Ukraine

In the Democratic Republic of the Congo, UN peacekeepers have established two mobile operating bases in the villages of Ofaye and Bakunvutu in Djugu territory, in the Ituri territory. These mobile bases will help peacekeepers to respond quickly to local threats posed by armed groups in the areas.

In Gaza, United Nations humanitarian colleagues warn that the already catastrophic conditions on the ground are deteriorating even further. The UN continues to receive reports of tents, schools, homes and medical facilities coming under attack, with scores of people killed or injured every single day.

In South Sudan, the World Food Programme (WFP) reports that they have begun airdropping emergency food assistance to thousands of people in the Upper Nile State, where surging conflict since March has pushed some communities to the brink of famine.

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

In Yemen, the two local water authorities in Taiz governorate reached a technical agreement to jointly manage the water supply systems, restoring essential services disrupted for nearly a decade amid conflict and institutional fragmentation.

A report today by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) notes that there has been a sharp increase in the number of Afghans returning in adverse circumstances from Iran. Over 640,000 Afghans have returned from Iran since the implementation of a return deadline by Tehran on 20 March.

In Ukraine, food insecurity remains a concern in front-line and border regions. A recent assessment by the World Food Programme (WFP) and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) found that the war has devastated livelihoods and quadrupled poverty levels, leaving those most vulnerable at greatest risk.

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.

A World Meteorological Organization (WMO) report notes that Asia is currently warming twice as fast as the global average. This is fuelling more extreme weather and taking a heavy toll on the region’s economies, ecosystems and societies.

The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) warns that the number of malnourished children in Gaza is rising at an alarming rate, with more than 5,100 children between 6 months and 5 years of age admitted for treatment for acute malnutrition in May alone.