Children’s toys are covered in snow outside a residential building in Kyiv during prolonged winter power and heating outages.
This article is published in association with United Nations.
The UN Commission of Inquiry on Syria has welcomed a ceasefire agreement between the Syrian Government and the mainly-Kurdish Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), urging all parties to seize the moment to protect civilians and prevent further violations in the country’s northeast.
“We welcome efforts to bring stability to the region and now hope for a complete end to hostilities and a sustainable resolution,” said Chair of the independent UN Human Rights Council-mandated investigative team, Paulo Pinheiro, stressing the need to address acute humanitarian needs, including food, water and electricity.
Recognition of rights
He also welcomed a recent presidential decree recognising the cultural and citizenship rights of Syria’s Kurdish population.
The independent investigators called for strict adherence to international humanitarian law, warning of alarming reports of killings, abuse and desecration of bodies.
“We are investigating alleged violations and abuses and will report on them in due course,” said Commissioner Monia Ammar.
Cold winter conditions, combined with limited access to basic services, risk proving catastrophic for displaced families, particularly children, the Commission warned. It voiced grave concern over the situation of detained children in prisons and camps, including Al-Hol – where thousands of family member of alleged former ISIL fighters are being held.
While noting some resumption of aid deliveries, Commissioner Fionnuala Ní Aoláin said assistance “must be augmented” and urged authorities to enable the safe and dignified return of women and children, while calling on States to urgently repatriate their child nationals.
UN urges ‘true mutual ceasefires’ for 2026 Winter Olympics
The UN General Assembly has called on warring parties in conflicts worldwide to agree to “true mutual ceasefires” during the 2026 Olympic Winter Games, reviving the ancient principle of the Olympic Truce.
Taking note of a Solemn Appeal for the 80th session, read out by Germany’s Annalena Baerbock, who presides over the body, Member States were urged to use the Games as a window for peace.
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Humanity’s ‘common ground’
“The Olympic Truce proves that, even in times of division, humanity can still find common ground through sport,” she said.
The appeal recalls the Greek tradition of the ekecheiria, or Olympic Truce, which the Assembly has endorsed ahead of each Summer and Winter Games.
The upcoming Milano-Cortina Games will begin shortly, with the truce traditionally observed from seven days before the opening ceremony, until seven days after the Paralympics conclude.
“The Games will bring together athletes from all parts of the world,” Ms. Baerbock said, “as a means to promote peace, mutual understanding and goodwill among nations.”
The International Olympic Committee will fly the UN flag at Olympic venues as a symbol of peace.
UNICEF steps up winter response to protect children and families amid Ukraine’s harsh cold
Ukraine is once again facing a bitterly cold winter, with temperatures regularly dropping to around minus 20 degrees Celsius, or minus 4 Fahrenheit.
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The severe weather, combined with the widespread destruction of housing, energy, and heating infrastructure, continues to make the winter months particularly harsh, especially for children.
Among them is three-year-old Dasha, who has spent the past nine days in a flat without heating. Each night, her mother, Iryna, fills two five-litre plastic bottles with hot water and tucks them into Dasha’s cot.
The challenges are compounded by rising poverty: among households with children, the rate has increased from 43 percent in 2021 to 65 percent in 2023.
Well over 3 million displaced
Today, around 3.3 million people, including more than half a million children, remain displaced within Ukraine.
Last year, the UN children agency’s (UNICEF) winter response reached 2.3 million people, including 380,000 children.
In 2026, UNICEF appealed for $65 million to meet the needs of at least one million vulnerable people including 170,000 children.
Drawing on lessons from past winter campaigns, UNICEF’s response this year will focus on providing cost-effective cash support to families and schools, and strengthening district heating systems to ensure long-term, sustainable warmth.
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