UN News Today 08 December 2025 |

UN chief condemns deadly drone strikes in Sudan’s Kordofan

As Sudan’s civil war continues to intensify, top UN officials have condemned the killing of dozens of children in drone strikes in South Kordofan state.

According to reports, first responders were also targeted while trying to help the wounded.

In a statement issued by his Spokesperson, UN Secretary-General António Guterres said that he was appalled that the 4 December strikes had hit a children’s nursery and a hospital in Kalogi.

According to the head of UN World Health Organization, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the hospital had been targeted at least three times, killing 114 people including 63 children.

Aid agencies continue to warn that the situation across Sudan remains catastrophic for millions caught up in heavy fighting between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the paramilit ary Rapid Support Forces (RSF).

Humanitarians launch $33 billion appeal for 2026

The UN and partners issued an appeal on Monday for $33 billion to provide lifesaving support to tens of millions of the world’s most vulnerable people.

Leading the call for funding, the UN’s top aid official, Tom Fletcher, noted that a quarter of a billion people urgently need humanitarian assistance, while support for aid work is at its lowest level in a decade:

“Our priority for 2026 is to save 87 million lives. The plan includes 29 more detailed plans covering 50 countries. This includes $4 billion to reach three million across the Occupied Palestinian Territories, $2.8 billion for 20 million people in Sudan – the world’s largest displacement crisis – and $2 billion for the seven million Sudanese forced to flee. It includes $1.4 billion to save 4.9 million lives in Myanmar and those fleeing the crisis there. And much, much more.”

Mr. Fletcher noted that despite the challenges facing aid teams and agencies, 98 million people received help last year.

He said that he took heart from the conviction that so many leaders have including President Trump, that 2026 will be a year of peace-making, offering a chance to save lives where the shocks hit hardest – ranging from wars, climate disasters and earthquakes to epidemics and crop failures.

UNRWA condemns search of Jerusalem headquarters by Israeli officials

Finally, to occupied East Jerusalem where the UN agency for Palestinians, UNRWA, has condemned the forcible entry and search of its premises by Israeli police.

UNRWA chief Philippe Lazzarini said that the raid had left communications cut and equipment seized, in what he called a grave breach of international law.

Witnesses also reported that the UN flag had been taken down and replaced with an Israeli one, Mr. Lazzarini noted . He warned that this could set a dangerous precedent for UN operations worldwide.

With more, here’s UNRWA spokesperson Jonathan Fowler:

“Whatever action that’s taken domestically, this compound retains its status as a UN premises. I really want to emphasize that. And it’s immune from any form of interference.”

UNRWA personnel were forced to vacate the compound at the beginning of this year after the Israeli parliament passed legislation banning the agency from operating in its territory – and prohibiting Israeli officials from having any contact with it.

Daniel Johnson, UN News.