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Beirut/New York, 13 March 2026 – The United Nations has launched an appeal for US$ 308 million to provide life-saving assistance to nearly one million people in Lebanon for the next three months as the country is drawn into the war in the region.

Speaking from Beirut, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said he was in Lebanon to show solidarity with the people there and “solidarity in words must be matched by solidarity in action.” He urged donors to provide rapid funding to expand life-saving assistance.

Guterres said funds are urgently needed because access to food, water, health care, education, and basic services has been dangerously disrupted while the military escalation across the region is taking a terrible toll, including in Lebanon, He said hundreds of people were killed in Lebanon and more than 750,000 were displaced inside the country while more than 90,000 others have crossed into Syria.

He pointed out that currently Muslim families are observing the holy month of Ramadan, and Christian families are marking Lent. “These are seasons rooted in compassion and generosity.”

Imran Riza, the UN’s Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Lebanon, has warned that Lebanon is facing a “perfect storm of unpredictable challenges” as the current escalation began on 2 March when outgoing fire by Hezbollah was met by strong retaliation by Israel. Riza said it resulted in mass displacement and dwindling humanitarian resources converge, UN News reported

“The toll on civilians is huge,” Riza said in an interview with Reem Abaza of UN News, pointing to the number of children among those killed. Eighty-three children were killed in the first week of the conflict, he said, with children accounting for about 20 per cent of overall fatalities, while women make up roughly 21 per cent.

The numbers underscore what Riza described as a recurring pattern in modern conflicts, where civilians – and particularly children – are disproportionately affected.

Displacement is also disrupting education across the country. Around 120,000displaced people are staying in collective shelters, most of them set up in public schools. Classrooms have been turned into temporary living spaces, leaving many children without access to schooling.

“Not only are children getting killed and displaced,” the senior official said, “but also children are not having the opportunity to have their right to education.”

UNHCR: Up to 3.2 million Iranians temporarily displaced in Iran as conflict intensifies

While the UN Chief launched a humanitarian appeal to support Lebanon, the UN refugee agency in Geneva said large numbers of Iranians have been displaced by the war launched the US and Israel against their country. Ayaki Ito, UNHCR Director of Emergency and Programme Support and Cross-Regional Refugee Response Coordinator for the Middle East Emergency issued the following statement.

Geneva, 12 March, 2026 – Between 600,000 and 1 million Iranian households are now temporarily displaced inside Iran as a result of the ongoing conflict, according to preliminary assessments, representing up to 3.2 million people. Most of them are reportedly fleeing from Tehran and other major urban areas towards the north of the country and rural areas to seek safety. This figure is likely to continue rising as hostilities persist, marking a worrying escalation in humanitarian needs.

Also affected are refugee families hosted in the country, mostly Afghans, who are particularly vulnerable, given their already precarious situation and limited support networks. Families are leaving affected areas amid rising insecurity and limited access to essential services.

With its longstanding presence in Iran – including operational reception areas, helplines and ongoing support services – UNHCR is adapting its response to growing needs, working with national authorities and partners to assess emerging requirements and strengthen preparedness as population movements increase.

UNHCR emphasizes the urgent need to protect civilians, maintain humanitarian access, and ensure borders remain open to those seeking safety, in line with international obligations.

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Note: The below press release from the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) highlights that the conflict between Afghanistan and Pakistan is having deadly and devastating consequences. More than 115,000 people have been displaced by the violence and many are living in informal camps with little support.

Oslo, 13 March 2026 – Escalating conflict along the Afghanistan–Pakistan border is having a devastating impact on civilians in eastern Afghanistan, displacing 115,000 people since 26 February. Civilians must be protected and humanitarian organizations must be granted safe access to reach families in need, said the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC).

In the first eight days of the conflict 56 civilians were killed and a further 129 injured. 

“Afghanistan is facing crisis on top of crisis, and it is civilians who are paying the highest price,” said Jacopo Caridi, NRC’s country director for Afghanistan. “All parties to the conflict must abide by international humanitarian law and ensure civilians, and civilian infrastructure, are protected.”

“Families who were already on the brink of survival have been forced from their homes. Thousands have found refuge in makeshift camps and with local families. Others are being forced to rent sub-standard accommodation they can little afford. They have lost access to clean water, health services, and schooling. We urgently need funding to be able to scale up our support to these families.”

826 homes have been damaged or destroyed in the conflict. NRC teams speaking with displaced communities in Kunar and Nangarhar provinces reported particular concern for child- and women-headed households and the elderly, many of whom said they had received no assistance. 

More than 25,000 people who were displaced by the earthquake in Kunar province six months ago are subject to evacuation orders. They have been forced to return to their areas of origin, where little to no services are available, risking their health and wellbeing. Another 14,500 people are at risk of being displaced for a second time.

Afghanistan has been hit hard by aid funding cuts and currently is one of the lowest funded humanitarian responses globally. Now conflict is preventing people from accessing even the limited support available. NRC has been forced to suspend education classes in Khost province due to the conflict meaning 626 children have lost access to education.

Health services at more than 20 facilities have been suspended due to insecurity, including five which have been damaged in airstrikes and shelling. World Food Programme (WFP) were also forced to temporarily suspend food distributions.

NRC is scaling up its support to affected families as quickly as possible, including providing cash to more than 4,300 people to allow them to buy what they need the most. Another 4,000 displaced people will be given cash in the coming days.

“We left everything behind,” said Bakhtiar, a father of six, who fled from Torkham, near the border with Pakistan. “Our belongings, our clothes, everything. We don’t even know what has happened to our house.” 

