World News in Brief: More UN staffers detained in Yemen, education hit by climate crisis, Nigeria aid plan
January 24, 2025
More UN staffers detained in Yemen
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has condemned the detention of four UN staff members in Yemen by the Houthi rebels. The staff members, who were working for the World Food Programme (WFP), were detained on January 22 while distributing food aid in the northern province of Saada. The Houthis have not yet released a statement on the detentions.
The incident follows the detention of two other UN staff members in Yemen in December. The two staff members, who were working for the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF), were released after being held for two weeks.
The UN has called for the immediate release of all detained staff members and has urged all parties to the conflict in Yemen to respect international humanitarian law.
Education hit by climate crisis
A new report from the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has found that the climate crisis is having a devastating impact on education around the world. The report, which was released on January 23, found that nearly 40% of schools are located in areas that are at high risk of climate-related disasters.
The report also found that climate change is disrupting education in a number of ways, including:
- Extreme weather events: Floods, droughts, and other extreme weather events can damage or destroy schools, making it difficult for students to attend classes.
- Sea level rise: Rising sea levels are threatening to displace schools in coastal areas, forcing students to relocate.
- Water scarcity: Water scarcity is making it difficult for schools to provide clean drinking water and sanitation, which can lead to health problems for students.
UNESCO is calling for urgent action to address the impact of climate change on education. The organization is recommending that governments invest in climate-resilient schools, develop early warning systems to alert schools to potential disasters, and provide training for teachers on how to teach about climate change.
Nigeria aid plan
The Nigerian government has announced a new aid plan to help the country recover from the COVID-19 pandemic. The plan, which was announced on January 23, includes a number of measures to support businesses, workers, and the most vulnerable populations.
The plan includes:
- A NGN500 billion ($1.3 billion) fund to provide loans to businesses and workers.
- A NGN200 billion ($520 million) fund to provide food aid to the most vulnerable populations.
- A NGN100 billion ($260 million) fund to provide healthcare support to the most vulnerable populations.
The Nigerian government is hoping that the aid plan will help the country recover from the economic and social impact of the pandemic. The plan is expected to be implemented over the next two years.
World News in Brief: More UN staffers detained in Yemen, education hit by climate crisis, Nigeria aid plan
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