UN Noon Briefing: Ukraine Crisis, Sudan Conflict, Yemen Peace Talks & More (January 13, 2026)

Ukraine Humanitarian Crisis

• 💡 The 2026 Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan for Ukraine was launched, seeking $2.3 billion to aid over 4 million people.
• ⚠️ Nearly 11 million people in Ukraine require humanitarian assistance, with widespread disruptions to electricity and heating exacerbating the crisis during cold winter conditions.
• 📍 Humanitarian needs are most severe in front-line and northern border areas due to intensified shelling and destruction of civilian infrastructure.
• ❄️ Attacks across Ukraine have resulted in civilian casualties and service disruptions amid freezing temperatures, with Odesa experiencing damage to residential buildings and UN facilities.
• 📉 Rolling power outages persist, and some areas, including Kyiv, remain without heating as temperatures drop to -15°C.

Security Council Briefing on Ukraine

• 🎤 Under-Secretary-General Rosemary DiCarlo briefed the Security Council, noting large-scale aerial assaults by the Russian Federation causing significant destruction and suffering.
• ⚖️ Attacks against civilians and infrastructure violate international humanitarian law, and the Secretary-General reiterated calls for an immediate, unconditional ceasefire.
• 🤝 OCHA's Director of Coordination emphasized the need for concrete action beyond statements to reduce civilian harm and ensure humanitarian support.

Sudan Conflict and Displacement

• 🚨 The OCHA expressed alarm over continuing harm to civilians and displacement as fighting escalates in Sudan.
• 💔 Reports indicate at least 19 civilians killed in North Darfur and 10 killed in a drone attack in Sinar state.
• 🌍 Over 8,000 people were displaced from villages in North Darfur, with some fleeing to Chad.
• 📈 Severe acute malnutrition rates in North Darfur exceed WHO emergency thresholds, reaching 53% in Umbaru.
• 🕊️ A call was made for all parties to protect civilians, respect international humanitarian law, and ensure sustained humanitarian access.
• ✈️ The High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Turk, is scheduled to visit Sudan from January 14-18.

South Sudan Humanitarian Appeal

• 🆘 The 2026 humanitarian appeal for South Sudan was launched, requesting $1.5 billion to assist 4.3 million people.
• 📊 An estimated 10 million people, including refugees, will need humanitarian aid in South Sudan this year.
• 📉 Conflict, climate shocks, disease outbreaks, economic challenges, and spillover from Sudan continue to drive humanitarian needs.
• 🍲 Over 7.5 million people are projected to face food insecurity during the lean season.

Yemen Peace Process and Detainees

• 🤝 The Special Envoy Hans Grundberg met with Omani officials and Ansar Allah's chief negotiator to discuss pathways for political dialogue and the release of conflict-related detainees.
• ⚖️ The arbitrary detention of 73 UN staff by the Houthis, some since 2021, was raised, with calls for their immediate and unconditional release.
• 📢 Grundberg will brief the Security Council on Yemen.

Syria and Occupied Palestinian Territory

• 🏠 In Syria, nearly 120,000 people remain displaced following recent hostilities in Aleppo, with gradual improvements in access to public services.
• 🇵🇸 In the Occupied Palestinian Territory, the Humanitarian Coordinator visited Gaza, meeting displaced families and supporting local food production.
• ⚠️ Harsh weather conditions in Gaza are taking a heavy toll on civilians, damaging shelters and leading to cases of hypothermia and building collapses.
• 🆘 Humanitarian partners are distributing emergency supplies, but needs continue to outpace available resources.

UNIFIL and Myanmar

• 🛡️ UN peacekeepers in southern Lebanon issued statements regarding attacks on UN personnel, calling them a serious violation of resolution 1701.
• 💥 UNIFIL peacekeepers observed Israeli tanks firing shells near their position, with no injuries reported.
• ⚠️ In Myanmar, intense clashes and air strikes have caused civilian casualties and displacement in the Sagaing region and Chin State.
• 💰 Humanitarian partners continue to deliver aid despite funding shortfalls and access challenges, with the 2026 plan calling for $890 million.

Iran Protests and International Response

• 🗣️ The UN is concerned about the number of people killed in protests in Iran, though exact figures are hard to verify.
• ⚖️ The Secretary-General has repeatedly raised the human rights situation in Iran with officials and has seen coverage of the events.
• 🇺🇳 The UN has a team on the ground in Iran focused on development and humanitarian work, but no dedicated human rights presence.
• 🚫 The UN encourages a path of dialogue and diplomacy, expressing concern over increased military-like rhetoric surrounding the situation.

Other Topics

• 🇮🇱 The UN Secretary-General's letter to Prime Minister Netanyahu concerning UNRWA staff was a reaffirmation of responsibilities, not a threat.
• ❓ The UN is aware of disturbing reports of alleged abuses by Syrian government forces in Aleppo and stresses the need for accountability.
• 🚢 Regarding a reported US attack on a boat in the Caribbean, the UN emphasizes the imperative to observe international law on the high seas during drug trafficking interdictions.