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December 10, 2025 Peace and security

The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reported on Wednesday that intense fighting in frontline areas of Ukraine continues to cause widespread destruction and force local residents to flee high-risk areas.

According to the latest report by the UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission in the country, civilian casualties increased significantly between June and November in both frontline and urban areas – by 37 percent compared to the previous six months.

In eastern Ukraine, the Donetsk region has been hit hardest by shelling and fighting. According to local authorities, more than ten civilians have been killed and nearly 60 injured in Ukrainian-controlled areas of the region since the beginning of December. The cities of Kramatorsk and Sloviansk suffered particularly heavy damage earlier this week.

Ukrainian non-governmental organizations, with the support of UN agencies, quickly delivered emergency aid—materials to repair damaged windows and roofs—and provided psychological support to the victims.

Amid growing threats, more and more families are leaving dangerous areas of the Donetsk region, either on their own or through government-organized evacuations supported by humanitarian organizations. According to local authorities, nearly 72,000 people, including approximately 8,000 children, have left the Donetsk region since August.

Humanitarian organizations assist civilians at every stage of their journey across Ukraine – from leaving populated areas to transit centers and temporary accommodation for internally displaced persons.

Over the past two weeks, approximately 500 people have been evacuated from frontline areas of Zaporizhzhia. National NGOs have opened an inclusive temporary evacuation center to provide comprehensive support to people with disabilities and limited mobility. The project received funding from the Humanitarian Fund, managed by OCHA, and continues to support local frontline workers providing assistance to those most in need.

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December 10, 2025 Refugees and migrants

Ukrainian humanitarian workers, the founder of a school for refugees in Tajikistan, a village elder in Cameroon, the founder of a women's organization in Iraq, and a businessman from Mexico have been named laureates of the 2025 Nansen Refugee Award. The UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) announced this today.

The award ceremony will take place in Geneva on December 16. The prize is awarded annually for achievements in protecting the rights of internally displaced persons and stateless persons. It is named after the Norwegian polar explorer, League of Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, and Nobel Peace Prize laureate Fridtjof Nansen.

"We must take care of each other"

"The Nansen Refugee Award recognizes exceptional courage and humanity," said UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi. "This year's laureates remind us that even in the darkest times, compassion is essential. Their unwavering commitment to protecting and supporting displaced people is inspiring and hopeful. They embody the spirit of Nansen – the belief that every person forced to flee their home, wherever they may be, deserves dignity, safety, and hope."

At the global level, this year's laureate was Elder Martin Asia Sodea from Cameroon, a leader whose humanity and generosity have transformed the lives of tens of thousands of people. When refugees from the Central African Republic arrived in the village of Gado-Badzere, the locals did not turn their backs on them. At the initiative of Sodea and his family, the community provided land for the arrivals to live and farm, giving them the opportunity to get back on their feet. Thanks to his leadership, the small village became a symbol of solidarity—based on the belief that people in need deserve support and a place to feel safe again.

Sodea also inspired other traditional leaders to help refugees, which contributed to a change in attitudes toward them throughout the region. His message is simple but crucial: "We are all human beings, and we must take care of each other."

Regional winners

Four regional award winners were also announced.

"Proliska" is a Ukrainian organization, providing vital assistance More than 3.2 million people, often in the most dangerous and inaccessible areas of the country. After shelling and strikes, Proliska is often the first to come to the rescue, leaving no one without support.

Negara Nazari is an Afghan refugee and co-founder of the Ariana Learning Center in Tajikistan. A graduate of the DAFI scholarship program run by UNHCR with a degree in economics, she chose a path to helping others and founded a school for young Afghan refugees left without access to education.

Pablo Moreno Cadena is a Mexican businessman who has become a pioneer in refugee integration. As the head of MABE, one of the largest home appliance manufacturers, he actively employs and supports displaced people.

Taban Shoresh is a humanitarian worker, human rights activist, and founder of The Lotus Flower, an organization that supports women and girls affected by conflict and violence in Iraqi Kurdistan. Shoresh's family suffered during the genocide against the Kurds in northern Iraq, and she has dedicated herself to helping others in similar situations.

