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Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

Source: United Nations – United Nations –

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November 26, 2025 Humanitarian aid

Somalia is experiencing a rapidly worsening drought: for the fourth consecutive rainy season, rainfall has been extremely poor, reservoirs have run dry, vast swathes of the country are without water, and millions of people are at risk of starvation and displacement, UN humanitarian agencies warned on Wednesday.

On November 10, the Federal Government of Somalia officially declared a state of emergency and appealed to the international community for assistance. The situation continues to deteriorate in the northern, central, and southern regions of the country, according to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA).

One of the hardest-hit regions was Puntland in eastern Somalia, where local authorities estimate nearly a million people are in need of assistance, 130,000 of whom require emergency aid.

Acute shortage of resources

UN staff visiting the Bari and Nugaal regions in early November documented severe water and food shortages. Local residents fear the situation could escalate into a catastrophe in the coming months.

"There has been no rain since last year; this is the worst drought in many years," said Abdikani Osman Omar, head of the village council of Shahda in the Bari region.

"Hundreds of displaced families arrived here three months ago, and the flow continues. They are mostly women and children; the men have gone to neighboring Ethiopia in search of pasture and water," he added.

According to Omar, the village lacks the resources to support the displaced people, as even local residents lack water and food.

In many parts of Puntland, water bodies have dried up, vegetation has died, and many settlements have been abandoned.

In the city of Dahan, where brief rains in early spring gave residents reason to hope for the best, people are now forced to buy expensive imported water after the local well turned out to be contaminated.

Serious funding shortfall

Lack of funding worsens the crisis.

"We used to receive food aid, food for the children, and medicine for our medical center. Now this aid has practically ceased," said the head of the Jama community, Abshir Hersi. According to him, about 150 families have resettled in the city.

As of November 23, the 2025 Humanitarian Response Plan for Somalia was only 23.7 percent funded. This has forced organizations to drastically reduce aid. The number of people receiving food parcels has fallen from 1.1 million in August to just 350,000 this month.

In Puntland alone, 89 food points and 198 health centres are facing severe resource shortages.

Millions of people are starving

The drought is unfolding amid an already dire humanitarian situation. Some 4.4 million people are projected to face acute food insecurity by December, and 1.85 million children under five are estimated to suffer from acute malnutrition by mid-2026.

Weather forecasts don't promise any immediate relief. The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) warns that dry and hot conditions will persist in most parts of Somalia, particularly in the central and northern regions.

"High temperatures and lack of rain are likely to exacerbate water shortages and hinder pasture recovery in most areas," FAO said.

Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source. It represents an accurate account of the source's assertions and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

Source: United Nations – United Nations –

An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

November 26, 2025 Economic development

Young people make a vital contribution to the development of the industrial complex and the introduction of new technologies. Furthermore, young people are generally concerned about issues such as climate change and are eager to serve society. The role of young people was highlighted at the Global Industrial Summit in Riyadh, with an entire day dedicated to the generation of the future.

Young people are ready to take risks

Today, 90 percent of startups fail, and one could understand young people deciding that starting their own company – especially in such turbulent times for the global economy – is too risky.

"But there's a 10 percent chance you can make a difference in people's lives," counters student Daniel Wu, who boldly chose to take the risk.

"If no one takes advantage of that 10 percent, then no one will succeed in the future," he adds.

Wu's project, a digital platform for training rural youth in AI and software skills, has reached the finals of the Youth Innovation Competition run by the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO).

As a finalist, Wu was invited to the UNIDO Global Industrial Summit in Riyadh, where he participated in a session of the Youth Parliament. This is a global discussion platform created by UNIDO jointly with the Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources of Saudi Arabia.

Dialogue with political and industry leaders

The energy and enthusiasm of the young entrepreneurs who attended the summit was palpable: they were eager to maximize networking opportunities and made sure to meet as many mentors, policymakers, and potential investors as possible.

The official youth program included a series of interactive dialogues, presentations of innovative technologies, and mentoring sessions. Young delegates presented cutting-edge solutions in renewable energy, circular economy practices, and digital manufacturing.

The forum's events opened up new opportunities for direct communication between young people and political and industry leaders.

"We know how our generation thinks"

Beyond the alarming statistics and high failure rates among startups, a lack of experience can also be a barrier for young people. But this doesn't stop Wu, who is convinced that young people's initiatives deserve investment because they offer a unique perspective on the world.

"We grew up with computers, with the internet, and we understand how people interact with different types of content. We have a good understanding of how our generation—the next big market segment—thinks, and that's why we have an advantage over the older generation," says Wu.

By dedicating an entire day to youth, the organizers of the Global Manufacturing Summit sent a clear message to the world: the industry of the future is shaped not only by established leaders, but also by the creativity and determination of the next generation.

Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source. It represents an accurate account of the source's assertions and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

Source: United Nations – United Nations –

An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

November 26, 2025 Peace and security

Since the beginning of the year, more than 340 educational institutions in Ukraine have been damaged or completely destroyed as a result of the ongoing full-scale war. This disrupts the educational process and deprives children of their right to an education, the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) reported today.

This brings the total number of schools damaged or destroyed since the war escalated in February 2022 to 2,800. Since these are only UN-confirmed incidents, the actual figure is likely higher.

"Schools must remain protected spaces where children can learn safely, even during war. In times of crisis, education provides children with support and a sense of normalcy," noted UNICEF Country Representative Munir Mammadzadeh.

"Schools are more than just places for learning: they provide children with comprehensive development through interaction with classmates and teachers, and also provide access to other social services," he added.

Threats to children

This school year – the fourth under conditions of a full-scale war – 4.6 million young residents of Ukraine continue face dangers and obstacles during the educational process. Attacks damage and destroy schools, threatening the lives of children. Air raid sirens interrupt classes. Many schools, especially in frontline areas, are closed due to fighting or a lack of adequate shelters, forcing nearly a million children to study online.

For those studying in a blended format or entirely remotely, the lack of face-to-face interaction with teachers and peers complicates the educational process and exacerbates the negative effects of war on psychological health and development.

"Despite all the challenges, Ukrainian children are determined to continue their education – in schools or online, in classrooms or in shelters. They believe in a future where their dreams will come true," Mammadzade said.

Investing in the future

As part of the response, implemented by UNICEF in collaboration with the government and local partners, more than half a million children have gained access to inclusive formal and non-formal education, including safe in-person learning—the most effective learning format. Catch-up classes have also been organized for those who were forced to miss some classes.

Read also:

Numbers and faces: how war changed the lives of Ukrainian schoolchildren

This year marks the 10th anniversary of the Safe Schools Declaration, UNICEF recalls. At that time, the global community pledged to protect children's right to education during wartime, ensure the continuity of education, and prevent the use of schools for military purposes.

At a two-day International Conference on the Declaration, which concludes today in Nairobi, UNICEF is joining government representatives, children, youth activists and other partners to discuss how best to support education in conflict-affected settings and how to strengthen this global commitment.

Education during wartime is not a privilege – it is a necessity, the UN agency emphasizes. UNICEF calls on international partners to continue supporting Ukraine's education system. The fund is convinced that this is a vital investment in children and the country's future.

Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source. It represents an accurate account of the source's assertions and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.