The UN suspends movements in Yemen following more staff detentions. UNICEF reports 242 million children affected by climate crises in 2024. Nigeria’s humanitarian plan aims to assist 3.6 million people impacted by conflict and climate change.
The United Nations has announced a suspension of all official movements in Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen following the recent detention of additional UN personnel. This decision was communicated by Julien Harneis, the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Yemen, amid ongoing security concerns that jeopardize humanitarian operations in the region. The Houthis released a previously detained crew of a merchant ship earlier this week, leading to hopes for the release of over 60 detained UN staff members.
The conflict in Yemen continues to evolve, with the Houthis opposing the internationally-recognized Government in a protracted struggle for control that has persisted for more than a decade. Mr. Harneis stressed the necessity of ensuring the security of all UN staff while confirming that the suspension of movements will last until further developments arise. The UN is in continued discussions with Houthi representatives to secure the release of detained personnel.
According to a recent UNICEF report, extreme climate events disrupted the education of at least 242 million children in 85 countries in 2024. This worrying figure coincides with the International Day of Education, emphasizing the impact of climate crises on global learning. Natural disasters such as heatwaves and floods have exacerbated the already critical global education crisis, affecting one in seven students worldwide.
In South Asia alone, approximately 128 million students faced disruptions due to climate-related incidents, with East Asia and the Pacific region witnessing 50 million affected students. The report indicates that heatwaves were the most significant hazard impacting education, with approximately 171 million students affected globally in 2024.
In Nigeria, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) has launched a humanitarian appeal aiming to assist 3.6 million individuals severely affected by conflict and climate change in the northeastern states of Borno, Adamawa, and Yobe. This initiative seeks to provide health services, food, water, sanitation, and hygiene services as part of a comprehensive $910 million aid effort.
Finding viable funding remains a challenge, prompting OCHA to focus on optimizing available resources, enhancing local assistance delivery, and transitioning to cash and voucher support where applicable. The plan also includes preventive measures to mitigate the effects of floods and disease outbreaks, ensuring better protection and support for vulnerable communities in Nigeria.
The situation in Yemen has been complicated by a protracted conflict involving the Houthi movement and the internationally-recognized Government. The UN operates under significant constraints due to security challenges, which have worsened with the detention of several UN staff members. In parallel, the educational landscape is disrupted globally as climate change exacerbates existing vulnerabilities, as delineated in UNICEF’s alarming findings. Nigeria’s humanitarian response underscores ongoing crises fueled by conflict and climate-related challenges, necessitating large-scale support for affected populations.
The UN’s suspension of movements in Yemen underscores the deteriorating security situation for humanitarian workers amid ongoing conflict. Concurrently, the impact of climate crises on education is stark, affecting millions of children globally, particularly in low-income regions. In Nigeria, the humanitarian appeal seeks to address critical needs amid a combination of conflict and climate challenges, highlighting the urgent need for sustained international support.
Original Source: news.un.org