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December 10, 2025 UN

The top news of the day in the UN and around the world: UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk called for harnessing the energy of social movements for transformative reforms; one of the largest humanitarian disasters of modern times is unfolding in Afghanistan; the evacuation of civilians continues amid intense fighting in the frontline regions of Ukraine; and the UN chief has begun his visit to Saudi Arabia.

Protection of human rights

Human rights are under attack worldwide, according to Volker Türk, the UN's top human rights official. He noted that the past year "has been difficult"—against the backdrop of declining funding for human rights activities, anti-rights movements are increasingly gaining resources and increasing their influence. Despite these trends, Türk emphasized, in many countries, young people are taking to the streets and engaging in social media activism, speaking out against war, inequality, corruption, and repression. Türk called on governments to "harness the energy of social movements" as a potential for transformation, rather than suppressing them.

Security Council on Afghanistan

At a meeting of the UN Security Council, Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs Tom Fletcher stated that Afghanistan is facing one of the largest humanitarian disasters of modern times. Nearly 22 million Afghans will require assistance by 2026. In 2025, more than 2.6 million refugees, primarily from Iran and Pakistan, will return to the country. Most of them are women and children. Furthermore, the country was rocked by two major earthquakes this year. The UN is requesting $1.7 billion in aid for Afghanistan next year.

The UN provides assistance to Ukraine

The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reports that the evacuation of civilians continues amid intense fighting in frontline regions of Ukraine. According to the latest report from the UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission in the country, civilian casualties increased by 37 percent in both frontline and urban areas between June and November of this year, compared to the previous six months. With the support of UN agencies, non-governmental organizations are providing assistance to residents of the affected regions.

UN chief visits Saudi Arabia

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres Guterres began his visit to Saudi Arabia today. He praised the Kingdom's cooperation with the United Nations. In the capital, Riyadh, he met with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. They discussed a range of regional issues and the current geopolitical situation. The UN chief also plans to meet with the Saudi Arabian Foreign Minister and Energy Minister.

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December 10, 2025 Human rights

On Wednesday, Australia launched the world's first ban on social media use by children and adolescents under 16. The official goal of the ban is to protect young people from cyberbullying, sexual exploitation, and harmful content that harms mental health.

While other countries are considering similar measures, the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) warns that age restrictions alone are not enough to keep children safe online.

"While we welcome the growing global commitment to protecting children in the digital environment, such bans pose new risks and can be counterproductive," the organization said in a statement.

For many children—especially isolated and marginalized ones—social media is a kind of "lifeline," facilitating communication, learning, and self-expression, the foundation believes. Furthermore, many will find ways to circumvent the ban, whether through VPNs or less-regulated platforms, making their protection even more difficult.

Child protection and human rights

"Age restrictions must be part of a broader strategy that protects children from harm, respects their right to privacy, and does not push them into unregulated, less safe digital spaces," UNICEF emphasized.

According to the foundation's representatives, legislative regulation should not replace online platforms' responsibility to invest in child safety. Age-restriction laws are no substitute for improved platform design and rigorous content moderation.

A call for joint action

UNICEF calls on governments, regulators and technology companies to work together with children and their families to create a safe and inclusive digital space that respects children's rights.

The United Nations Children's Fund recommends that countries help parents improve their digital literacy: "Today, they are being asked to do the impossible: control platforms they didn't create and algorithms they don't understand."

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk also commented on this matter: "We know how difficult it is for society to find a balance in protecting children online. When social media was launched, no one assessed their potential impact on human rights."

"It's important to monitor which methods work and which don't," added Volker Türk. "However, from a human rights perspective, the answer is clear: the interests of the child must be at the center of all decisions."

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December 10, 2025 Human rights

Human rights are under attack worldwide, UN Human Rights Chief Volker Türk said on Human Rights Day, celebrated on December 10.