NRC supported the family with cash which Bakhtiar says will help for some time. “But if this conflict continues, it will not be enough. We have lost everything. We ask the international community not to forget us. We are living in very difficult conditions and have nothing left,” Bakhtiar adds.

Afghans in Iran are also being affected by instability in the region. Iran hosts more than 4.4 million Afghans, up to 1.4 million of whom are undocumented and at risk of forced return.

Some families are returning to Afghanistan due to safety concerns, with a reported 1,700 people currently returning daily. One Afghan man who returned told NRC teams: “If the war had not started, I would not have returned. Survival became impossible.” 

“With a world in turmoil, Afghans must not be forgotten,” said Caridi. “Rising food prices and closed borders are making survival even harder for families whose lives have already been shattered by conflict.”

Notes to editors: 

• From the evening of 26 February to 3 March, airstrikes and border clashes between Afghanistan and Pakistan affected ten provinces in Afghanistan: Kabul, Kandahar, Khost, Kunar, Laghman, Nangarhar, Nuristan, Parwan, Paktia and Paktika. A total of 115,000 people have been displaced as of 5 March (OCHA). 
• Between 26 February to 5 March 2026, 56 civilians were killed and a further 129 injured in Afghanistan by indirect fire and aerial attacks (UNAMA). 
• Health services at more than 20 facilities have been suspended due to the insecurity, including five which have been damaged in airstrikes and shelling (Health cluster).  
• 826 homes have been damaged or destroyed in the conflict including 103 which have been completely destroyed (CRNA). 
• Some 3,640 families (25,480 people) displaced following the 31 August 2025 eastern region earthquake and living in informal settlements in Kunar Province have been evacuated or received evacuation orders due to their proximity to a military compound and forced to return to their areas of origin. A further 2,074 families (14,520 people) earthquake IDPs living in Kunar and Nangarhar face the prospect of secondary displacement (OCHA). 
• NRC provided 4,300 displaced people in Nangarhar province with cash support and will continue to support families in need with cash in the coming weeks. We are working to further scale up our support to families affected. 
• 21 NRC education classes in border districts of Khost Province were suspended on 1 March due to the conflict. As a result, 626 children have lost access to education.  
• Already this year, around 110,000 Afghans have returned from Iran, with roughly 1,700 each day since the onset of the conflict in the Middle East. Over 5 million Afghans returned from neighbouring countries over the past two years – including almost 1.9 million from Iran in 2025 alone (UNHCR). 
• NRC’s February press release on six months after the Kunar earthquake outlines the harsh conditions displaced people in the area are facing and compounding factor of lack of funding.  
• In 2026, 21.9 million people across Afghanistan require humanitarian assistance, with 17.4 million people food insecure (OCHA).  
• A total of 1.71 billion US dollars is required to meet the needs of 17.5 million people targeted for assistance. As of mid-March, just 178.5 million, or 10.4 per cent, has been delivered (OCHA).   
• Iran is currently home to more than 4.4 million Afghans, 1.4 million of whom are undocumented (UNHCR). 
•  

For more information or to arrange an interview, please contact: 

NRC has teams on the ground supporting families, photo and b-roll is available here, and we have spokespeople in Kabul, who have just returned from the border area.

Please get in touch to arrange an interview.

• NRC global media hotline: media@nrc.no, +47 905 62 329 
• Maisam Shafiey, advocacy and communication manager, Kabul, Afghanistan: Maisam.Shafiey@nrc.no,  +93706453029 

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New York – 10 March 2026 – The United Nations marked the International Women’s Day this year while the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) began its annual meeting at UN Headquarters and has adopted a set of Agreed Conclusions to strengthen access to justice for all women and girls.

CSW is the UN’s principal intergovernmental body dedicated to advancing gender equality and women’s empowerment globally. Established 70 years ago, the Commission held its meetings in New York attended by delegations of women from around the world under the theme “Rights. Justice. Action.” The UN celebrates the International Women’s Day 9 March each year and the CSW meets 9-19 March.

The Commission said the Agreed Conclusions aimed at “Ensuring and strengthening access to justice for all women and girls, including by promoting inclusive and equitable legal systems, eliminating discriminatory laws, policies, and practices and addressing structural barriers.” The Agreed Conclusions are considered a global policy to guide governments, UN agencies and non-governmental organizations on gender equality issues.

The commission said the Agreed Conclusions were adopted with 37 votes in favor against one (the United States) with six abstentions: Côte d’Ivoire, Egypt, Mali, Mauritania and Saudi Arabia.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said in an address opening the meeting that

the CSW has been from the beginning a “meeting ground of frontline defenders. A wellspring of conviction, passion, and energy. And a global platform for truth-telling.”

“So let me begin with an often unspoken, but age-old, truth: We live in a male-dominated world and a male-dominated culture. Gender equality is – and always has been – a question of power.

He said, “Not a single step forward for women’s rights has ever been given. It has been won. Won by generations of women and girls, advocates and activists, community

leaders and justice seekers. Won by you.”

The UN Chief said women around the globe hold only 64 per cent of the legal rights enjoyed by men. ”In a world strained by conflict, climate chaos, widening inequalities and technological upheaval, the pushback on women’s rights is in overdrive,” he said. “Hard-won legal protections are being eroded.”

“Yet, over 40 countries have amended constitutions to advance women’s rights; 90 per cent have strengthened laws against violence. “The world is changing because women are changing it. But we have barriers to overcome and gaps to fill – opportunity gaps, implementation gaps, justice gaps.” 

