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February 10, 2026 Peace and security

Children in Sudan are facing the world's worst humanitarian disaster, United Nations officials warned on Tuesday. As fighting intensifies, access to life-saving aid continues to decline.

"Catastrophic" hunger figures

"No child on the planet is currently experiencing what the children of Sudan are experiencing," said Ricardo Pires of the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF). He noted that the situation in Northern Darfur is rapidly deteriorating: in some areas, more than half of all children suffer from acute malnutrition.

According to new data, three districts have reached catastrophic levels. In Um Barru, the global acute malnutrition rate has reached 53 percent—one of the highest levels ever recorded globally. In Kernoi, the rate is 34 percent, and in At Tina, 20 percent.

After the fall of El Fasher in October 2025, more than 127,000 people fled to areas already in crisis. Fighting has now broken out there again, and children find themselves at the epicenter of what humanitarian workers are calling "a possible final battle for Darfur."

Two-thirds of the population need help

Across the country, 33.7 million people require humanitarian assistance – approximately two-thirds of the population, half of them children. This year, 825,000 children are projected to suffer from severe malnutrition. Seventy percent of healthcare facilities are non-functional.

At the end of January, UNICEF screened 85,000 children in the three hardest-hit districts and identified over 5,400 cases of severe acute malnutrition. The organization is supporting 25 therapeutic feeding programs, deploying mobile clinics, and delivering supplies across the border from Chad. However, funding shortages, access issues, and ongoing fighting are seriously complicating its work.

The healthcare system is destroyed

The country's healthcare system has been devastated by nearly three years of war, noted Dr. Shible Sahbani, the World Health Organization (WHO) representative in Sudan. More than 21 million people require medical care.

Since the beginning of the conflict, the WHO has confirmed 205 attacks on health facilities, resulting in 1,924 deaths and 529 injuries. More than a third of health facilities are completely non-functional, and another third are only partially operational.

Cholera vaccination

Despite this, WHO vaccinated over 12 million people against cholera and expanded its malaria vaccination program to protect nearly 220,000 children. With WHO support, hospitals, primary care centers, and mobile clinics provided medical care to up to six million people.

Representatives of both organizations emphasized Sudan's urgent need for peace. "Time is running out to prevent significant human losses," Pires said. "The violence must end, and the world must not turn its back on the children of Sudan."

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February 10, 2026 Peace and security

Escalating violence, political stalemate, and diminishing humanitarian aid capacity are bringing South Sudan closer to a new, full-scale conflict, a senior UN official warned Security Council members on Tuesday, speaking at a meeting on the rapidly deteriorating situation in the country.

Increased clashes

UN Under-Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations Jean-Pierre Lacroix informed Council members that clashes between government forces and the opposition have intensified in recent weeks, particularly in Jonglei State. The fighting has led to mass displacement, restricted humanitarian access, and heightened fears that the widespread violence of 2013 and 2016 could recur. According to government data, more than 280,000 people have been forced to flee their homes in Jonglei alone.

The UN expressed grave concern over reports of aerial bombardment, provocative rhetoric, and the forced displacement of civilians, including in the area of the UN Mission in South Sudan's base in Akobo. Although authorities later denied any mandatory evacuation orders, the UN emphasized that such actions and statements could further escalate the situation and called on the opposing forces to exercise restraint and protect civilians.

Political tension

Political tensions persist between the main signatories to the Revitalized Peace Agreement. The UN, along with the African Union and the Intergovernmental Authority on Development, reiterated that the agreement remains the only viable foundation for peace and stability and warned against unilateral attempts to change it. Specifically, they argued that proposals to postpone the drafting of a constitution until after elections could undermine the agreement and destabilize the country.

Worsening humanitarian situation

The humanitarian situation is also deteriorating. South Sudan remains one of the most dangerous countries for humanitarian workers: 350 attacks on humanitarian personnel and facilities were recorded in 2025, a significant increase from the previous year. Access restrictions, particularly in opposition-controlled areas, are complicating the response to the country's largest cholera outbreak. Since September 2024, more than 98,000 cases have been recorded, and cases are now again rising in Jonglei.

Attack on medical facilities

Recent attacks on medical facilities, the looting of humanitarian aid, and restrictions on medical evacuation for the sick further hamper the provision of life-saving assistance. The violence has forced the closure of dozens of food centers, depriving thousands of malnourished children, as well as pregnant and breastfeeding women, of assistance. Overall, more than 10 million people in the country require humanitarian assistance.

