The de facto rulers of much of the country, including the capital Sana’a, released the crew of a merchant ship who had been held for more than a year, earlier this week.

The move raised hopes that more than 60 staff from the UN, international organizations and diplomatic missions already being held by the Houthis over the past year, might be released.

Friday’s safety measure announced by Julien Harneis, UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Yemen, comes as the organization faces mounting security challenges in its operations in the region.

The Houthis and the internationally-recognized Government have been fighting for control of the country in what has become a wider regional proxy war, for over a decade.

Security measure

“Yesterday, the de facto authorities in Sana’a detained additional UN personnel working in areas under their control,” Mr. Harneis said.

“To ensure the security and safety of all its staff, the United Nations has suspended all official movements into and within areas under the de facto authorities’ control…this measure will remain in place until further notice.”

Deputy Spokesperson Farhan Haq elaborated on the response later on Friday, highlighting the UN’s ongoing efforts: “Our officials in Yemen are actively engaging with senior representatives of the de facto authorities, demanding the immediate and unconditional release of all UN personnel and partners.”

The detentions mark a troubling escalation for humanitarian operations in Yemen, where access and security remain critical concerns.

The UN continues to emphasise the importance of upholding the safety and neutrality of its personnel to ensure lifesaving aid reaches those in need.

Nearly 250 million children’s schooling disrupted by climate crises in 2024

At least 242 million students in 85 countries had their schooling disrupted by extreme climate events in 2024, the UN Children’s Fund, UNICEF, has warned.

Heatwaves, tropical cyclones, storms, floods and droughts are among of the dangers that have made the global learning crisis worse, new UNICEF analysis has shown.

Coinciding with the International Day of Education, the UN agency released data showing that at least one in seven students had their schooling disrupted because of climate hazards in 2024.

Multiple closures

Of the 85 countries affected, 23 experienced multiple rounds of school closures and 74 per cent of all those affected students live in low and lower-middle-income countries.

South Asia was the most affected region in 2024 with 128 million students impacted by climate-related school disruptions. East Asia and the Pacific region followed, impacting 50 million students.

In 2024, heatwaves were the most significant climate hazard to affect schooling, concerning around 171 million students.

Nigeria humanitarian response plan aims to help 3.6 million people: OCHA

To Nigeria, where UN aid teams have launched a humanitarian appeal which again focuses on the northeastern states of Borno, Adamawa and Yobe – the Bay states -where conflict, climate shocks and economic instability continue to blight communities’ wellbeing.

OCHA, the UN aid coordination office, said that the target this year is to reach 3.6 million people in the northeast with health services, food, water, sanitation and hygiene.

Nutrition for children is also part of the $910 million appeal, along with support for protection, education and other basic services.

Funding challenge

To absorb declining global funding, OCHA insisted that the Nigeria plan aims to make scarce resources go further, by supporting those delivering assistance locally more directly – and by shifting to cash and voucher assistance where possible.

A key part of the aid appeal includes prevention work to lessen the impact of floods and disease outbreaks.

“We stand ready to support this implementation and scale up the delivery of sustained humanitarian relief to the countless Palestinians who continue to suffer,” the UN chief said in a social media post.  

He added: “It is imperative that this ceasefire removes the significant security and political obstacles to delivering aid.”

According to news reports, three Israeli hostages held by Hamas were released and transferred by the Red Cross back to Israel, as the first phase of the ceasefire deal took effect. Reports suggest that later on Sunday, Israel is expected to release some 90 Palestinian prisoners.  

Brokered last week by the Qatar, Egypt and the United States, the three-phase ceasefire comes 15 months after Hamas militants attacked Israel on 7 October 2023. Some 1,200 people were killed and 250 were taken as hostages, with around 100 still being held.

Israel launched the military campaign following the Hamas-led attacks on its territory.  

More than 46,000 Palestinians have been killed since the conflict began, according to Gaza’s health authorities,  

The Gaza strip has since been devastated and its two million inhabitants left in dire need of food and other necessities.

The ceasefire and the implementation of the first phase was hailed by the United Nations as a crucial step toward peace and toward alleviating the immense suffering endured by the Palestinian population.

In a separate statement, UN Emergency Relief Coordinator Tom Fletcher highlighted the entry of humanitarian aid into Gaza following the ceasefire. 

“As the ceasefire entered into force today, humanitarian aid moved into Gaza as part of a prepared surge to increase our support to survivors. More than 630 trucks with humanitarian aid entered Gaza today, with at least 300 of them going to the north.”

He acknowledged the challenges faced in delivering aid, stressing the importance of safety for civilians and aid workers. 

Mr. Fletcher, who heads up the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) expressed gratitude towards UN teams and partners, emphasizing their courage and creativity in preparing for this moment. 