Governments reach a powerful global agreement to strengthen access to justice for all women and girls, UN Women Executive Director says

New York – As the largest United Nations convening dedicated to gender equality and women’s rights opens today, governments meeting at the 70th Session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW70) have adopted by broad consensus a powerful set of Agreed Conclusions aimed at strengthening access to justice for all women and girls and advancing gender equality worldwide.

Through this negotiated outcome, global leaders reaffirmed that access to justice is a transformative force for women and girls, which advances equality and non-discrimination, protects against violence and abuse, and strengthens trust in institutions. The Agreed Conclusions provide a roadmap to build more inclusive governance, support peace and social cohesion, and prevent future violations.

Welcoming its adoption, Under-Secretary-General and Executive Director of UN Women Sima Bahous said: “I applaud the delegations that have worked tirelessly to reach these Agreed Conclusions. They represent an important commitment to advancing access to justice for women and girls, ending impunity, and building justice systems that work for everyone, equally. By coming together, governments are once again demonstrating to the world what this Commission can achieve – and what our multilateral system can deliver for women and girls.”

The Chair of the Commission on the Status of Women, Ambassador Martiza Chan of Costa Rica, reflected on the importance of carrying these commitments forward beyond the session, noting: “We came here to commemorate, and we’re leaving with something harder to carry – responsibility.

Every woman who spoke to us today carried a single message: behind every statistic is a life, behind every negotiating position, is a woman or girl waiting to see if we mean what we say.” 

“The answer depends on political will”, she concluded. 

Media enquiries
media.team@unwomen.org

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New York, 28 February 2026 – United Nations leaders warned against the spread of the war in Iran into countries in the Middle East as the UN Security Council convened an emergency meeting after the United States and Israel launched military strikes against Iran and the later retaliated with attacks against US bases in the region.

The United States told the council its military action aimed at dismantling Iran’s military capabilities, including nuclear weapons, that have threatened other countries.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said at the opening of the meeting of the 15-nation Security Council: “I have condemned the massive military strikes by the United States and Israel against Iran. I also condemned the subsequent attacks by Iran violating the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Bahrain, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates.”

Guterres said about 20 cities across Iran — including Tehran, Isfahan, Qom, Shahriar, and Tabriz — have reportedly been attacked, causing a “significant” number of civilian casualties. “We are witnessing a grave threat to international peace and security,” he said, adding that the UN Charter and international law must be respected.

“The region and the world need a way out now.,” the UN chief said. “I call for de-escalation and an immediate cessation of hostilities. The alternative is a potential wider conflict with grave consequences for civilians and regional stability. I strongly urge all parties to return immediately to the negotiating table, notably on the Iran nuclear programme.”

Annalena Bearbock, the president of the 193-nation UN General Assembly, said in a statement, “I condemn the extremely dangerous military escalation in the Middle East. The UN Charter is clear: all Member States must settle their international disputes by peaceful means in such a manner that international peace and security, and justice, are not endangered. They must also refrain in their international relations from the threat or use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any state, or in any other manner inconsistent with the purposes of the United Nations.”

“Serious concerns regarding Iran’s nuclear program, regional activities, and human rights violations must be addressed in accordance with the UN Charter and international law. I call on the United States, Israel, and Iran to de-escalate, to not drag neighboring countries into this conflict and to return to diplomacy and negotiations.”

US says attacks directed at “specific and strategic” targets in Iran – US Ambassador Mike Waltz told the council, “Operation Epic Fury is directed toward specific and strategic objectives: to dismantle missile capabilities that threaten allies, to degrade naval assets used to destabilize international waters, and to disrupt the machinery that arms proxy militias and to ensure the Iranian regime, never ever can threaten the world with a nuclear weapon.”

“As President Trump said last night, for decades, the Iranian regime has willfully destabilized the world. It has killed American forces and citizens, threatened regional allies, and jeopardized the security of international shipping upon which the world depends. Its massive support for violent proxies, declared terrorist organizations – the Houthis, Hizballah, Hamas, and others – has brought bloodshed and disorder across the Middle East for far too long. This is not speculation; we know this to be true and our men and women have paid for the actions of this regime and the IRGC with their lives.”

“No responsible nation can ignore persistent aggression and violence. No responsible nation can ignore persistent aggression and violence,” Waltz said. “The regime in Tehran has led attacks that have cost American lives, hundreds of U.S. Marines in Lebanon, thousands of troops in Iraq; American hostage after hostage has suffered; our ships fired upon dozens of times in the Red Sea. Iran has armed and financed militant organizations that undermine lawful governments and destabilize an already fragile region.”

Iran urges UN Security Council to discharge its duties – Iran’s Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghechi said in a letter to the UN immediately after the attacks by the US and Israel that UN Security Council members must “discharge their duties without delay.” He said his country will use all military “defensive capabilities and means to confront this criminal aggression and deter the hostile acts.”

Iran’s Ambassador Amir Saeid Iravani told the council: “This morning, the United States regime – jointly and in coordination with the Israeli regime – initiated an unprovoked and premeditated aggression against the Islamic Republic of Iran for the second time in recent months.”

“This is not only an act of aggression; it is a war crime and a crime against humanity,” he insisted, accusing the US and Israel of deliberately attacking civilian populated areas in multiple large cities. The invocation to ‘pre-emptive attack,’ claims of imminent threat, or other unsubstantiated political claims, are unfounded legally, morally and politically.”

Israel: Iran is an existential threat – Israel’s Ambassador Danny Danon said his country joined the US in military action against Iran to stop “an existential threat before it became irreversible.”

