Qatar

In Sudan, humanitarian officials report that the situation in North Darfur remains catastrophic, with ongoing attacks against civilians. The International Organization for Migration now estimate that at least 62,000 people have been displaced from El Fasher and surrounding areas.

Israel’s attack on Doha on 9 September potentially opens “a new and perilous chapter” in an already devastating conflict, the United Nations top political affairs official warned today at a Security Council meeting, where delegates also heard from the Prime Minister of Qatar and other senior Government representatives from the region.

The following Security Council press statement was issued today by Council President Sangjin Kim (Republic of Korea):

Before presenting a UN report on global military spending, the Secretary-General said he had just learned about the Israeli attacks in Qatar. He condemned this flagrant violation of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Qatar. All parties must work towards achieving a permanent ceasefire, not destroying it, he said.

The Office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees estimates 2.5 million refugees worldwide will need to be resettled in 2026, down from 2.9 million in 2025, even as the global number of refugees continues growing. This is mainly due to the changed situation in Syria, which has allowed for voluntary returns.

The following statement was issued today by the Spokesman for UN Secretary-General António Guterres:

In Myanmar, the United Nations continues to follow closely the situation in Rakhine State, which is worsening the vulnerabilities of all communities in one of the country’s poorest regions.

On his way from Germany to Ethiopia, the plane carrying Secretary-General António Guterres and his team was diverted to Greece due to a technical fault. The Secretary-General was unable to attend the African Union Summit and proceeded to Doha the following day, 17 February, to host the follow-up meeting of Special Envoys on Afghanistan.

Following a surge of hostilities in Ukraine over the weekend, humanitarian organizations have provided materials for emergency repairs to houses. Meanwhile, the UN and its partners are addressing the impact of oil spillage on water sources in Kharkiv after a strike on an oil storage facility in that area on 9 February.

The United Nations Secretary-General, António Guterres, arrived in Doha, Qatar, from New York on Saturday evening, 9 December.