UN News Today 03 February 2026 |

Ukraine: UNICEF ups generator distribution amid deadly surge in attacks on power grid

Amid ongoing attacks on energy infrastructure and freezing temperatures, the UN children’s agency (UNICEF) is ramping up its winter response to keep essential services running for children and families in Ukraine.

Since November 2025, UNICEF has delivered 106 mid and large capacity generators across Ukraine. 

An additional 149 generators will be deployed by UNICEF to support water utilities, district heating companies, and to provide back-up power for some of the most vulnerable. 

UNICEF’s Ukraine Representative said children and their families are in constant “survival mode”, as essential services across the country remain under severe strain.

Prolonged exposure to extreme cold can lead to hypothermia and exacerbate respiratory conditions – especially for children. 

To date, UNICEF has supported 1.2 million people through back-up power and repairs to water and heating infrastructure, as well as providing nearly 187,000 people – including 88,000 children – with winter cash assistance. 

Rafah crossing reopens, renewing hope for critically ill in Gaza

With the crucial Rafah crossing now partially open between Gaza and Egypt, time is running out for thousands of critically ill patients in the shattered enclave, the World Health Organization (WHO) warned on Tuesday.

The UN health agency said it was crucial that more countries step up and offer treatment for Gazans who are suffering from life-threatening injuries.

WHO spokesperson Christian Lindmeier said five patients have been successfully evacuated on Monday together with seven companions – the first medical transfers via Rafah, in months. 

More than 18,500 patients in Gaza still need specialised medical care which is unavailable in the Strip.

The situation is a “human disaster” noted the WHO spokesperson, highlighting that many patients have already died while awaiting transfer. 

“We know that patients have died, basically, waiting for evacuation. We need more and more countries to step up and help. These are the most vulnerable you can imagine in a medical condition that doesn’t find any support or any help inside Gaza”.

Satellite built by Mexican students launched into space

A satellite built by Mexican students was successfully deployed from International Space Station on Tuesday, as part of a programme led by the UN, and Japan’s national space agency. 

Students and professors from a university in the state of Puebla joined forces as part of the UN’s ‘Space for All’ initiative, aimed at broadening participation in space activities. 

The space probe is designed to monitor volcanic activity and ash dispersion, and boost disaster risk reduction efforts – particularly in densely populated cities. 

The programme helps to develop and deploy small satellites designed in developing countries, in collaboration with the International Space Station. 

This is the sixth launch, following the release of satellites from Kenya, Guatemala, Mauritius, Moldova and Indonesia. 

The Director of the UN’s outer space affairs office, UNOOSA, Aarti Holla-Maini, commended the team’s “tremendous accomplishment” and emphasised the need “to create more opportunities in enabling access to space, for all.”

Charlotte Frantz, UN News