Danon said Israel acted out of necessity because the regime left no reasonable alternative, building nuclear weapons in disregard for international law, murdering its own citizens and crushing dissent, expanding missile arsenals and arming proxies across the region – all while declaring its intention to erase Israel from the map.

“They were building the means to force an irreversible reality with our backs against the wall. That is not a future Israel will accept,” he said. (By J. Tuyet Nguyen)

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Note: This weekend marks six month since the devastating earthquake in eastern Afghanistan. The below press release from the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) warns that the sharp decline in funding risks the closure of services for affected families and puts them in danger of being displaced again.

Oslo, 26 February 2026 – Six months on from the 6.0-magnitude earthquake which hit Kunar province, eastern Afghanistan, on 31^st August 2025, funding for humanitarian support to affected families has sharply declined, risking the closure of many services. Without urgent support families are in danger of being displaced again, warns the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC).

• The 6.0-magnitude earthquake that hit Kunar province killed over 2,150 people. An estimated 499,000 people were affected, including 221,000 in acute need of urgent assistance. 186,000 people were assessed as needing shelter and non-food items (NFI) assistance (OCHA). 8,000 homes were destroyed (OCHA).
• US$ 111.5 million are required for the earthquake response (OCHA).

“Thousands of families who lost their homes in August’s devastating earthquake are still in limbo. Many have been living in tents or makeshift shelters since the disaster. They have had to endure six months of harsh weather and a biting winter with little more than canvas over their heads,” said Jacopo Caridi, NRC’s country director for Afghanistan. “Now many humanitarian organisations including NRC are running out of funding and will be forced to end their work in the area. This will mean the closure of key services and little chance of proper shelters for families who lost everything.”

“We fear that the scale-back of support means people will have no choice but to seek services and a future elsewhere in the country, adding more displacement and distress. International donors must step up to support the long-term future of Afghans, just as they stepped up to support them when the earthquake struck. Families must be helped to rebuild their lives where they are.”

In August, 8,000 families lost their homes in the earthquake, with a total of 186,000 people requiring emergency shelter support and basic household items. NRC and other humanitarian organisations provided families with emergency tents alongside other key services such as clean water, food, and healthcare. Local authorities also provided shelters for the most vulnerable families, however their funding is also limited making international support vital.

Emergency tents are life-saving in a crisis, but are designed to be stop-gap in the first weeks and months of displacement. They are not adequate as long-term housing.

“We are still living in tents, and our partially repaired house is not safe enough for my family,” said 27-year-old Gul Bacha, who lives in Kunar province. “The emergency assistance helped us survive the first months, but since then, support has stopped. With food distributions ending, we are worried about how we will manage in the coming months. Without continued assistance, families like mine remain at serious risk.”

A lack of aid funding for Afghanistan is leaving significant gaps in the humanitarian response. In 2025, just over 41 per cent of required funding was delivered. This does not take into account the widespread cuts to humanitarian aid from US and many European countries, which will only become evident this year.

Emergency shelter and non-food items were the most underfunded sector across the country with little over 16 per cent of required funds delivered last year. In 2026, the level of required funding so far delivered currently stands at under 1 per cent.The gaps in aid funding means longer-term interventions, after the acute phase of an emergency has passed, are often missing. This includes more substantial shelters, water and sanitation infrastructure, and livelihood support so people can rebuild their lives. This means Afghans are trapped in a cycle of emergencies, unable to plan for their futures or provide for their families.

“As the contraction of global aid funding forces donors to make difficult choices about which crisis to support, families are having their choices taken from them. Afghanistan requires aid today to help the 21.9 million people in need across the country, including the millions who have recently returned with almost nothing from Pakistan and Iran,” said Caridi.

Notes to editors:

• Photos from Kunar are available for free use here and b-roll is available here.
• A 6.0-magnitude earthquake hit Kunar province on 31^st August 2025 killed over 2,150 people. An estimated 499,000 people were affected, including 221,000 in acute need of urgent assistance. 186,000 people were assessed as needing shelter and non-food items (NFI) assistance (OCHA). 8,000 homes were destroyed (OCHA).
• US$ 111.5 million are required for the earthquake response (OCHA).
• In 2026, 21.9 million people across Afghanistan require humanitarian assistance (OCHA). A total of 1.71 billion US dollars is required to meet the needs of 17.5 million people targeted for assistance. As of mid-February, just 156.6 million, or 9.1 per cent, has been delivered (OCHA).
• In 2025, 2.42 billion US dollars was required for the humanitarian response in Afghanistan. By the end of the year just 996 million, or 41.2 per cent, was delivered (OCHA).
• Emergency shelter and NFI requires 160.3 million US dollars in 2026. Just 1.5 million US dollars, or 0.9 per cent, has been delivered to date (OCHA). In 2025, 179.1 million US dollars was required and 29.4 million (16.4 per cent) was delivered (OCHA). This makes emergency shelter and NFI the lowest of all sectors in 2025 and 2026.
• In 2026, the Shelter Cluster in Afghanistan reduced its targets for emergency shelter by 14 per cent, NFI assistance and seasonal winter support by 30 per cent in comparison to 2025 targets. This adjustment is due to increased prioritisation to realistically reflect the shrinking funding environment impacting humanitarian operations and programmes (OCHA).
• NRC has supported families impacted by the earthquake in the hardest-hit areas of Kunar, Nangarhar, and Laghman provinces. NRC has reached more than 60,000 people with assistance tailored to urgent needs, including the construction and rehabilitation of water systems and latrines, distribution of emergency food, multipurpose cash and winterisation support, hygiene and shelter repair kits, as well as protection counselling services. Six months on, needs remain severe. However, due to funding constraints, NRC is forced to phase out its operations in the area, while continuing to support displaced communities across the country through its water and sanitation, shelter, protection, education, and information and legal advice. 