Turk noted that the past year "was difficult" – against the backdrop of declining funding for human rights activities, anti-rights movements are increasingly receiving resources and increasing their influence.

The Energy of Social Movements – Potential for Transformation

According to him, defense industry profits are growing rapidly, while funding for humanitarian aid and civil society organizations is declining. Revenues for the 100 largest defense companies reached a record $679 billion in 2024.

Human rights defenders around the world are attacked, face sanctions and prosecution, while those who order crimes remain unpunished.

Despite these trends, Türk emphasized, in many countries – from Nepal and Serbia to Ecuador, Tanzania, Indonesia, Morocco, and Peru – young people are taking to the streets and engaging in social media activities to protest war, inequality, corruption, and repression.

The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights has called on governments to "harness the energy of social movements" as a potential for transformation, rather than suppress them.

“I call on governments around the world to harness the energy of these social movements to create opportunities for broader transformative reforms, rather than rushing to suppress them or label them as extremism and threats to national security,” Turk said.

He said the UN Human Rights Office he leads has lost about $90 million in revenue this year, leading to the loss of 300 jobs and cuts to key programs, including in Colombia, Myanmar, Tunisia and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Türk specifically noted the rapid growth of anti-rights and anti-gender movements. These organizations receive funding from donors in Europe, Russia, and the United States. According to the European Forum on Sexual and Reproductive Rights, in Europe alone, they raised nearly $1.2 billion between 2019 and 2023.

Humanitarian consequences of conflicts

Türk paid special attention to the humanitarian consequences of the conflicts. In Gaza, he said, attacks continue, access to essential services remains limited, and the West Bank has seen an unprecedented level of attacks by Israeli forces and settlers.

The situation in Africa also remains grave: in the eastern part of the DR Congo, clashes continue between the army and the Rwandan-backed M23 group, while in Sudan, almost the entire population has been affected by the conflict between the country's armed forces and the Rapid Intervention Forces.

Speaking about Ukraine, Türk said the number of civilian casualties had risen by 24 percent compared to last year due to Russia's intensive use of long-range weapons and continued attempts to seize additional territory.

"Large-scale attacks on Ukraine's energy system have led to emergency and prolonged daily power outages, water supply, and heating interruptions in many areas," Türk said.

"Urgent steps must be taken to alleviate the suffering [of the population], including the return of displaced children, the exchange of prisoners of war and the unconditional release of civilians held by Russian authorities," he added.

In concluding his address, the High Commissioner noted that despite all the difficulties, the global movement in support of human rights remains unabated. He expressed confidence that journalists, human rights defenders, and youth initiatives will continue to make progress.

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December 10, 2025 Culture and education

From the textile traditions of Belarus and the culinary practices of Central Asia to the ritual dances of Kenya, UNESCO inscribed dozens of new forms of heritage on its lists this year. The decisions were made at the 20th session of the Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage, which opened on December 8 in New Delhi, India.

Unlike monuments and historical sites, intangible cultural heritage encompasses crafts, customs, musical and ritual traditions, and social practices that communities pass on from generation to generation. UNESCO emphasizes that the richness of human traditions is at risk of being lost due to social, economic, and environmental challenges.

Heritage in urgent need of protection

This year, traditions from all over the world were inscribed on the List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding.

Among them is the Neglyubka textile tradition—the art of hand weaving and embroidery practiced in the village of Neglyubka in the Gomel region of Belarus. They create unique towels, household items, and clothing items. The tradition is primarily maintained by women, passing on skills within families, often from grandmothers and mothers to daughters. Neglyubka weaving is an important symbol of local identity and a factor in economic development, attracting tourists and researchers. However, the tradition is currently threatened by a dwindling number of artisans.

The list also includes the practice of making and playing the kobyz, a musical instrument common in the Republic of Karakalpakstan, an autonomous region within Uzbekistan. This ancient, two-stringed, bow-shaped instrument is handcrafted from local woods, with strings and a bow made of horsehair. The body is covered in leather and decorated with carvings. The kobyz is more than just a musical instrument; it is a key element of the nomadic cultural heritage. It is played by storytellers, or jyrau, who perform epic works using the throat singing technique. This tradition fosters community, transmits historical memory, and maintains cultural ties between generations.

