This article is published in association with United Nations. More than 1,000 people have been killed and 2,584 injured in Lebanon since the start of the US-Israel war on Iran, UN officials said Saturday. Key points “Recent escalation has killed or wounded the equivalent of one classroom of children every day,” said Ted Chaiban, deputy chief […]War in the Middle East: Iran nuclear facility hit as equivalent of ‘one classroom of children’ killed, wounded daily in Lebanon
March 23, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. More than 1,000 people have been killed and 2,584 injured in Lebanon since the start of the US-Israel war on Iran, UN officials said Saturday. Key points “Recent escalation has killed or wounded the equivalent of one classroom of children every day,” said Ted Chaiban, deputy chief […]Middle East war shockwaves ripple through Asia-Pacific fuel and supply chains
March 20, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. The fallout from the war in the Middle East is rippling far beyond the Gulf, disrupting fuel supplies, shipping routes and supply chains across Asia and the Pacific, with some of the region’s most vulnerable economies already feeling the strain through rising prices, rationing and threats to […]Humanitarian needs in Gaza deepen as aid access remains constrained
March 19, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. Humanitarian needs are continuing to grow again across Gaza, the UN agency assisting Palestine refugees (UNRWA) said on Wednesday, amid mounting pressures on aid delivery and the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. “Families face ongoing hardship” as access to essential aid remains limited and many continue […]Middle East war risks pushing 45 million more people into acute hunger
March 18, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. The Middle East war could cause the worst disruption to lifesaving humanitarian work since COVID, the UN World Food Programme (WFP) warned on Tuesday, as the UN chief again demanded an end to the widening conflict. “The Secretary-General asserts once more that the war in the Middle […]Middle East war’s ‘spiral of conflict’ drives mounting civilian toll
March 17, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. The widening war in the Middle East and its growing impact on civilians came under scrutiny at the UN in Geneva on Monday, as independent experts briefing the Human Rights Council warned of escalating violence following the onset of Israeli and US strikes on Iran and counterstrikes […]Middle East war: Women in Lebanon forced to give birth on roadside
March 16, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. 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. “There’s 11,600 pregnant women who […]‘Perfect storm’: Lebanon crisis deepens as civilians bear the brunt
March 13, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. 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. The current escalation began on 2 March, when outgoing fire by Hezbollah drew a strong retaliation from […]UN relief chief condemns ‘$1 billion-a-day’ cost of war in Middle East
March 12, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. 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. “We’re seeing the consequences spread faster than we can respond”, warned the UN emergency […]‘Toxic rain’ warning from oil depot strikes amid ongoing Middle East war
March 11, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. 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. Speaking to reporters in Geneva, UN Human […]Nearly 700,000 displaced in Lebanon as Middle East crisis escalates
March 10, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. 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. In Lebanon alone, nearly 700,000 people including around 200,000 children […]Lebanon ‘dragged back into turmoil’, UN envoy warns
March 9, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. 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 […]MIDDLE EAST LIVE: Further escalation drives uncertainty and suffering
March 6, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. 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 […]MIDDLE EAST LIVE: Conflict continues across region amid US, Israeli and Iranian strikes
March 5, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. 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 […]Iran crisis: Schoolgirls killed, thousands displaced and aid compromised
March 4, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. 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. UN human rights office spokesperson Ravina Shamdasani also recalled […]MIDDLE EAST LIVE: Strikes continue from US, Israel and Iran as UN urges restraint
March 3, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. 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 […]Deadly bombing of Iran primary school ‘a grave violation of humanitarian law’: UNESCO
March 2, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. 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. The missiles reportedly destroyed a girl’s primary school in Minab, southern Iran, killing around 150 and […]Attacks on Iran and retaliatory strikes ‘undermine international peace and security’
March 1, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. 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. The attack on Iran reportedly targeted military sites as well as the leadership of the Iranian […]Palestine: UN rights chief highlights suffering, atrocity crimes ‘that remain unpunished
February 27, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. The UN rights chief Volker Türk on Thursday highlighted the “human-made disaster” across the Occupied Palestinian Territory stemming from Israel’s disregard for human rights norms and serious violations also committed by Hamas and other Palestinian armed groups. Citing a new report from his office (OHCHR) covering the […]Ukraine wakes to more violence as Russia’s invasion enters fifth year
February 25, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. The full-scale invasion of Ukraine by Russian troops on 24 February 2022 shattered the peaceful aspirations of an entire continent, but war must never be the new normal, UN General Assembly President Annalena Baerbock said on Tuesday. “Four years ago, people in Europe woke up in another […]World News in Brief: UN humanitarian chief visits South Sudan, shelter fire risks in Gaza, West Bank violence