For more information or to arrange an interview, please contact: NRC global media hotline: media@nrc.no, +47 905 62 329 – Maisam Shafiey, advocacy and communication manager, Kabul, Afghanistan: Maisam.Shafiey@nrc.no,  +93706453029

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New York, 24 February 2026 – With the Russian-led war in Ukraine entering a fifth year, the United Nations General Assembly renewed its support for the war-torn country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, and it called for an immediate, full and unconditional cease-fire.

The 193-nation assembly adopted a resolution titled “Support for lasting peace in Ukraine”, which called for the cease-fire, with a 107-12 vote. A total of 51 countries abstained, including the United States. The war broke out on February 24, 2022, in what Annalena Baerbock, President of the UN General Assembly, said had shattered the peaceful aspirations of the European continent.

The United States abstained after its delegation to the United Nations failed to convince the assembly to take a separate vote on two paragraphs included the resolution, which it said would “distract” from current US diplomatic efforts to end the war in Ukraine.

“Four years ago, people in Europe woke up in another world because generations like mine have always had the privilege to live a life in peace,” Baerbock told journalists in Geneva. “But this changed four years ago with the full invasion [by] Russia, of the neighbouring country of Ukraine.”

The resolution said its demand for the cease-fire and respect for Ukraine’s sovereignty is in line with the UN Charter. It also called for the exchange of prisoners of war and the return of civilians forcibly transferred, including children.

Baerbock said in an address to the assembly, “This war, initiated by a permanent member of the Security Council in blatant violation of our Charter, continues to inflict untold suffering on the Ukrainian people. And even as peace negotiations have been ongoing for some time now, the year 2025 stood as the deadliest for civilians since the start of this invasion.”

“Since the beginning thousands of Ukrainian civilians, including children, have been killed or injured. War-related humanitarian needs have only intensified, as the impact of relentless attacks and displacement is felt across the entire length and breadth of Ukraine.”

She said close to 4 million people remain internally displaced, while 5.7 million more live as refugees globally and nearly one-third of the population has been forced to flee, including more than half of all Ukrainian children.

 “This violence spares no one: not mothers or fathers, not grandparents, and certainly not children,” the UN official said.

“This war needs to finally end… Any peace agreement must be grounded in the UN Charter, international law and General Assembly resolutions,”  Baerbock said.

UN News reported on February 24 quoting Matthias Schmale, the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Ukraine as saying that 2025 was the deadliest year for civilians since Russian troops invaded Ukraine.

“We are witnessing the devastating impact of systematic attacks on energy infrastructure that have disrupted electricity, heating and water supplies across the country, in some cases leaving entire towns without electricity and water supply for weeks,” Schmale said from Kiyv.

Schmale said data showed that at least 2,500 civilians were killed and more 12,000 injured in 2025, a more than 30 per cent increase compared with 2024.

UN Security Council holds meeting on Ukraine war – The 15-nation Security Council, whose resolutions are binding on UN member states, also held a debate on the war, but it took no action.

UN News reported that Rosemary DiCarlo, Under-Secretary-General for Political and Peacebuilding Affairs, delivered remarks on behalf of the Secretary-General, saying “the war remains a stain on our collective conscience.” It has “shattered lives, devastated communities, and deepened regional and global instability,” she said.

She highlighted the “catastrophic” human toll which includes more than 15,000 civilians killed, 41,000 injured and millions forced to flee their homes, while “a whole generation has lost years of education as schools have come under fire.”

Amid the current winter season, characterized by sub-zero temperatures, Russia has intensified strikes against Ukraine’s energy system.

As civilians in Russia are also increasingly affected by reported Ukrainian strikes, she called for both sides to implement an immediate moratorium on such attacks.

The fighting also poses direct risks to the safety and security of Ukraine’s nuclear sites and “this unconscionable game of nuclear roulette must cease immediately.”

As war rages on, “the UN is working closely with the Government to repair damaged infrastructure, keep people warm, and sustain critical services,” she said.

“Despite limited access and the deteriorating security situation, we are also working with local partners to deliver food, water, medical supplies and other humanitarian aid, including to those in front-line communities,” she added, urging Member States to fully fund the humanitarian response.

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New Delhi/New York, 20 February 2026 – India was hosting a three-day summit in New Delhi on the AI impact focusing on bringing the fast-paced developing technology’s benefits to people and the world as the event was seen as a major international meeting supported by government leaders and heads of organizations

The summit is expected to issue a Declaration after the adoption of the text by  the 70 countries that attended it. The proposed declaration reportedly would emphasize several broad themes on shared commitment to develop and govern AI that will benefit all humanity, promote global cooperation and development.

The summit said in its main website that “The India–AI Impact Summit 2026 marks a defining global inflection point — transitioning from dialogue to demonstrable impact. Anchored in the principles of People, Planet, and Progress, it envisions a future where AI advances humanity, fosters inclusive growth, and safeguards our shared planet.”

It aims at shaping a Sustainable AI Future with three goals: “People – AI must serve humanity in all its diversity, preserving dignity and ensuring inclusivity; Planet – AI innovation must align with environmental stewardship and sustainability and Progress – AI benefits must be equitably shared, advancing global development and prosperity.”