Activities of the UN Mission

The UN Mission in South Sudan continues to engage with the political leadership, conduct patrols, and facilitate humanitarian operations. However, cost-cutting measures have significantly limited its capabilities: the number of patrols and human rights monitoring missions has been reduced, despite rising instability in areas where UN bases have been closed.

Call for Consensus

Concluding the briefing, the UN representative called on South Sudanese leaders to abandon confrontation, return to inclusive dialogue, and reaffirm their commitment to the peace agreement. Without consensus and participation from all parties, he warned, any future elections will not be considered credible.

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February 10, 2026 Climate and environment

Every year on February 10, the world celebrates World Pulses Day – a holiday that at first glance seems niche, but in fact touches on key aspects of global food security and sustainable development. Lentils, beans, chickpeas, and peas are a strategic resource with the potential to transform food systems and help the planet cope with climate change.

It's no coincidence that pulses are called "crops of the future." They're rich in protein and essential amino acids, improve soil health thanks to their ability to fix nitrogen, require significantly less water than many other crops, and help reduce greenhouse gas emissions. At the same time, they remain affordable for millions of families worldwide, making them a vital tool in the fight against hunger and malnutrition.

A step towards a more environmentally friendly diet

With over 700 million people worldwide facing food insecurity and climate change threatening crops, legumes are becoming part of the solution. They are drought-resistant, grow well in any soil, and allow farmers to generate a stable income even in challenging conditions. Furthermore, plant-based protein from legumes is becoming an increasingly popular alternative to livestock products, which remain one of the largest sources of greenhouse gas emissions. Even a partial switch to legumes is a step toward a more environmentally friendly and responsible diet.

Culinary diplomacy

World Pulses Day is not only an element of agricultural policy but also a cultural phenomenon. Lentil dal in India, hummus in the Middle East, Brazilian feijoada, and Georgian lobio—pulses unite the cuisines of the world, demonstrating how diverse dishes can be made from simple ingredients. Through gastronomy, they become part of the cultural dialogue between countries and regions.

This day is a good opportunity to reflect on your own habits: adding chickpeas or beans to your diet means making a choice in favor of health and careful use of natural resources.

World Pulses Day reminds us that sometimes the smallest seeds have a significant global impact. Pulses are an example of how simple solutions can benefit people, the economy, and the planet.

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February 9, 2026 International law

UN Secretary-General António Guterres expressed grave concern on Monday over reports of the Israeli Security Cabinet's decision to authorize a series of administrative and law enforcement measures in Areas A and B of the occupied West Bank.

According to media reports, these measures will facilitate the transfer of Palestinian land to Jewish settlers, thereby expanding Israel's influence in this territory.

The UN chief warned that trends on the ground – including these measures – are undermining prospects implementation of the two-state solution.

The settlements are illegal

He reiterated that all Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem, as well as the regime and infrastructure associated with them, have no legal validity and constitute a violation of international law, including UN resolutions.

“Such actions, including Israel’s continued presence in the occupied Palestinian territory, are not only destabilizing but also – as the International Court of Justice reminds us “They are illegal,” the Secretary-General’s press service said in a statement.

The Secretary-General called on Israel to reverse these measures. He also called on all parties to "preserve the only path to lasting peace—a negotiated two-State solution," in accordance with Security Council resolutions and international law.

Responding to questions during a press briefing in New York, UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric stressed that Israeli measures "move us further and further away from a two-state solution and from the ability of the Palestinian Authority and the Palestinian people to control their own destiny."

Ongoing humanitarian efforts in Gaza

Meanwhile, humanitarian agencies in the Gaza Strip continue their efforts to distribute food and other aid, despite obstacles and difficult operating conditions.

Residents of Gaza City continue to experience severe shortages of drinking and household water, despite the recent opening of a water pipeline connecting Israel to Gaza. Currently, only 6,000 cubic meters of water reach the city daily, with significant losses in hard-to-reach areas.

To mitigate this shortage, the UN and partners have increased water production and trucked water from underground wells and private desalination plants. Since the end of January, humanitarian agencies have distributed over 100,000 jerrycans of water throughout the Gaza Strip, Dujarric reported. They have also distributed over 700,000 bars of soap and over 25,000 hygiene kits to local residents.

