacks on Iran on Saturday constitutes a grave violation of humanitarian law.
“Everything must be done” to prevent wider escalation of war across the Middle East following joint US-Israeli strikes against Iran, and retaliatory action from Tehran targeting multiple countries in the region, the UN Secretary-General told the Security Council on Saturday.
The UN Security Council is due to meet top of the hour in emergency session in the aftermath of major airstrikes across Iran by the United States and Israel. In retaliation, Tehran has launched its own attacks throughout the Middle East, with reports of strikes in Dubai, Doha, Bahrain and Kuwait – threatening to plunge the region into a broader conflict. US President Donald Trump has urged Iranians to “take over” the Government. UN chief António Guterres condemned the escalation, saying it undermines international peace and security. He’s due to brief ambassadors in New York. Follow our live coverage below. UN News app users can follow here and full meetings coverage can be found daily, here.
“Everything must be done” to prevent wider escalation of war across the Middle East following joint US-Israeli strikes against Iran, and retaliatory action from Tehran targeting multiple countries in the region, the UN Secretary-General told the Security Council on Saturday.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres and the heads of UN agencies have condemned Saturday’s joint Israeli and US attacks on Iran and the Iranian retaliatory strikes on Israel and the Gulf Regions.
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