UN leaders attended the summit, seeking funding for AI diffusion that benefits all people and countries, and emphasizing the need of human rights governance on AI.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called for a global fund of US$ 3 billion that will make AI accessible and beneficial to all people and not just companies and billionaires. The head of the Human Rights Commission said AI technology must be governed through a human rights framework that ensures transparency, accountability and inclusion.

Guterres said the UN will launch a Global Dialogue on AI Governance – within the UN to erect “guardrails that preserve human agency, human oversight – and human accountability.” He said the first session of the Global Dialogue will be held in Geneva in July to give every country a voice, uphold human rights, prevent misuse by AI.

“But without investment, many countries will be logged out of the AI age.

AI must be accessible to everyone,” he said. “That’s why I am calling for a Global Fund on AI – to build basic capacity everywhere: Skills, data, affordable computing power, and inclusive ecosystems.”

He said the US$ 3 billion needed represent less than one per cent of the annual revenue of a single tech company.

“A small price for AI diffusion that benefits all – including the businesses building AI,” he said.

Volker Türk, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, said in an interview with UN News while attending the summit that AI is a technology that can be used for good but also for bad and therefore the UN

needs to ensure that there is a “framework within which they are developed, designed and used, and that’s where human rights come in.”

UN News: What are the biggest human rights risks that you see from rapid AI expansion today?

Volker Türk: There is a huge issue of inequity, and that’s why I’m so happy that this AI summit is taking place in India. It’s really important that these tools are used everywhere and that they are developed everywhere.

Then there’s the issue of bias and discrimination. If the data are only collected from one part of the world, if only men are developing AI, then unconscious bias will be built in. We believe that it’s key to be mindful of vulnerable groups and minorities because they are often excluded from AI development. It’s about meaningful participation and giving a vision of a better world. Human rights provide that vision.

UN News: Generative AI is moving faster than regulation. What guardrails must governments and companies put in place as a matter of urgency?

Volker Türk: Take the pharmaceutical industry as an example: testing can sometimes last for a long time because you need to make sure that any risks associated with a new product are identified before it goes on sale.

When it comes to AI tools, we need to demand that companies do a human rights impact assessment when they design, roll out and market them.

We have seen for quite some time now that some companies have bigger budgets than some smaller countries. If you are able to control technology not just in your country but around the world, you exercise power. You can use the power for good – to do things that hopefully help in areas such as health, education and sustainable development – but you can also use that power for bad things, such as automated lethal weapons, and spreading disinformation, hate and violent misogyny.

UN News: What kind of AI-driven governance or rules are required to prevent AI systems from reinforcing bias and inequality?

Volker Türk:  I had a chance to talk with people who produce these things or develop them and design them. What strikes me is that they often have a very superficial knowledge about fundamental principles when they go into the development phase.

It reminds me a little bit of Frankenstein’s monster; you develop something that you don’t control anymore. You let the genie out of the bottle.

If you’re not mindful of the dangers and the risks, you can wreak havoc. We have seen it in Myanmar, for example, where there was a lot of hate speech against the Rohingya on social media platforms.

It’s so important to bring in the perspective of each and every segment of society, especially women and young people, and to bear in mind that our brains develop in different ways.

We don’t want to create addictions that poison our minds and souls. We also need to be aware of how harmful disinformation not only destroys the social fabric but also creates divisive and polarised societies where everyone lives in their own bubble.

We also see a lot of misogyny. Many female politicians tell me that they are thinking of exiting politics because of what they experience on social media.

UN News: Five years from now, what do you think responsible AI would look like?

Volker Türk: What I hope we would have is inclusive development of artificial intelligence, where power is no longer concentrated within a handful of companies in North America, and that AI development builds on the richness and diversity of all of us in each society.

I hope for an inclusive, meaningful, participatory type of development, that helps us solve the many problems and challenges in today’s world. The climate crisis, access to healthcare, education for everyone – AI can be a fantastic tool to help us achieve these goals.

The flip side is that, if we are not putting forward a vision of a better world, we could end up even more polarized, and where we have wars that are no longer controlled by humans. And that’s very dangerous. END

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Kyiv, Ukraine, 20 February 2026 – The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, Barham Salih, today urged sustained international solidarity and stronger support for Ukrainians awaiting much-needed peace.

HC Salih travelled to Ukraine as the full-scale invasion enters its fifth year with intensified attacks during the harshest winter of war so far. Repeated Russian strikes on energy infrastructure have left millions without electricity and heating in freezing temperatures, while escalating hostilities along the front line continue to force people to flee their homes.

“I’ve come to Ukraine in this dark hour to show solidarity with its people, to see how UNHCR is contributing to the government-led efforts, and to reaffirm our commitment to stand with Ukraine at this difficult time and beyond,” he said, concluding his first visit to the country. “Nothing can compensate the losses in this war, and the many lives lost, but we can help Ukraine and its people recover and rebuild.”

This Press Release is available here

Over several days in Kyiv and front-line cities – Dnipro, Zaporizhzhia and Kharkiv – UNHCR’s chief met families whose homes had been damaged by glide bombs and missiles and people recently evacuated from front-line communities. He observed UNHCR’s emergency assistance after strikes and in transit centres for displaced people; legal aid for those who lost documents to ensure their access to rights and services; and work to repair war-damaged houses to allow people to remain in their homes or return.

“The destruction I have witnessed is immense, and the personal stories of loss and hardship are heart-wrenching. Despite this, Ukrainians continue to show extraordinary courage, compassion and hope. Their strength should compel all of us to action – to protect lives now, to support them in the vital rebuilding that is already underway, and to work tirelessly for a just and lasting peace,” HC Salih said. 

