The UN suspends movements in Yemen due to staff detentions, UNICEF reveals climate-related education disruptions affecting millions, while OCHA launches a humanitarian response for Nigeria, aiming to assist 3.6 million people in northeastern states.
The UN has ceased all movements of its teams in Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen after the detention of more UN staffers. The Houthis recently released a merchant ship crew held for over a year, raising hopes for the release of over 60 detained UN personnel. Julien Harneis, the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Yemen, emphasized that due to escalating security issues, this suspension will be in effect until further notice.
In response to the recent detentions, UN Deputy Spokesperson Farhan Haq informed that the organization is communicating with authorities in Yemen to secure the prompt release of their personnel. The humanitarian situation in Yemen continues to deteriorate as safety remains a primary concern for aid operations, stressing the necessity of protecting UN staff to ensure critical aid reaches those in need.
The UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) reported that at least 242 million students across 85 countries experienced disruptions in their schooling due to extreme climate events in 2024. These climate hazards, including heatwaves, storms, and floods, have exacerbated the global learning crisis. As of this year, one in seven students has faced educational disruptions due to such climate impacts.
The statistics reveal that 23 of the affected countries underwent multiple school closures, with a notable 74% of impacted students from low-income regions. South Asia suffered the most, impacting 128 million students, while East Asia and the Pacific were next with 50 million affected. Particularly, heatwaves posed the greatest threat, affecting approximately 171 million students in total.
The Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) announced a humanitarian response plan in Nigeria targeting 3.6 million individuals in the northeastern states of Borno, Adamawa, and Yobe. This plan, featuring an appeal for $910 million, aims to provide critical health services, nutrition for children, water, sanitation, and hygiene support.
OCHA outlined its strategy to adapt to decreasing global funding by optimizing resource allocation, directly supporting local assistance efforts, and focusing on cash and voucher assistance. Plans also include preventative measures to mitigate the effects of floods and disease outbreaks in affected communities.
The article discusses the recent detainment of UN staff in Yemen, the substantial disruption of education due to climate crises, and Nigeria’s humanitarian aid initiative. Continued security concerns are limiting UN operations in Yemen, while extreme weather has critically disrupted education for millions of children globally. In Nigeria, a targeted aid plan aims to assist vulnerable populations affected by conflict and climate change, highlighting the need for immediate funding and optimized support strategies.
Original Source: news.un.org
