A convoy of WFP trucks carrying food aid in South Sudan. Top news of the day | Friday: Ukraine, Haiti, South Sudan, UN Secretary General UN
The main news of the day in the UN and in the world: The UN High Commissioner for Refugees visited Ukraine, Haitian children are being recruited by armed gangs, Tom Fletcher arrived in South Sudan, the Secretary General ends his visit to India and heads to Switzerland.
Humanitarian assistance to Ukrainians
UN High Commissioner for Refugees Barham Saleh today called on the international community to strengthen support for the people of Ukraine. He visited the country as the fourth anniversary of the start of the full-scale invasion approaches and attacks intensify during the worst winter period in several years. In Kyiv and front-line cities, Saleh met with victims and government officials, and also got acquainted with the operations of the UN Refugee Agency to support internally displaced persons. The agency needs $470 million in 2026 to help more than two million Ukrainians.
Violence against children in Haiti
Haiti has recorded an “alarming increase” in the number of children being drawn into gang activity, the UN says. Armed groups control large parts of the capital Port-au-Prince and other parts of the country. Families face deepening poverty and more children are becoming susceptible to recruitment. Girls are at increased risk, including sexual exploitation and rape. A new report from the UN office in Haiti highlights the need to strengthen child protection systems, restore access to education and implement programs to prevent recruitment.
The situation in South Sudan
UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs Tom Fletcher arrived in South Sudan. He intends to put an under-attended crisis on the global agenda and push for increased international support. Within five days he will assess the situation on the ground. Upon arrival, Fletcher visited Malakal in Upper Nile state, where he met with local residents and citizens returning from neighboring Sudan. A trip to Jonglei state, where violence has recently escalated, is also planned. During the visit, Fletcher will meet with local workers providing assistance on the front lines of the crisis.
AI Summit
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres concludes his visit to India, where today he held a panel discussion on the sidelines AI Impact Summit on the role of science, he noted that the speed of technology development is outpacing the global community’s ability to fully comprehend it. The Secretary General also held meetings with Indian leaders and took part in a round table organized by the UN, where renewable energy issues were discussed. Guterres will head to Geneva, Switzerland, over the weekend. On Monday, he will speak at the opening session of the Human Rights Council and take part in the high-level segment of the Conference on Disarmament.