UN Jan 26th, 2026: UN Urges Rule of Law, Details Global Crises as Gaza Access, Syria Violence and Funding Gaps Dominate

By ATN News Team

UNHQ, New York: The United Nations on Monday used its daily press briefing to deliver a sweeping snapshot of global crises, while also revealing the tone of a room balancing urgency, realism and procedural limits.

Spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric opened by relaying Secretary-General António Guterres’s remarks to the Security Council earlier in the day, warning that the “rule of law is being replaced by the rule of the jungle” in multiple conflicts, from Gaza and Ukraine to Myanmar and the Sahel. Guterres reiterated that the Council’s authority derives from the UN Charter and argued that its credibility now depends on reform to make it more representative and effective.

The message set the frame for a briefing that mixed diplomatic language with blunt humanitarian data.

Gaza and the Rafah Question

Much of the room’s attention centered on Gaza, where the UN welcomed reports that the remains of Israeli hostage Ran Gvili had been recovered and again called for full implementation of the ceasefire agreement, including the release of all hostages and sustained humanitarian access.

Dujarric stressed that the UN is ready to scale up aid through the Rafah crossing but noted that the organization does not control when or how it opens. He emphasized that meaningful access would require both humanitarian and commercial cargo to move, and that civilians must be allowed freedom of movement consistent with international law.

The exchange underscored a familiar dynamic in the room: journalists seeking clarity on timelines and mechanics, the spokesperson outlining readiness and principles while acknowledging that key decisions lie with the parties on the ground.

On conditions inside Gaza, UN agencies described continued displacement, unsafe shelters and exposure to winter weather. OCHA reported that families are living along unstable coastal cliffs, with recent landslides causing fatalities. Restrictions on heavy equipment continue to slow debris removal and reconstruction.

In East Jerusalem, a fire broke out at the former UNRWA headquarters, days after Israeli authorities carried out demolitions at the same compound. UNRWA warned that its Kalandia Training Centre, serving around 350 students, faces closure under recent Israeli legislation. OCHA reported that more than 37,000 Palestinians were displaced in the West Bank in 2025 and that settler attacks exceeded 1,800 incidents, the highest annual figure recorded by the UN.

Syria: Aid Delivered, Violence Questioned

The UN confirmed that a 24-truck convoy delivered food, medical supplies and fuel to Kobani, following the announcement of a 15-day ceasefire and the opening of humanitarian corridors. Agencies reported calm conditions in Al Hol camp during a weekend visit, with local authorities expressing intent to stabilize the situation.

Journalists raised concerns about reports of ethnically targeted killings against Kurdish civilians. Dujarric said such reports were “extremely concerning” and stressed that the authorities bear responsibility for protecting all civilians and investigating abuses. While acknowledging limits to on-the-ground verification from New York, he noted that the issue had been raised repeatedly with Syrian counterparts.

Afghanistan: Women’s Rights Raised Directly

Under-Secretary-General Rosemary DiCarlo’s visit to Kabul featured prominently. The UN said she urged de facto authorities to lift restrictions on women’s work, education and public life and encouraged fuller engagement in the Doha Process. The briefing reflected cautious continuity rather than breakthrough: engagement will continue, but progress will be measured by changes on the ground.

Africa: Funding Cuts and Growing Risks

In Somalia, the UN launched a $852 million humanitarian appeal for 2026, targeting 2.4 million people, less than half of those in need. Officials were explicit that the lower target reflects donor constraints, not reduced suffering. Last year’s plan was funded at only 27 percent.

South Sudan’s UN mission warned of potential large-scale military operations in Jonglei and rising hate speech inflaming ethnic tensions. In Sudan, displacement in Kordofan continues, with more than 65,000 uprooted since October. At the same time, agencies reported scaled-up vaccinations and water access in parts of Darfur, illustrating both the scale of need and the impact of limited gains.

Ukraine: Winter Strikes Deepen Hardship

The UN condemned recent attacks on critical infrastructure in Ukraine, reporting damage to hospitals, residential buildings and heating systems across multiple regions. Some 6,000 buildings in Kyiv lost heating during the latest wave. Humanitarian partners are distributing winter supplies and operating heating centers, but the funding gap remains significant, with $2.3 billion needed this year to assist more than four million people.

Climate, Appointments and a Lighter Note

Marking the International Day of Clean Energy, Guterres warned that the world is heading toward a temporary overshoot of 1.5 degrees Celsius and called for tripling renewable energy capacity by 2030.

The UN also announced the appointment of Hanaa Singer Hamdy of Egypt as the new Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Mali.

The briefing closed with the customary “Honour Roll,” recognizing Singapore, Slovakia and the United Arab Emirates for paying their UN dues in full, a moment that briefly shifted the room’s tone.

The Room’s Atmosphere

The mood in the room followed a familiar rhythm. Reporters pushed for clearer answers and sharper detail. Dujarric responded calmly, direct where he could be, careful where he had to be, and open about what he did not yet know. There was no hostility in the exchange, but there was persistence, with questions returning again and again to access, credibility and the UN’s ability to deliver. What emerged was a picture of an organization stretched by global crises, yet still trying to hold its line and project steadiness in the middle of pressure.