(Peace and Security – Sudan) As Sudan’s civil war intensified on Monday, top UN officials condemned the killing of dozens of children in drone strikes in South Kordofan state – and the targeting of first responders trying to help the wounded. In a statement issued by his Spokesperson, UN Secretary-General António Guterres said that he was appalled to learn that multiple drone strikes on 4 December had hit a children’s nursery and a hospital in Kalogi, where the injured were being treated. Echoing those concerns, the head of UN World Health Organization, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, said that Kalogi Rural Hospital had been targeted at least three times, killing 114 people including 63 children. – Sudan: UN chief condemns deadly strikes on children’s nursery, hospital | UN News
(Peace and Security – Ukraine) Civilians across Ukraine endured a surge in deadly strikes over the weekend, with the UN warning of an “alarming pattern” of intensifying hostilities and mounting damage to essential services as temperatures continue to drop. Speaking in New York on Monday, UN Spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric told journalists the UN humanitarian office, OCHA, was deeply concerned by the scale and spread of the latest attacks. “In recent days we’ve seen an alarming pattern of intensifying hostilities in frontline areas and persistent attacks on critical civilian infrastructure,” he said. – Ukraine civilians bear brunt of escalating attacks as winter closes in | UN News
(Peace and Security – Russia/Ukraine/European Security) The Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) chief on Monday urged the UN Security Council to uphold core principles of sovereignty, territorial integrity and human rights, warning that Russia’s war in Ukraine continues to undermine European security. – At UN, OSCE warns of erosion of security principles amid Ukraine conflict | UN News
(Peace and Security – Syria) A year after the fall of the Assad regime opened the door to political and judicial reform, Syria’s future is still precarious. The UN on Monday hailed the determination of Syrians working to rebuild their country but cautioned that sustained international engagement is essential to keep the transition from the chaos of a year ago on track – amid ongoing security and humanitarian challenges. “Syrians astonished the world by overcoming years of authoritarian rule – marking the first real chance in generations to reshape their country’s future after decades of conflict, unfathomable brutality and profound human suffering,” said UN Deputy Special Envoy for Syria Najat Rochdi. She said Syrians have shown “remarkable courage” over the past year despite hardship and uncertainty. – Syria at a crossroads: UN warns fragile transition needs global support | UN News
(Humanitarian Aid) The UN and partners are seeking $23 billion to provide lifesaving support next year to 87 million people worldwide affected by war, climate disasters, earthquakes, epidemics and crop failures. This is the immediate priority of the $33 billion Global Humanitarian Overview 2026, launched on Monday, which aims to reach 135 million people overall in 50 countries. “This appeal sets out where we need to focus our collective energy first: life by life,” said UN humanitarian chief Tom Fletcher. – Humanitarians launch $33 billion appeal for 2026 | UN News
(Law and Crime Prevention) The world is witnessing an alarming erosion of respect for international law, with conflicts increasingly targeting civilians and heightening the risk of atrocity crimes, warns the United Nations’ newly appointed Special Adviser on the Prevention of Genocide. In his first interview since assuming the post in August, Chaloka Beyani reflected on the origins of his mandate, created by the UN Security Council in the wake of the genocides in Rwanda and Srebrenica, and drew sobering parallels with the crises unfolding today. “We are seeing massive violations of international human rights law, direct attacks on civilians, and blatant noncompliance with international humanitarian law,” Mr. Beyani told UN News recently. “The risk of atrocities, and the actual happening of atrocities, is very, very high.”. He cited the worsening violence in Sudan as one of the most urgent examples. The Darfur conflict, first investigated by a UN commission in the 1990s, continues to spiral decades later. “Nothing has changed,” he said. “The fall of the civilian government has only exacerbated the crisis.” – Global atrocity risks rising, warns new UN adviser on genocide prevention | UN News
(UN Affairs – UNRWA/Middle East) The UN agency that assists Palestine refugees, UNRWA, said that Israeli police raided its compound in East Jerusalem early on Monday, representing “a new challenge to international law.”. Israeli police accompanied by municipal officials forcibly entered the facility, UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini wrote on the social media platform X. Police motorcycles, trucks and forklifts were brought in and all communications were cut, he said, while furniture, IT equipment and other property were seized. The UN flag was pulled down and replaced with an Israeli flag. – UN strongly condemns Israel’s unauthorised entry of UNRWA compound in East Jerusalem | UN News
