In the past year alone, more than 250,000 residents have left the Donetsk region, a hotbed of Russian attacks in southeastern Ukraine near their shared border.

Evacuations are also underway in the neighboring towns of Dnipropetrovsk, Kharkiv, Sumy and Zaporizhzhia.

The United Nations refugee agency, UNHCRsupports both the evacuees and those who remain behind.

Federico Sersale, head of the UNHCR office in Dnipro, said UN News that the majority of people who wish to stay are elderly or disabled.

Some people do not want to leave their homes, fearing they will never return. Others are simply unable to evacuate on their own and need help.

A difficult decision

Those who remain in frontline areas live in difficult and extremely stressful conditions, facing constant attacks and disruption to basic services.

Their movements are also limited by the security situation. Yet despite these difficult circumstances, convincing them to leave is no easy task.

“I think the most important thing is that it’s their decision to leave or stay. What we try to do, as much as possible, is give them the information they need to make an informed decision,” Mr Sersale said.

Helping evacuees and frontline communities

In the meantime, UNHCR and its NGO partners are providing much-needed assistance.

“When we have access to these communities, we provide different types of services and assistance – from basic necessities like blankets to shelter materials and repair items in case their homes are hit by airstrikes, but also psychosocial support and legal aid. »

The most vulnerable evacuees pass through transit sites – government-run facilities, where they stay briefly, receive basic services and leave.

“Forty-six percent of the people who passed through the transit sites are either elderly people or people with reduced mobility. This is something new,” according to Mr. Sersale.

“We help set up these sites, provide basic equipment like beds, blankets, washing machines, everything needed to run them. We also provide services, including psychosocial and legal help, as well as financial assistance, that enable people to cover their most urgent needs. This varies depending on the gaps.”

Frontline resistance fighters

Svitlana, an elderly woman from a frontline community in Zaporozhye[DD1] region, crossed by one of these sites south of the city of Dnipro.

Although encouraged to leave early, she and her husband refused. They lived in very harsh conditions, without electricity and with drones constantly flying over their house.

When the front line started moving in Zaporizhzhia and the situation got worse a few weeks ago, she finally decided it was time to leave.

Svitlana spent a few days at the transit center, receiving cash and other assistance, then was transferred to “An Ocean of Kindness” in the city of Dnipro, a UNHCR-supported facility that provides temporary accommodation for internally displaced persons (IDPs) like Svitlana, who use wheelchairs or have limited mobility.

“That’s where I met her,” Mr. Sersale said. “It’s a temporary solution. She’s waiting to find longer-term accommodation.”

“When I met her, she had incredible energy. Despite everything she had been through, her eyes were still full of hope and energy.”

Long-term solutions and resilience

One of the biggest challenges for vulnerable displaced people like Svitlana is finding long-term solutions, including housing and more comprehensive support.

“That could mean assisted living. It could mean receiving home care, living in a house, but also receiving certain services,” Mr. Sersale said.

“Housing for internally displaced people is one of the key gaps. We are actively working in this area alongside our emergency response efforts.”

As Svitlana explores options for a more permanent arrangement, UNHCR continues to provide support to her and other displaced people.

“I think his story is a perfect example of what life is like on the front lines. You have to make a difficult decision whether to leave or not, and then find the resilience to start again.”

Simon Stiell, UN climate chief set the tone Monday:

“There is a deep awareness of the issues and the need to show that climate cooperation holds up in a fractured world. »

His warning was direct: “There is no time to waste on delays and obstructions. »

Over the next two days, ministers will outline their positions in what is often the busiest phase of the summit. Mr. Stiell urged delegations to tackle the toughest questions now – not in a last-minute rush.

“There is no time to waste on tactical delays or obstructions,” he said, before adding: “The time for performative diplomacy is now over. »

The President of the United Nations General Assembly echoes this urgencyreminding negotiators that despite the “headwinds” and many “ebbs and flows” of climate negotiations, they “do not have the luxury of complacency when people are counting on them.”

Annalena Baerbock sounded a note of optimism, highlighting the unstoppable dynamic of renewable energy and innovation: “The money exists but must be redirected. »

She pointed to a grim figure: Developing countries paid $1.4 trillion in external debt service last year – funds that could transform climate action if channeled into clean energy and resilience.

Speaking to reporters, Baerbock recalled that on Sunday she took a 30-minute boat ride from Belém to visit Combu Island.

There, on the edge of the Amazon rainforest, she met local indigenous communities “who are showing how sustainable development, economic growth and forest protection can go hand in hand.”

This, she said, “underlines once again that climate action is not a “nice thing to have”‘. It is not a charity. Climate action is in the interest of all our economic and security interests.

THE 30th edition of the annual United Nations climate summit opened last Monday, November 10 and is expected to end next Friday.

