The UN and its partners continue to push for restrictions on educational supplies, including stationery, to be lifted so that more children can return to learning.
Aid workers also continue to help people affected by the recent deadly winter storms that hit the Gaza Strip. More than 200 tents were distributed to families this week, along with thousands of tarps, blankets, warm clothing, cooking and serving utensils, as well as solar lights.
Across Gaza, more than one million people still need housing assistance and durable housing solutions, including repairs to damaged homes.
Guterres in London for the 80th anniversary of the first meeting of the UN General Assembly
UN Secretary General António Guterres arrived in London on Friday where he will participate in a special event to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the first meeting of the General Assembly, held in the capital of the United Kingdom in 1946.
The Secretary-General held talks with Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and thanked him for the UK’s continued support for multilateralism and its active role in the United Nations.
The two leaders discussed the war in Ukraine, Sudan, the Middle East and UN reform, among other topics.
The Secretary-General also met with the Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, and their conversations focused on the role of cities in tackling climate change.
On Saturday, the Secretary-General will deliver the keynote address at the United Nations Association of the United Kingdom (UNA-UK) conference, which will take place at Methodist Central Hall in London, where the first meeting of the General Assembly was held.
UN Deputy Spokesperson Farhan Haq previewed his comments – titled ‘UNGA in its 80th term: from 1946 to our future’ – during the regular press conference at the New York headquarters.
“The Secretary-General is expected to say that as we want the world to be more just, it is essential that the international system reflects the current reality, including the push to update the Security Council and reform the unjust and unjust international financial architecture,” Haq told reporters.
“It will say that at a time when the values of multilateralism are being undermined, the world needs civil society movements everywhere that are courageous and persistent and that make it impossible for leaders to look the other way.”
Venezuela: One in four people needs humanitarian assistance
Aid workers continue to deliver aid across Venezuela, including food, school meals, medical care and psychosocial support, the UN aid coordination office, OCHA, said in an update on Friday.
Years of turmoil have left many families without reliable support and one in four people are in need of humanitarian assistance.
The UN and its partners continue to coordinate with authorities, monitor needs across the country and inform people about humanitarian services available to them.
OCHA urged donors to continue supporting aid efforts in the country, noting that the 2026 humanitarian response plan for Venezuela calls for just over $600 million.
In 2025, the response plan received only 17 percent funding, one of the lowest in the world.