Also on this year's list are ritual dances in Kenya, color printing on wooden boards in Vietnam, playing the clay musical instrument borindo in Pakistan, mud house building techniques in Panama, traditional ceramics in Paraguay, sea salt production in the Philippines, moliceiro boat making in Portugal, epic singing with lahut in Albania, and the "landship" tradition of Barbados.

Living heritage of global significance

UNESCO also expanded its Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

It incorporates Tajik traditions associated with sumanak, a traditional Navruz dish made from sprouted wheat with butter, flour, and walnuts. The preparation process takes up to a day and is accompanied by women singing and dancing, while men tend the fire and perform physical labor.

Also added to the list are Georgian practices related to the cultivation and harvesting of endemic wheat varieties, traditional bread baking, and agricultural rituals. Wheat symbolizes life, prosperity, and the continuity of generations. These traditions are an important part of Georgian life.

The Kyrgyz drink "maksym" and its unique preparation methods have also been added to the UNESCO list. This thick, fermented drink is made by frying flour in mutton fat and then fermenting it. Its preparation brings families together and symbolizes prosperity and hospitality.

The list also includes: the ceremonial men's cloak bisht (Middle East), the Venezuelan genre of joropo, the Bolivian festival of the Virgin of Guadalupe, the Argentine genre of cuarteto, Tangail sare weaving in Bangladesh, miniatures in the style of Behzad (Afghanistan), Belgian puppet theater, Christmas traditions of Belize, Bulgarian bagpipes, the wedding procession "zaffa" in the countries of Africa and the Middle East, and other traditions.

UNESCO emphasizes that rapid social change, migration, climate change, and a loss of interest in history among young people threaten the disappearance of traditions that have shaped the cultural identity of peoples for centuries. New designations help attract attention, resources, and support to ensure the survival of these unique practices.

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December 10, 2025 Humanitarian aid

At a meeting of the UN Security Council on Wednesday, Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs Tom Fletcher said Afghanistan is facing one of the largest humanitarian disasters in modern times.

Nearly 22 million Afghans will require aid in 2026, making the country the third-worst humanitarian crisis in the world after Sudan and Yemen.

Famine and natural disasters

To help 17.5 million people in Afghanistan, the UN is appealing for $1.7 billion, of which $375.9 million is urgently needed to help 3.9 million of the most vulnerable Afghans. The number of people suffering from hunger in Afghanistan has increased for the first time in four years, reaching 17.4 million. More than 2.6 million refugees will have returned to the country in 2025, and more than four million in the past two years alone. Most of them are women and children, who face severe restrictions on education, employment, and access to healthcare.

The country was further devastated by two major earthquakes in August and November, which claimed thousands of lives and destroyed entire villages. Drought has affected 3.4 million people this year, reducing crop yields and accelerating the depletion of water resources.

Restrictions on women's employment

Tom Fletcher emphasized that restrictions on women's work in humanitarian organizations seriously complicate the provision of foreign aid. In September, the country's de facto authorities banned female UN staff from visiting offices, and in October, from working at key reception centers for returning refugees. Furthermore, humanitarian operations face bureaucratic obstacles and pressure from local authorities.

External financing deficit

The lack of funding has already had dire consequences. For the first time in years, with the onset of cold weather, international food supplies were almost nonexistent: only about a million people received aid, down from 5.6 million the previous year. 305 food centers were closed, depriving 1.1 million children of vital support. 422 medical facilities also closed, cutting off access to healthcare for three million people.

In closing his remarks, Tom Fletcher made three key requests of the Security Council members: to uphold the humanitarian exception in Resolution 2615, insist on lifting restrictions on women aid workers and funding a global humanitarian plan to avoid further cuts to aid for the people of Afghanistan.

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