From words to actions: Brazil calls for a new era

Brazilian Vice President Geraldo Alckmin said COP30 must mark a turning point. “The world needs to stop debating the goals and start achieving them,” he said, adding that this means moving from negotiation to implementation.

Mr. Alckmin highlighted the Belém Commitment, an initiative to quadruple the use of sustainable fuels by 2035, already supported by 25 countries. He called for creativity in areas such as the bioeconomy and decarbonization, reaffirming Brazil’s commitment to “clean energy, innovation and inclusion.”

Brazilian officials confirmed that two sets of major decisions are now on the table: one related to the frameworks and topics mandated by previous COPs, and the other covering additional issues under negotiation, such as a gender equality action plan.

A draft of the first package is expected midweek, but COP30 president André Corrêa do Lago warned the timetable would be tight, with night sessions likely.

Beyond the official rooms: the People’s Summit delivers its verdict

While the ministers debated inside, the streets of Belém vibrated with energy. The People’s Summit, held November 12-16, attracted more than 25,000 participants – the largest ever – and culminated with a march for climate justice bringing together 70,000 people, the largest protest of its kind.

On Sunday, civil society delivered a set of proposals to Mr. do Lago, as well as Ana Toni, CEO of COP30, and key ministers, including Marina Silva and Sônia Guajajara.

Maureen Santos of the Summit policy committee told us:

“I think this COP serves as an example of democracy not only for the United Nations, but also for the world. And that is what multilateralism is: when parties truly engage beyond states and we see greater visibility for those who suffer the impacts of the crisis, who also propose alternatives to deal with it.”

Social movements are pushing for climate finance, warning of possible “ecological debts” and demanding a broader vision of a just transition – one that includes employment, food sovereignty and territorial rights, not just renewable energy.

Solidarity in action: 300,000 meals served

The People’s Summit was not just about speeches. It was a question of solidarity. Groups like the Landless Workers Movement (MTST) organized a massive “solidarity kitchen,” drawing on the experience of responding to last year’s floods in Rio Grande do Sul.

More than 300,000 free meals were served, including Amazonian staples like jambu, açaí and pirarucu.

Rudi Rafael, who helped lead the operation, described the scale:

“We had 21 pots of 500 liters each, with a production line preparing meal boxes in just 26 seconds. »

For many, cooking symbolized hope, especially for those who defended indigenous lands, traditions and cultures. It’s a reminder that climate justice is as much about dignity and community as it is about politics.

UN NewsEastreport from Belémgiving you front row coverage of everything happening at COP30.

In 1950, the world population was 2.5 billion, of which only 20% were urban dwellers. By 2050, two-thirds of global growth is expected to occur in cities and the rest in cities.

Furthermore, “megacities” – metropolitan areas of 10 million or more people – will continue to expand while rural areas will continue to decline, except in sub-Saharan Africa.

“A determining force”

These are among the conclusions of the Global Urbanization Outlook 2025: Summary of Findingsreleased Tuesday by the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UNDESA).

This comes as countries negotiate their climate action commitments at COP30 in Belém, Brazil, and highlights the central role of urbanization in achieving sustainable development and climate resilience.

“Urbanization is a defining force of our time. When managed inclusively and strategically, it can pave the way for transformations for climate action, economic growth and social equity.“, said Li Junhua, head of UNDESA.

“To achieve balanced territorial development, countries must adopt integrated national policies that align housing, land use planning, mobility and public services in urban and rural areas. »

Booming megacities

The report documents a The number of megacities has quadrupled since 1975from eight to 33. Nineteen of them are in Asia.

Indonesia’s capital Jakarta – home to almost 42 million people – is the world’s most populous city, followed by Dhaka, Bangladesh, with almost 40 million people, and Tokyo, Japan, with 33 million.

Cairo, the Egyptian capital, is the only city outside of Asia to make the top 10.

The list of megacities is expected to reach 37 by 2050 because the populations of Addis Ababa (Ethiopia), Dar es Salaam (Tanzania), Hajipur (India) and Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia) are on track to exceed the 10 million mark.

Small but powerful

Across the world, more and more people are living in small and medium-sized cities, which are growing faster than megacities – particularly in Africa and Asia.

Experts analyzed some 12,000 cities. The majority, 96 percent, have fewer than a million residents, while 81 percent have fewer than 250,000.

THE the total number of cities has more than doubled since 1975and projections indicate that number could exceed 15,000 by mid-century, with most cities having populations below 250,000.

Divergent growth models

Although many cities continue to grow, the report finds that others are experiencing population decline.

“The population of some cities is decreasing even as their country’s population is increasingwhile others are growing despite the decline in the national population,” he says.

Most of the declining cities had fewer than 250,000 inhabitants in 2025. More than a third are in China and 17% in India.

However, Mexico City and Chengdu, China, are among the very large cities that have also seen population declines.