“I urgently call on countries with influence over the parties to ensure that this lifesaving aid reaches those who need it most,” he said.

  What’s left of ‘home’

In the early morning hours after the ceasefire went into effect, many displaced Palestinians began gradually returning to see what is left of their homes.

Shadi Jumaa Abu Sheha returned to Nuseirat in central Gaza, only to find the dwelling he had built mostly with his own hands “is no longer a home, it is a ruin.”  

He was accompanied by a UN News correspondent in Gaza as he assessed the extent of the damage, which had left some of the rooms in ruins, their interiors now open to the weather.

Still, Shadi was relieved that “the bloodshed has stopped”, telling our correspondent: “This is an indescribable feeling. Thank God we survived this war unharmed. But I cannot describe the extent of the destruction…I do not know what to say.”

Safe humanitarian access needed

For its part, the UN World Food Programme (WFP) acted swiftly, with convoys entering Gaza early on Sunday from Egypt and via Ashdod, Israel.  

The ceasefire has allowed the agency to bring in urgently needed food supplies at an unprecedented scale, aiming to stave off starvation in the war-torn region, the agency said in a press release.  

WFP Executive Director Cindy McCain emphasized the critical nature of this initiative, noting that the agency’s goal is to deliver at least 150 truckloads of food into Gaza daily.  

“After 15 months of war, we need all border crossings to stay open and function efficiently, effectively and reliably. And we need humanitarian teams to be able to move freely and safely across Gaza to reach those in need.”

Health challenges ahead  

Meanwhile, the World Health Organization (WHO) expressed its support for the ceasefire and highlighted the monumental health challenges that lie ahead.  

The conflict has left a devastating toll: more than 46,600 people killed, over 110,000 injured, and a health system in disarray, the agency said in a press release.

WHO underscored the urgent need for billions in investment to restore the health infrastructure, calling for the unwavering commitment of donors and the international community. 

The UN health agency and its partners plan to implement a 60-day plan focusing on trauma and emergency care, primary health care, child health, and other critical areas.

“WHO calls on all parties to uphold their commitment to fully implement the ceasefire agreement and to continue working towards a political solution to address the protracted crisis in the occupied Palestinian territory, which is essential for lasting peace.” the agency said.

Focus on women and girls

UN Women has also welcomed the ceasefire and hostage release agreement, expressing hope that all parties will honor their commitments to pave the way for lasting peace for women and girls in Palestine, Israel, and the region.  

“The news of the ceasefire brings relief for the 1 million women and girls who have lived under continued bombardment, without safety in Gaza for the last 470 days,” the agency said in a statement.  

The agency highlighted the urgent need for humanitarian relief and reaffirmed its commitment to working alongside women’s organizations and the families of Gaza to advocate for inclusive recovery efforts, rights, safety, and dignity.

While these efforts mark a significant step forward, the road to recovery is fraught with challenges, UN Women said, urging all parties to uphold the ceasefire and facilitate the safe and efficient delivery of aid. 

In an alert on Monday, the World Food Programme (WFP) said that the trucks will be the first from the UN agency to reach Wad Madani in over a year, since conflict spread there at the end of 2023.

But “they must arrive safely”, the WFP insisted.

Battlefield development

That comes after the Sudanese Armed Forces – the national army – reportedly reclaimed Wad Madani from the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces, who they’ve been battling for control of the country since April 2023.

The conflict has involved the use of heavy artillery, fighter jets and drones. 

It has killed at least 29,600 people and caused one of the world’s biggest displacement crises across the region, with around 11.5 million uprooted inside the country, 3.2 million refugees, and famine declared in parts of northeast Sudan.

The UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has also demanded urgent action from the international community to address the worsening famine. 

Wave of attacks on Ukrainian cities met with swift humanitarian response

The UN aid coordination office, OCHA, said on Monday that further civilian casualties were sustained in Ukraine over the weekend following attacks in the densely populated cities of Kyiv, Kryvyi Rih and Zaporizhzhia.

According to local authorities “the hostilities also disrupted basic services and damaged civilian infrastructure,” said UN Deputy Spokesperson Farhan Haq, at the regular daily briefing in New York. 

Dozens more were reportedly killed and injured in front-line areas in Donetsk, Kharkiv and Sumy regions.

Swift response

“Humanitarian workers swiftly responded wherever security permitted,” Mr. Haq added.  

Aid was provided to civilians who had come under attack in Kyiv, Kryvyi Rih and Zaporizhzhia. Humanitarians provided building materials to cover shattered windows, plus psychological and legal support to affected residents.  

Aid Coordinator for Ukraine, Matthias Schmale, on Friday allocated $70 million from the UN’s Ukraine Humanitarian Fund – which provides aid on the ground – to support the 2025 Needs and Response Plan. 

