World News in Brief: Gaza education update, the General Assembly at 80, Venezuela’s humanitarian needs

This article is published in association with United Nations.

More children in war-ravaged Gaza are now back in the classroom, the UN aid coordination office (OCHA) said on Friday. 

Ten additional temporary learning sites in Gaza Governorate have been renovated so far this month, and more than 440 spaces are operational overall, serving roughly 270,000 pupils supported by more than 6,300 teachers.  

The UN and partners continue to push for the lifting of restrictions on education supplies, including stationery, so that more children can get back to learning.  

Humanitarians also continue to assist people affected by the recent deadly winter storms that hit the Gaza Strip. More than 200 tents were distributed to families this week, alongside thousands of tarpaulins, blankets, warm clothes, cooking and serving utensils, as well as solar lights.  

Across Gaza, more than one million people still require shelter assistance and durable shelter solutions, including repairs to damaged homes.   

© United Nations/Shaun Ottway

Guterres in London for 80th anniversary of first UN General Assembly meeting 

UN Secretary-General António Guterres arrived in London on Friday where he will participate in a special event to mark the 80th anniversary of the first meeting of the General Assembly, held in the UK capital in 1946.  

The Secretary-General had discussions with Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and thanked him for the UK’s continued support for multilateralism and its active role in the UN.  

The two leaders discussed the war in Ukraine, Sudan, the Middle East and UN reform, among other topics.  

The Secretary-General also met the Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, and their talks focused on the role of cities in dealing with climate change.  

On Saturday, the Secretary-General will deliver the keynote address at the United Nations Association of the United Kingdom (UNA-UK) conference, which will take place at Methodist Central Hall in London where the first General Assembly meeting was held.   

UN Deputy Spokesman Farhan Haq previewed his remarks – entitled ‘UNGA at 80: From 1946 to Our Future’ – during the regular media briefing at Headquarters in New York. 

“The Secretary-General is expected to say that as we wish to make the world fairer, it is critical that the international system reflects today’s reality, including the drive to update the Security Council and to reform the unjust and unfair international financial architecture,” Mr. Haq told journalists.  

“He will say that at a time when the values of multilateralism are being chipped away, the world needs civil society movements everywhere that are fearless and persistent and that make it impossible for leaders to look away.”  

Venezuela: One in four people needs humanitarian assistance 

Humanitarians continue to deliver aid across Venezuela, including food, school meals, healthcare and psychosocial support, UN aid coordination office OCHA said in an update on Friday. 

Years of turmoil have left many families without reliable support, and one in four people requires humanitarian assistance. 

The UN and partners continue to coordinate with authorities, monitor needs nationwide and inform people about humanitarian services available to them.  

OCHA urged donors to keep supporting aid efforts in the country, noting that the 2026 humanitarian response plan for Venezuela calls for just over $600 million.  

In 2025, the response plan was only 17 per cent funded – among the lowest globally.