Cities and rural areas

Meanwhile, cities – defined as having a population of at least 5,000 – are the most common settlement type in more than 70 countries, a diverse group including Germany, India, Uganda and the United States.

Rural areas remain the most common settlement type in 62 countries, up from 116 in 1975, and this figure is expected to decline further to 44 by 2050.

Sub-Saharan Africa is the only region that continues to experience growth in this regard, and it is expected to account for almost all future rural population growth.

KINGNEWSWIRE / Press release / PARIS, France — November 2025 — Throughout the fall, Drug-Free World France volunteers intensified their presence throughout the country, carrying out a vast series of drug prevention actions that affected thousands of residents in large cities and small towns. From the west coast to the Rhône-Alpes region, from Paris to the southwest, this initiative mobilized parents, educators, traders, young adults and health professionals in search of clear and reliable information on the risks linked to narcotics and synthetic substances.

This intensification of activities comes as public debate in France increasingly focuses on the exposure of young people to drugs and the appearance of new synthetic substances in schools and neighborhoods. Teachers, healthcare professionals and community leaders have raised concerns about early experimentation, while local organizations continue to play a vital role in implementing practical prevention measures at the community level. The program The truth about drugsdeveloped as part of the humanitarian legacy of L. Ron Hubbard, founder of the Church of Scientology, promotes factual and accessible materials as the basis for informed decisions and responsible choices.

At beginning of Octobervolunteers in Brittany visited a network of small shops, cafes and businesses, distributing over a thousand ‘The Truth About Drugs’ leaflets in areas where traders showed interest and appreciation for the materials. Several merchants engaged volunteers in conversation about the spread of synthetic drugs and families’ need for clearer information. One volunteer said a local restaurateur stopped using drugs after watching an educational video about synthetic substances and then communicated to his entire staff his desire to see his workplace drug-free. The volunteer highlighted this example as illustrating the positive impact that evidence-based prevention can have.

Throughout the month, other awareness-raising actions in the west of France led to discussions with pharmacists, municipal employees, parents and educators. A pharmacist who runs a drug support clinic requested a display and additional materials for her patients, explaining that she had used the brochures successfully the previous year. A law enforcement representative from the region also requested documents for public use, emphasizing the practical value of clear prevention tools in everyday interactions. At several cafes, owners noted that prevention resources were coming “at the right time,” citing local concerns about early drug exposure.

Further east, in towns in the Loire and Rhône-Alpes regions, volunteers visited dozens of traders who happily displayed the equipment for their customers and employees. Many discussions focused on cocaine, with several residents noting that its use was increasingly visible across all age groups and social backgrounds.

A notable increase in engagement was observed at Reimswhere volunteers distributed tens of thousands of brochures in a short time. Retailers of all types, from boutiques to department stores, have made room for displays or requested additional inventory. A young manager recognized the brochure he had discovered during a distribution during his student years in another city. After reading it at the time, he quit smoking and told volunteers he was grateful for the clarity it provided. Another trader expressed concern about the presence of substances such as PTC among young people in the area, describing their effects as particularly destabilizing. During a street outreach, a young adult told volunteers he had stopped using PTC a month earlier and encouraged them to continue their work, calling it “very important.”

HAS Parisvolunteers conducted one of their most important fall activities in a neighborhood where families have often expressed concern about drug-related problems. Thousands of brochures were distributed in stores, and many residents took the opportunity to speak directly with volunteers. A psychologist who met with the team requested a complete display for her practice, explaining that she intended to incorporate these materials into her outreach work with her clients. One couple took leaflets for their daughter, who often travels with friends, describing them as a practical way to start pre-emptive conversations. Several residents expressed their satisfaction with the provision of these resources on the street.

The south-west of France also saw sustained engagement, including a prevention stand in Bordeaux which attracted a constant flow of passers-by and local traders. In addition to the brochures distributed in surrounding stores, volunteers carried out simulated impairment exercises using glasses imitating the effects of alcohol or cannabis, sparking discussions about the risks associated with recreational consumption. Area merchants stressed the importance of providing teens and young adults with tools to understand the dangers of substances.

Other towns in the southwest, including Agen, welcomed volunteers who distributed brochures to stores whose owners expressed interest in supporting long-term prevention. In Toulouse, volunteers continued their awareness-raising activities in neighborhoods where educators regularly requested materials. In Nice, a stand on the street made it possible to interact with families affected by drug addiction, and several people asked to be contacted to participate in future activities, including one who expressed an interest in joining the association.

In late fall, several hundred brochures were distributed in Belfort, eastern France, where a social housing worker requested a full box of brochures on inhalant gases to distribute directly to families he thought might benefit. Local stores responded positively, with some traders reporting that the brochures had quickly sold out and asking to be restocked regularly. In Marseille, other documents were distributed in neighborhoods where community demand for prevention tools remained strong throughout the year.