“The funds will aid newly displaced people, provide essential services in frontline areas, and strengthen local organizations, including those supporting women’s rights, people with disabilities, and marginalized communities,” Mr Haq said. 

Last week, two inter-agency convoys delivered essential aid to front-line areas including Pokrov in Dnipropetrovska and communities in Kherson. Both regions have been heavily impacted by the fighting.

Supplies included food, medicine, hygiene kits, blankets, and solar lamps for residents, many of whom are older or have disabilities. 

Marburg virus alert: WHO’s Tedros advises against travel restrictions

The head of the UN World Health Organization (WHO) has advised against travel restrictions linked to the Marburg virus outbreak in Tanzania.

WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said that “considering the low global risk and the strong capabilities of the Tanzanian Government”, the UN agency’s assessment was that there should not be restrictions on trade and travel to the East African nation.

The WHO chief met Tanzania’s President Samia Suluhu Hassan on Monday to assess the situation and support ongoing efforts. 

Confirmed case

Tedros’s comments came as Tanzania confirmed an outbreak of Marburg disease in northwestern Kagera region with one case confirmed. 

At least nine suspected cases have already been reported and eight people have died. 

Healthworkers were among those affected, and patients presented with similar symptoms including high fever, back pain, diarrhoea and vomiting with blood.

This is the second reported outbreak of the disease in Kagera – the first was almost two years ago, in March 2023, in which a total of nine cases and six deaths were reported. 

Previously, the WHO has said that animal carriers of the disease such as fruit bats remain in the area.

Tedros said that following the outbreak, the Tanzanian authorities had scaled up their response by enhancing case detection, setting up treatment centres and a mobile laboratory to test samples. National response teams have also been deployed.

To support Tanzania’s response, the WHO has released $3 million from its emergencies fund.  

“The WHO regrets the announcement that the United States of America intends to withdraw from the Organization…We hope the United States will reconsider,” said WHO spokesperson Tarik Jasarevic, hours after the new President signed an executive order at the White House, bringing US involvement in the UN agency to an end in 12 months.

The US joined WHO in 1948 after a joint resolution was passed by both chambers of Congress. The resolution requires the country to provide one year’s notice to leave the organization.

President Trump took steps to withdraw from the WHO in 2020 during his first term – but the move was reversed by the Biden administration.

Responding to journalists’ questions in Geneva, Mr. Jasarevic insisted that WHO “plays a crucial role in protecting the health and security of the world’s people, including Americans, by addressing the root causes of disease, building stronger health systems, and detecting, preventing and responding to health emergencies, including disease outbreaks, often in dangerous places where others cannot go.”

Asked about the impact of the US withdrawal, Mr. Jasarevic pointed out that he saw the executive order “this morning like everyone else” and that further analysis will be needed. He confirmed that the US was WHO’s largest single donor, accounting for 18 per cent of the agency’s budget in 2023.

Also in Geneva, UN humanitarian affairs office (OCHA) spokesperson Jens Laerke highlighted the UN health agency’s importance, saying that “the world lives longer, healthier, perhaps a little bit happier because of WHO”.

“WHO is in places where others cannot go,” Mr. Laerke said, including Gaza, Yemen, Afghanistan and Sudan. “It is an indispensable part of the international humanitarian system,” he insisted.

Climate shock

From the UN World Meteorological Organization (WMO), spokesperson Clare Nullis reacted to President Trump’s vow to quit the universally adopted 2015 Paris Agreement – marking an immediate return to the policies of his first presidential term, which ended in January 2021.

The need for all countries to respect the accord was “pretty obvious”, she said, given that 2024 “was the hottest year on record”, at about 1.55°C above the pre-industrial era. “It is the defining challenge of our time,” she insisted.

In the wake of the recent devastating and deadly massive wildfires that ripped through Los Angeles, the WMO spokesperson also noted that the US had suffered the bulk of global economic losses from weather, climate and water-related hazards.

“It has sustained 403 weather and climate disasters since 1980 where overall damages/costs reached or exceeded $1 billion. The total cost of these 403 events exceeds $2.915 trillion, according to US figures,” Ms. Nullis said.

Her comments echoed those of the UN Spokesperson’s Office late on Monday which responded to journalists’ questions insisting that “the transformation envisaged in the Paris Agreement is already underway”, with a renewable “energy revolution” offering opportunities for jobs and prosperity.

“The Secretary-General remains confident that cities, states and businesses within the United States – along with other countries – will continue to demonstrate vision and leadership by working for the low-carbon, resilient economic growth that will create quality jobs and markets for 21st century prosperity,” the statement continued.

“It is crucial that the United States remains a leader on environmental issues,” it concluded.