The High Commissioner met Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, as well as Deputy Prime Minister for Restoration Oleksii Kuleba; Minister for Foreign Affairs, Andrii Sybiha; Minister of Social Policy, Family and Unity, Denys Uliutin; Ukrainian Parliament Commissioner for Human Rights Dmytro Lubinets; and local and regional officials. 

In addition, he met UNHCR’s strong network of Ukrainian partners, community representatives, other UN agencies and the diplomatic community. He reconfirmed UNHCR’s commitment to deliver life-saving emergency support, contribute to the recovery work and pursue long-term solutions for the nearly 3.7 million displaced within the country.

Since the first days of the war, UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, scaled up its presence and response inside Ukraine and in countries generously hosting close to 5.9 million refugees. 

Over the past four years, complementing the efforts of the authorities, UNHCR and its partners have reached close to 10 million people in Ukraine with assistance. In 2026, the agency is appealing for $470 million to support over 2 million people in line with the 2026 Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan priorities. UNHCR is grateful for the donor support it has already received.

 
 For more information on this topic, please contact:
In Ukraine: Elisabeth Haslund, haslund@unhcr.org, +380 95 239 0072
In Geneva (regional): Eleni Biza, biza@unhcr.org, +41 78 337 8082
In Geneva: Matthew Saltmarsh, saltmars@unhcr.org,  +41 79 967 99 36
 

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Note: Ukraine marks four years of full-scale war on Tuesday 24 February 2026. The below press release from the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) warns that displaced families are now being forced to survive on dwindling aid, exhausted savings, and often have no safe homes to return to. Vulnerable displaced people report an average monthly income of just three-quarters of the average monthly rental costs. This expense comes on top of other essential costs such as food and medicine.  

Oslo, 20 February 2026 – As Ukraine marks four years since the start of the full-scale war, internally displaced people face a mounting pressure to survive with dwindling aid, exhausted savings, and no safe homes to return to, warns the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC).

The harsh winter has compounded their dire situation, underscoring the need for urgent humanitarian support and Ukrainian government leadership on finding solutions for displaced people. 

“After four years of war, displaced people are facing an incredible burden,” said Marit Glad, NRC’s country director in Ukraine. “Many people have burnt through their life savings and have no home to return to due to ongoing destruction and danger. I have spoken to countless displaced people who tell me they are struggling to provide for their families, often caring for children, family members with disabilities or limited mobility, while still facing the constant terror of drone attacks and the war. Without support, survival is becoming impossible.” 

Ukraine’s most vulnerable displaced people are under increased pressure to make impossible choices to survive after often spending more than two years in displacement.  

Vulnerable displaced people report an average monthly income of just 4,472 UAH (around 103 US dollars) – three-quarters of the estimated average monthly rental costs of 6,000 UAH (around 140 US dollars) for displaced people across Ukraine. This expense comes on top of other essential costs such as food and medicine.  

With savings depleted after years of displacement, many families are now forced to live in precarious conditions, often resorting to risky or unsustainable solutions to cope, including reducing their health or heating expenses. This is particularly dangerous over winter where temperatures have plummeted to -20 degrees Celsius. 

“Paying for documents, affording rent, paying for treatment for the boy. We had such a difficult period, and the pressure was so high,” said Kateryna, a 64-years old woman who is the sole carer for her 14-year-old grandson, Sasha. Both have been displaced since 2022 from Toretsk, Donetsk region. NRC supported the family with cash to cover their rent for six months, as well as with legal assistance to access key documentation. “When the money came, I cried. I couldn’t believe it,” said Kateryna.  

Many displaced families are forced to share a home with others in order to afford a roof over their heads. “We were living in one house with twelve people, including seven children, crammed together,” said Olena, who fled from Asiivka, Karkhiv region, in 2022. 

“It was a house full of souls.” After being displaced, her family found refuge further from the frontlines in the same region. There they were met with the challenge of providing for what had suddenly become a small community living under the same roof. 

“The Ukrainian government should continue to lead collective efforts to provide internally displaced people with access to safe, warm homes so that they don’t need to deplete their remaining savings or resort to dangerous coping mechanisms to survive,” said Glad.

“Leadership on finding long-term solutions to displacement is essential to prevent a deepening crisis and requires a clear plan and the resources to implement it. International donors should support these efforts.” 

The harsh winter has intensified needs, with blackouts, fuel shortages, and the destruction of energy infrastructure limiting heating, electricity, and water access for millions of displaced people. The most vulnerable have borne the brunt of the extreme cold in inadequate homes and often at risk of social isolation. 

People who have fled Ukraine and found refuge in neighbouring countries are also struggling. In Moldova, many families are unable to meet their basic needs years after leaving Ukraine, as savings are depleted and stable jobs remain hard to access. Many families rely on humanitarian assistance to meet their daily needs. 

“International donors must not forget the promises they have made to Ukrainians. As this conflict becomes increasingly protracted it is vital that donors maintain robust support for displaced families who have endured years of hardship. They must not become the war’s invisible casualties,” said Glad.  