Across these regions, volunteers observed consistent trends: the desire of parents for practical and reliable information, the eagerness of merchants to participate in the well-being of the community, and the open-mindedness of young adults who often shared their personal experiences or concerns. Many residents described these materials as helpful in starting conversations within their families or workplaces.

Looking back on recent activities, Ivan Arjona-Peladorepresentative of the Church of Scientology to the European Union, the OSCE, the Council of Europe and the United Nations, highlighted the broader importance of these initiatives:

“The growing participation of local communities shows how much people value evidence-based and accessible prevention. When individuals receive clear information, they feel empowered to fulfill their responsibilities to their families and neighborhoods. Effective prevention contributes not only to public health, but also to the dignity and cohesion of our societies across Europe. »

These efforts are part of the long-standing commitment of the Church of Scientology and its members to education, drug prevention, human rights awareness and community improvement. Founded by L. Ron Hubbard By the 1950s, Scientology was recognized as a religion in several European countries, and its churches, missions, and affiliated groups led nonsectarian initiatives that encouraged informed choices and community safety. Recognition of these contributions continues to grow across the continent.

By 2026, 318 million people will face famine levels or worse, more than double the figure in 2019, the food agency reported in its Global Outlook 2026.

International support for the planet’s hungriest people is “slow, fragmented and underfunded”, meaning many people living in the world’s troubled areas are unlikely to be able to receive sufficient aid next year, it said. PAM.

“It is the poorest who pay the ultimate price,” said Amina MohamedDeputy Secretary General of the UN. “When elephants fight, it is the grass that suffers,” she added, citing an African proverb often used to convey the idea that when powerful nations, organizations or individuals engage in conflict, it is the weak or innocent who bear the brunt of the suffering.

Around the world, this “grass” – innocent civilians in Sudan, Gaza, Haiti, Yemen, the Sahel, the Democratic Republic of Congo and so many other places – are suffering beyond measure.

Families are paying the price for wars they did not start and decisions made in rooms where their voices are never heard, the deputy UN chief said.

WFP, an essential lifeline

“WFP provides a critical lifeline to people on the front lines of conflict and weather disasters, as well as those forced from their homes, and we are transforming the way we work to invest in long-term solutions to combat food insecurity,” said WFP Executive Director Cindy McCain.

In 2026, the agency plans to help 110 million vulnerable people at an estimated cost of $13 billion, providing emergency food assistance, nutritional support, community resilience programs and technical assistance to strengthen national systems.

“The world is grappling with simultaneous famines in Gaza and parts of Sudan. This is completely unacceptable in the 21st century,” McCain said.

“Across the world, hunger is becoming more entrenched. WFP has proven time and time again that early, effective and innovative solutions can save and change lives – but we desperately need more support to continue this vital work.”

Investing in climate adaptation, promoting peace and supporting local markets, while ensuring women and young people have ownership and decision-making power, are among the key priorities to end world hunger, said Amina Mohammed.

“No child should be put at risk while pursuing their education” UNICEF said, emphasizing that classrooms must remain places of safety and not of fear.

According to local reports, one of the kidnapped schoolgirls managed to escape and is now safe, while another student who was not taken also fled during the incident.

Speaking at the daily noon press briefing in New York, UN deputy spokesperson Farhan Haq called for rapid release of all abductees.

UNICEF offered its condolences to the affected families, expressed solidarity with the community and wished a full recovery to the injured.

Call for protection

The agency stressed that students, teachers and educational institutions must be protected against all forms of violence, in accordance with international humanitarian and human rights law. He urged those responsible to be held accountable, in accordance with national and international standards.

Nigeria endorsed the Safe Schools Declaration in 2015, committing to protecting the civilian character of educational institutions and ensuring safe access to learning during conflict.

The Declaration, launched at the first International Conference on Safe Schools in Oslo, Norway, aims to reduce attacks on education and protect learning environments around the world.

UNICEF said it continues to work closely with government partners, civil society and communities to strengthen child protection systems and promote safe and inclusive learning spaces across the country, emphasizing that stronger safeguards can help prevent future tragedies.

Kidnappings hinder learning

Attacks on schools and kidnappings of students remain a major obstacle to learning in Nigeria. A UNICEF report released last year to mark 10 years of the infamous Chibok kidnappings found that only 37 percent of schools in 10 states have early warning systems to detect threats, including violence and armed attacks.

The Minimum Safe School Standards (MSSS) monitoring report revealed stark safety disparities in six main areas: school governance, violence prevention, natural hazards, conflicts, everyday risks and security infrastructure.

The findings highlighted that ensuring that all Nigerian children can learn without fear remains an urgent and unfinished task.

UNICEF reiterated that education is a fundamental right and insisted that the protection of children, teachers and school infrastructure must remain a national and global priority.