According to a new report from the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) published Thursday, 10,200 hectares were under opium cultivation this year, compared to 12,800 hectares in 2024 and well below the 232,000 hectares recorded before the ban..

Production of the drug fell even more sharply, falling by almost a third to 296 tonnes, and farmers’ income from the sale of opium almost halved during the period.

In the report, UNODC highlights the need to combine eradication efforts with support for alternative livelihoods and demand reduction measures.

While many farmers have shifted to grains and other crops, worsening drought and poor rainfall have left more than 40 percent of agricultural land barren.

At the same time, the return of around four million Afghans from neighboring countries has increased pressure on jobs and resources, raising fears that economic woes could make illicit crops attractive again.

Growth of the synthetic drug market

At the same time, the production of synthetic drugs, particularly methamphetamine, is increasing, and seizures in and around Afghanistan were 50% higher at the end of 2024 than the previous year.

UNODC warns that organized crime groups may increasingly favor synthetic drugs, which are easier to produce, harder to detect and less vulnerable to climate shocks.

Georgette Gagnon, Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Afghanistan and Officer-in-Charge of the United Nations political mission in the country (MANUA), says the problem goes beyond Afghan borders:

“The dynamics of supply, demand and trafficking involve both Afghan and international actors.. Meeting this challenge requires collaboration among key stakeholders.

The report calls for counternarcotics strategies that go beyond opium, integrating synthetic drugs into surveillance, interdiction and prevention efforts.

“We are deeply alarmed by increasing reports of serious violations against civilians,” Haq said, citing accounts of “executions, sexual violence, humiliation, extortion and attacks” following the capture of El Fasher, the state capital, by the Rapid Support Forces militia last week.

According to the United Nations migration agency, IOM, nearly 82,000 people fled El Fasher and surrounding areas since October 26many are heading towards Tawila, which is already home to hundreds of thousands of people displaced by previous fighting.

The United Nations agency for reproductive rights, UNFPAwarned that women and girls had suffered rape, kidnapping and “other extreme violence” as they fled.

Mr Haq said local sources reported some 1,300 people injured by gunfire arrived in Tawila after being attacked while fleeing the town.

“We once again call for an immediate cessation of hostilities and for all parties to respect their obligations under international humanitarian law,” he added, stressing that the safety of civilians and humanitarian workers must be guaranteed.

Meanwhile, the United Nations refugee agency (UNHCR) said Chad now hosts 1.4 million refugeesmainly from Darfur, and warned that more people would likely cross the border as the violence worsens. “With the escalation of violence in El Fasher, a new major influx into Chad is expected, further straining host communities,” Mr Haq said.

Relations between the neighboring countries remain deeply affected by the war in Sudan, where the national army and its former allies, the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), have been fighting for power since April 2023.

Two senior UN officials briefed the Council on developments in this fertile strip of territory and the peacekeeping mission taking place there, UNISFAwhose mandate includes monitor and verify the redeployment of forces of the oil-rich region, in accordance with a 2011 agreement.

The political process is at a standstill

Assistant Secretary-General for Africa Martha Ama Akyaa Pobee said the political process remains stalled, as it has since the start of the war in Sudan.

Although there have been moves toward dialogue, “considerable challenges remain to make progress on Abyei’s final status.” They include dynamics related to conflict in Sudan and political uncertainty in South Sudan.

She noted that the recent strategic review of UNISFA – requested by the Council last November – “underscored a reinvigorated political role for the Mission, which stands ready to provide support to the parties as they plan a resumption of talks.”

Presence of RSF and community tensions

At the same time, UNISFA continued to report an increased presence of RSF elements and associated individuals in northern Abyei.

This has contributed to increased crime rates, particularly at Amiet Market, a popular shopping center for the Ngok Dinka and Misseriya communities.

“The market’s rapid growth in recent years has made it a potential flashpoint for intercommunal tensions.adding a new challenge for UNISFA,” Ms. Pobee said, pointing to illegal checkpoints set up by the RSF and other armed groups.

“UNISFA had no choice but to engage regularly with the armed actors present in the area to facilitate their withdrawal.remind them that their presence in the Abyei administrative area is contrary to Abyei’s demilitarized and arms-free status, and prevent their return.

Additionally, South Sudanese security forces also remain present in southern Abyei, which constitutes another violation.

“I reiterate the call for the immediate withdrawal of all armed forces and other armed actors from Abyei, in line with Abyei’s arms-free status,” she said.

“Untenable” operating environment

Ms. Pobee said the strategic review also detailed how the operating environment at the former mission logistics center and Joint Border Verification and Monitoring Mechanism (JBVMM) headquarters in Kadugli, Sudan, “has become simply untenable.”