Mine threat

Since Wednesday, humanitarian workers have conducted over 200 explosive hazard assessments as part of rubble clearing efforts. Last week, over 10,000 children and adults received information about the risks of mines and unexploded ordnance.

Since the ceasefire came into effect last October, 33 explosive device incidents have been reported in the enclave, killing nine people and injuring 65.

Restrictions on humanitarian access

The UN notes that humanitarian workers continue to face restrictions, including on the import of so-called "dual-use items" and goods classified as non-humanitarian. These include spare parts and some shelter materials.

In addition, humanitarian operations are undermined by Israel's deregistration of some international non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and restrictions on the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA).

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February 9, 2026 Peace and security

South Africa has decided to withdraw its contingent from the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO). President Cyril Ramaphosa announced that he has notified UN Secretary-General António Guterres of this decision.

The decision, the South African leader emphasized, stems from the need to "consolidate and redistribute armed forces resources" after 27 years of the country's participation in peacekeeping operations in the DRC. South Africa is one of the ten largest contributors to the mission, with over 700 troops.

The Mission expressed deep gratitude to the Government and people of South Africa for their long-standing support and stressed that it would work towards a “safe, orderly and responsible” withdrawal of peacekeepers. Antonio Guterres, in turn, also thanked the country for its contribution to the mission's activities, said UN chief spokesman Stephane Dujarric.

The mission has been operating in the DRC since 2010. Its mandate includes protecting civilians and contributing to the country's stabilization. As of October 2025, more than 12,400 personnel served in MONUSCO. Since the mission's inception, 304 UN peacekeepers, including South African troops, have been killed.

UN Under-Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations Jean-Pierre Lacroix is currently in the DRC. He is discussing the implementation of the Mission's mandate and supporting a permanent ceasefire. Lacroix will visit North Kivu province and then head to the African Union summit in Addis Ababa.

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February 9, 2026 Refugees and migrants

The new head of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has called on states to move from "endless management" of the consequences of forced displacement to a genuine reduction in long-term dependence on humanitarian aid.

In his first briefing since taking office earlier this year, Barham Saleh outlined an ambitious course of reform and stressed the need for a renewed international consensus on protection, solutions and fair sharing of responsibilities.

"Humanitarian aid saves lives and must continue to be provided wherever there is need," Saleh said. "But when emergency response tools become long-term measures and entire generations become dependent, we don't create sustainability. Success should be measured by whether people are ultimately able to rebuild their lives."

According to the High Commissioner, refugee protection remains one of the fundamental principles of the existing international system. He recalled that 2026 will mark the 75th anniversary of the 1951 Refugee Convention and emphasized that States' obligations to respect it are "more important than ever."

Strategic goals

Today, there are nearly 117 million forcibly displaced people worldwide, including 42.5 million refugees. Most of them have lived in limbo for years or decades, without any real prospects. In some cases, they are safe, yet excluded from national social systems and forced to rely on humanitarian aid. According to Saleh, this state of affairs should not be considered inevitable.

The High Commissioner outlined a strategic goal: to significantly reduce the number of refugees in protracted displacement and dependent on humanitarian assistance over the next decade. To achieve this, he noted, it is necessary to promote voluntary return, local integration, and resettlement; more closely link humanitarian action with development and peacebuilding programs; expand opportunities for self-sufficiency; and strengthen the inclusion of refugees in national systems.

Problems of host countries

Saleh spoke about his first visits to displacement zones. In Kenya, he saw the benefits of policies that allow refugees to work, study, and integrate into society. In Chad, he saw the scale of the needs of people continuing to flee the conflict in Sudan and the limited resources. In Turkey and Jordan, the primary goal is to create conditions for the safe and voluntary return of Syrians to their homeland. These examples, he emphasized, demonstrate UNHCR's dual responsibility: saving lives today and preventing displacement from becoming an "endless dead end" tomorrow.

Independent verification

Saleh also announced an independent management review aimed at improving UNHCR's efficiency, accountability, and financial transparency amid shrinking resources. He promised clearer priorities, results-based indicators, and improved real-time budget monitoring.

"This isn't about lowering our ambitions," he emphasized. "We need to align our ambitions with our resources so that the people we serve don't pay a high price for our ineffectiveness."

In closing, Saleh emphasized his commitment to practical partnership with Member States: “If we stabilize the organization, consolidate protection reforms, and focus international efforts on sustainable solutions, we will be able to work more effectively – for refugees, host communities, and States.”

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