On Saturday night, missile and drone attacks affected 10 regions: Chernihiv, Dnipro, Donetsk, Kharkiv, Kherson, Kirovohrad, Mykolaiv, Odesa, Poltava and Sumy.
Matthias Schmale, the country’s humanitarian coordinator, condemned the attacks and said that “civilians and civilian objects are fully protected by international humanitarian law and are not a target.”
Power outages in major cities
The attacks also disrupted electricity, heating and water supplies, making it even more difficult for vulnerable people to cope with the cold winter temperatures.
Energy and residential infrastructure was damaged in many regions, including Chernihiv, Odessa and Poltava, while major cities such as kyiv, Kharkiv and Odessa are experiencing power outages, with electricity available for only a few hours a day.
The UN and its partners quickly mobilized to provide emergency shelter materials, blankets, hygiene items, hot drinks and psychosocial support in several areas, OCHA said.
Philippines: Typhoon Fung-Wong displaces hundreds of thousands of people
The UN is supporting government-led efforts in the Philippines after Super Typhoon Fung-Wong, known locally as Uwan, hit northern Luzon on Sunday, causing mass evacuations and widespread disruption.
According to the aid coordination office, OCHA, more than 1.3 million people were evacuated in 13 of the country’s 18 regions before the storm made landfall, in one of the largest preventive operations ever carried out in the Philippines.
More than 480,000 people remain displaced and are taking refuge in some 6,000 evacuation centers.
The Government is leading the emergency response, with support from United Nations agencies and partners.
Early warnings that save lives
Cash assistance has already been distributed, and food, tents, hygiene kits and other supplies have been pre-positioned.
The World Food Program (WFP) said its teams were on alert and assessing needs in affected areas, with ready-to-eat meals and rice stocks prepared for distribution in coordination with national authorities.
UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator Arnaud Peral praised the Philippines’ rapid evacuations and early warning systems, saying they had “undoubtedly saved lives.”
OCHA warned that more intense typhoons like Fung-Wong are likely as climate change warms regional seas, underscoring the need for greater preparedness.
Demographic changes reshaping Europe and Central Asia
Europe is aging, while parts of Central Asia are experiencing a youth population surge, a demographic divide that could transform economies and societies across the region, according to a new UN report.
The analysis warns that Europe’s shrinking and aging workforce and low birth rates are putting pressure on health systems, pensions and labor markets, while Central Asia’s growing youth population offers opportunities and challenges if decent jobs and education can keep pace.
Employment Challenge
Experts say countries need to rethink how they prepare for the future: expanding access to quality jobs; encourage women, migrants and older people to participate in the workforce, and invest in lifelong learning and social protection.
The joint report, published by the International Labor Organization (ILO), the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), calls for stronger policies that make economies more inclusive and resilient.
Demographic change, he points out, is not just about numbers; It is about how societies adapt to ensure that everyone, regardless of age or background, can contribute to and benefit from growth.