The fighting endangers peacekeepers and “the situation has become even more dire with an increase in targeted drone strikes» by the RSF, which had a negative effect on UNISFA air operations.

In addition, the Sudanese conflict and the continued influx of displaced people continue to create economic difficulties in Abyei, and the mission has had to facilitate the activities of humanitarians helping the population.

Impact in South Sudan

The war also continues to impact security in South Sudan, UN Special Envoy for the Horn of Africa Guang Cong told the Council.

Cross-border movements of armed groups from both sides have led to increased insecurity in and around the border area.

The war and deteriorating security are also affecting South Sudan’s main source of income, as the flow of oil and exports through Sudan have been significantly disrupted, causing the economy to contract by almost 25 percent.

“Only after increased bilateral engagement and new arrangements to improve security along the pipeline route and other facilities did oil production and transportation resume earlier this year,” he said.

However, subsequent RSF attacks on oil installations, which took place in May and August, “resulted in oil spills, environmental damage and led to an emergency shutdown of operations.”

Support dialogue

In her briefing, Ms. Pobee noted that Sudan and South Sudan have indicated their openness to resuming contacts on Abyei.

Last month, the two countries announced plans to reactivate cooperation agreements focused on security and the economy.

As the African Union (AU) continues to play a critical role in facilitating engagement between the parties, UNIFSA will continue its close coordination with the organization, she said.

Mr. Cong also welcomed renewed efforts to revive Abyei’s political process and hopes to support the AU in this regard.

According to UN-backed hunger experts, more than half the population – or around 7.56 million people – will face “crisis or even more severe levels of hunger” between April and July 2026, the lean season.

In addition, more than two million children are expected to suffer from acute malnutrition during the same period, the United Nations World Food Program has warned (PAM).

The UN agency said food insecurity is “widespread and worsening” in parts of South Sudan.

Constant warnings

“We have consistently warned of the serious food and nutrition crisis that the country continues to face,” UN deputy spokesperson Farhan Haq said during Wednesday’s daily press briefing in New York.

Fears are greatest for the 28,000 people living in Luakpiny/Nasir and Fangak counties, where hunger levels are described as catastrophic, in the latest report from UN-backed international food security experts the IPC – recognized as the most authoritative source for monitoring extreme hunger and famine around the world.

They point out that southern parts of Luakpiny/Nasir County are at risk of famine if conflict persists and access restrictions remain, due to flooding and disease outbreaks.

Ending hunger depends on cultivating South Sudan’s fields and reopening markets, UN agencies say.

Be prepared for tsunamis: investing in preparedness to save lives

Over the past 100 years, tsunamis have claimed more than 260,000 lives – an average of 4,600 per disaster – more deaths than any other natural hazard, according to the United Nations disaster risk reduction agency (UNDRR) said Wednesday.

In line with efforts to reduce disaster losses and build resilience to protect lives, livelihoods and economies from the devastating effects of tsunamis, the theme of this year’s edition World Tsunami Awareness Day is Be Tsunami Prepared: Invest in Tsunami Preparedness.

Tsunamis are rare but highly destructive, posing an existential threat wherever the monster wave phenomenon occurs. “Let us commit to building on the progress we have made and investing the funds needed to improve tsunami preparedness and resilience for all,” said UNDRR Chief Kamal Kashore.

Tsunamis disrupt livelihoods, industries, agriculture and essential services such as education and healthcare.

Early warnings save lives

The recent 8.8 magnitude earthquake off the coast of Russia on July 30, 2025 clearly demonstrates why early warnings are essential.

Rapid action then allowed communities to evacuate in time, preventing large-scale loss of life.

Rapid urbanization and tourism development in tsunami-prone regions are putting more people at risk – making risk reduction a key factor if the world is to achieve substantial reductions in disaster-related mortality.

“With rising sea levels and more people living near coasts, early warning systems require investment and improvement,” UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said in today’s message.

Lebanon: UN peacekeepers report intensified military activities along the Blue Line

UN peacekeepers in southern Lebanon have reported increased military movements and exchanges of fire along the Blue Line separating Lebanon and Israel, UN deputy spokesperson Farhan Haq said Wednesday.

“UNIFIL Peacekeepers continue to observe the presence and military activities of the Israel Defense Forces,” he told reporters, noting that over the past two days they had seen “more than 100 IDF vehicles moving in the eastern sector and around 60 in the western sector, including several Markava tanks.”

He said peacekeepers reported “around 300 small arms fire” from south of the Blue Line near Kfar Shouba on Monday and “another 100 direct fire” near Shab’a the next day.

Mr. Haq reminded all parties of “their obligation to ensure the safety and security of UN personnel and assets.” UNIFIL also discovered and reported several weapons caches and continues to organize joint patrols and training with the Lebanese army.