February 23, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. The UN Emergency Relief Coordinator arrived in South Sudan on Friday to visit one of the most under-reported humanitarian crises in the world, as clashes between government and opposition forces continue in Jonglei state. Tom Fletcher will focus on the deteriorating humanitarian situation in the world’s youngest country and escalating protection risks for both civilians and aid workers. […]Ukraine’s women at breaking point after four years of war as attacks on energy, healthcare continue – UN humanitarians
February 21, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. Four years into Russia’s full-scale invasion, millions in Ukraine struggle to keep the lights on and heat their homes, with the crisis taking a particular toll on women, humanitarians warned on Friday. Freshly back from a visit to the country UN Women’s Chief of Humanitarian Action Sofia […]Fears of ethnic cleansing in Gaza and the West Bank: UN rights report
February 20, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. Increased Israeli attacks and the forced transfer of Palestinians have sparked concern over ethnic cleansing in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, the UN human rights office, OHCHR, said in a report issued on Thursday. The report covers the period from 1 November 2024 to 31 October 2025 and is […]As conditions worsen in Ukraine, refugees struggle to return
February 17, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. As Ukraine prepares to enter the fifth year of the full-scale Russian invasion on 24 February, UN monitors say harm to civilians has “demonstrably worsened”, while energy attacks and freezing temperatures are making it harder for displaced families to return. “More people are killed and injured each […]Gaza: Lifesaving aid operations continue despite restrictions
February 16, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. Humanitarians in the Gaza Strip continue to face impediments in their efforts to deliver lifesaving aid to the population. The United Nations said that its teams attempted to coordinate eight humanitarian missions on Friday and five were fully facilitated. The remaining three – which included a mission to reach a water treatment plant in Khan Younis – were denied […]Guterres welcomes resumption of Iran-US talks
February 9, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. UN Secretary-General António Guterres on Friday welcomed the resumption of talks between Iran and the United States. The development follows weeks of tensions surrounding Iran’s nuclear programme and threats of a US military attack. Delegations headed by US Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff and Iran’s Foreign […]Ukraine war keeps nuclear safety on a knife-edge, UN watchdog warns
February 7, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. Attacks on Ukraine’s power system highlight how the ongoing war threatens the safety of the country’s nuclear facilities, the head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) warned on Friday. Russian forces have been carrying out strikes on critical infrastructure amid freezing winter temperatures as their full-scale invasion approaches the […]Ukraine: Civilians injured, miners killed, in separate Russian attacks
February 4, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. A fresh wave of Russian strikes overnight across Ukraine injured several people and left thousands “without heat in the heart of winter,” the UN Humanitarian Coordinator in the country said on Tuesday. Matthias Schmale was “appalled” by the attacks in Dnipro, Kharkiv and Kyiv, noting that many more people in several […]Gaza: Limited Rafah crossing reopening sparks hope – but also ‘massive trepidation’
February 3, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. The reopening of the Rafah crossing in the southern Gaza Strip on Monday after more than a year is being met with both optimism and fear, a senior official with the UN agency that assists the Palestinian people, UNRWA, has said. The sole border point with Egypt is a […]South Sudan: ‘All the conditions for a human catastrophe are present’
February 2, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. Military tensions in South Sudan are “rapidly expanding” between Government forces and opposition militia as fighting continues in restive Jonglei state. Briefing journalists based at UN Headquarters in New York on Friday, Anita Kiki Gbeho, Officer in Charge of the UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS), said […]World News in Brief: Syria ceasefire welcomed, ‘Olympic truce’, Ukraine’s freezing children
January 31, 2026 by Leave a Comment
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 […]Potential turning point for Gaza as peace plan enters second phase: UN envoy
January 29, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with United Nations. The start of a second phase of a stabilisation plan for Gaza offers a potential turning point for the war-ravaged enclave, a senior UN official told the Security Council on Wednesday. Ramiz Alakbarov warned that risks of violence escalating again remain high, while the situation in the […]Gaza ceasefire improves aid access, but children still face deadly conditions
January 28, 2026 by Leave a Comment
The fragile ceasefire in the Gaza Strip is making a difference to the lives of over a million children, and improving overall access to food – but more aid still needs to enter. That’s the assessment of two senior officials from the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and the World Food Programme (WFP), speaking on Monday to journalists in New York following a […]A new blow for UNRWA as headquarters in East Jerusalem ‘set on fire’
January 27, 2026 by Leave a Comment
© UNRWA Destruction at UNRWA headquarters in East Jerusalem after Israeli authorities sent in bulldozers on 20 January. This article is published in association with United Nations. The head of embattled UN relief agency for Palestinians, UNRWA, has condemned reports that its headquarters in East Jerusalem have been set alight deliberately. It comes after Israeli authorities […]