Notes to editors: 

• Photos and stories of displaced Ukrainians are available for free use here. 
• According to data gathered by NRC in September 2025 from 113,845 internally displaced people (IDPs), who applied for assistance from NRC, vulnerable IDP households across Ukraine reported an average monthly income per household of 4,472 UAH (around 103 US dollars). They also reported resorting to three negative coping mechanisms to deal with the gap between their income and expenses. These were reduced health expenditure (20.2 per cent), reduced heating (13.2 per cent), spent savings (11.1 per cent).  
• IDPs who rent continue to experience a heavier rental burden than other population groups. Nationally, IDPs renters reported a median monthly rent of UAH 6,000 (around 140 US dollars) (IOM). 
• Across Ukraine 3,712,000 people are still internally displaced as of January 2026 (IOM). A further 5,349,060 people have found refuge across Europe as of January 2026 (UNHCR). Moldova currently hosts 139,160 refugees from Ukraine as of December 2025 (UNHCR). 
• Most IDPs continue to experience protracted displacement, with 71 per cent having been displaced for over two years (IOM). 
• The Ukraine Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan for 2025 received 1,500 million US dollars of the required 2,634 million US dollars (57 per cent coverage) (OCHA). In 2026, the Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan requires 2,304 million US dollars to support 4.1 million of the most vulnerable conflict-affected and displaced people in Ukraine (OCHA).  
• The Moldova portion of the Ukraine regional refugee response plan received 88 million US dollars of the required 205 million US dollars in 2025 (UNHCR). In 2026, the response requires 116 million US dollars to reach 90,000 of the most vulnerable refugees (OCHA). 
• NRC has been present in Ukraine since 2014 and currently delivers cash, housing repairs and winter assistance, education, community protection, and legal assistance on housing, identity, and services – partnering with local organisations to meet displaced and conflict-affected families’ essential needs with dignity. Since the escalation of the war in 2022, NRC Ukraine has assisted over 1,500,000 individuals. 
• NRC has been present in Moldova since 2022 and currently delivers education services, legal assistance, livelihoods support, housing repairs, and winter assistance. Since 2022, NRC in Moldova has reached over 182,000 individuals. In 2025, 80 per cent of NRC’s project participants were reached through local partners. 

For more information or to arrange an interview, please contact: 

• NRC global media hotline: media@nrc.no, +47 905 62 329 
• For Ukraine: Joachim Giaminardi, advocacy manager, joachim.giaminardi@nrc.no, +380 66 1293259 
• For Moldova: Anna Celac, media and communications coordinator, anna.celac@nrc.no, +373 79 037 426 

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New York, 4 February 2026 – The United Nations has launched what it calls a first global panel of 40 distinguished individuals working independently from governments or institutions to close the gap of knowledge and assess the real impacts of Artificial Intelligence across economies and societies.

The new Independent International Scientific Panel on Artificial Intelligence will comprise the 40 specialists selected (see the list below) from a list of 2,600 applicants from every region, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said when he announced the completion of the selection process to the media at the UN Headquarters. He said the list of names was submitted to the 193-nation UN General Assembly, which established the panel for a three-year term in September 2025, for its consideration.

“It will be the first global, fully independent scientific body dedicated to helping close the AI knowledge gap and assess the real impacts of AI across economies and societies,” Guterres said in an address to the media at the UN Headquarters.

“And this could not be more urgent. AI is moving at the speed of light. No country can see the full picture alone. We need shared understandings to build effective guardrails, unlock innovation for the common good, and foster cooperation.”

“The Panel will help the world separate fact from fakes, and science from slop. It will provide an authoritative reference point at a moment when reliable, unbiased understanding of AI has never been more critical.”

The UN chief said all panel members will serve in their personal capacity – “independent of any government, company, or institution” and they will submit a first report expected in July to inform the Global Dialogue on AI Governance. He said the panel’s members are individuals “with deep expertise across disciplines – including

machine learning, data governance, public health, cybersecurity, childhood development, and human rights.”

“AI is transforming our world,” he said.  The question is whether we will shape this transformation together or allow it to shape us. At a time of deep geopolitical tension and growing technological rivalry, we urgently need common ground – and a practical basis for cooperation based on science and solidarity. That is what this panel can help deliver.”

Members of the Independent International Scientific Panel on Artificial Intelligence:

1. Girmaw Abebe Tadesse (Ethiopia)

 2. Tuka Alhanai (United Arab Emirates)

 3. Joëlle Barral (France)

 4. Yoshua Bengio (Canada)

 5. Tegawendé Bissyandé (Burkina Faso)

 6. Loreto Bravo (Chile)

 7. Mark Coeckelbergh (Belgium)

 8. Carlos Coello Coello (Mexico)

 9. Melahat Bilge Demirköz (Türkiye)

10. Adji Bousso Dieng (Senegal)

11. Awa Bousso Dramé (Cabo Verde)

12. Mennatallah El-Assady (Egypt)

13. Hoda Heidari (Islamic Republic of Iran)

14. Juho Kim (Republic of Korea)

15. Anna Korhonen (Finland)

16. Aleksandra Korolova (Latvia)

17. Vipin Kumar (United States of America)

18. Sonia Livingstone (United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland)

19. Qinghua Lu (Australia)

20. Teresa Ludermir (Brazil)

21. Vukosi Marivate (South Africa)

22. Bilal Mateen (Pakistan)

23. Yutaka Matsuo (Japan)

24. Joyce Nakatumba Nabende (Uganda)

25. Andrei Neznamov (Russian Federation)

26. Maximilian Nickel (Germany)

27. Rita Orji (Nigeria)

28. Román Orús (Spain)

29. Alvitta Ottley (Saint Kitts and Nevis)

30. Martha Palmer (United States of America)

31. Johanna Pirker (Austria)

32. Balaraman Ravindran (India)

33. Maria Ressa (Philippines)

34. Lior Rokach (Israel)

35. Piotr Sankowski (Poland)

36. Silvio Savarese (Italy)

37. Bernhard Schölkopf (Germany)

38. Haitao Song (China)

39. Leslie Teo (Singapore)

40. Jian Wang (China)

(By J. Tuyet Nguyen)

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