UNIFIL peacekeeper outpost at the Blue Line in Lebanon, symbolizing peacekeeping efforts amid regional tensions.
This article is published in association with United Nations.
Thousands of displaced people in northern Syria are struggling to cope with freezing conditions after a severe snowstorm struck dozens of displacement sites, the UN aid coordination office (OCHA) said on Tuesday.
The storm hit 90 sites across Aleppo, Idleb and Al-Hasakeh governorates on 31 December, affecting more than 150,000 people.
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Humanitarian partners reported that two infants died from extreme cold in the Harim area of northern Idleb.
Around 5,000 shelters were fully or partially damaged, leaving families exposed to freezing temperatures and at heightened risk of hypothermia and respiratory illness.
Fuel supplies dwindle
Conditions are worsening further as fuel supplies run out. Displacement sites in Al-Hasakeh city and collective shelters in Ar-Raqqa have no fuel left after support ended in December due to funding shortfalls.
Since the storm, aid workers have provided stoves and fuel to more than 10,000 displaced people.
The UN estimates $112 million is needed for life-saving winter assistance in Syria through March 2026, but only $29 million has been secured, leaving a 74 per cent funding gap.
Nigeria: Attacks on schools undermine right to education
The top UN official in Nigeria called on Tuesday for stronger protection of civilians and schools following a wave of attacks in Niger state in the north-central part of the country.
The most recent incident occurred on Saturday when more than 30 people were reportedly killed in an attack on a market in Kasuwan Daji village located in the Borgu Local Government Area (LGA).
The gunmen also abducted an unknown number of people and set fire to market stalls and nearby homes.
Other concerning incidents were reported elsewhere, including in Agwara LGA – where a mass abduction occurred in November following an attack on Saint Mary’s Catholic School. More than 300 people, mostly students, were captured and later released.
Grave rights violations
“These attacks are grave violations of human rights, including the right to life and the protection of civilians, particularly women and children, and undermine the right to education,” UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator Mohamed Malick Fall said in a statement.
“Students, schools, and education personnel must be protected from any form of attack. No child should ever be at risk while pursuing an education – a fundamental right for all children.”
He recalled that the UN has reiterated the need for the implementation of the Safe Schools Declaration in Nigeria.
More than 120 countries have endorsed the 2015 Declaration which outlines commitments to boost the protection of education from attack and bar the use of schools and universities for military purposes during armed conflict.
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Lebanon: UN peacekeepers report more Israeli airstrikes and direct fire
Peacekeepers from the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) reported three airstrikes in their area of operations on Monday.
The mission also detected fighter aircraft activity and reported small arm and tank fire from Israel Defense Forces (IDF) positions south of the Blue Line of separation, the peacekeeper-patrolled buffer zone between Israel and Lebanon.
Holding the line
To prevent further escalation, the mission, along with the UN Special Coordinator for the country (UNSCOL), remains in close contact with both parties.
The head of UN Peace Operations, Jean-Pierre Lacroix, is currently in the region visiting UNIFIL headquarters and the Blue Line.
Recalling the progress made since the ceasefire between Israeli forces and Hezbollah militants entered into force in November 2024, the UN stressed that the cessation of hostilities arrangement rather than unilateral actions, should be used to prevent to ensure security on both sides of the line of separation.
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