Syria, Gaza, Sudan & other topics - Daily Press Briefing (21 January 2026) | United Nations

Noon briefing by Farhan Haq, Deputy Spokesperson for the Secretary-General. Highlights: Syria Occupied Palestinian Territories Deputy Secretary-General/Travels Sudan Mozambique Bangladesh Security Council Global Foreign Investment Honour Roll SYRIA In response to questions about the situation in Syria, the Deputy Spokesperson said that we are closely monitoring developments on the ground and reiterate that the protection of civilians must remain paramount. All parties have a clear responsibility to avoid actions that could endanger civilians, inflame tensions, or trigger further displacement. The Secretary-General urges all parties to sustain de-escalation, uphold the ceasefire, and implement the details of the latest understanding without delay and in a spirit of compromise, with full respect for the rights, safety, and dignity of all communities. OCCUPIED PALESTINIAN TERRITORY As Gaza remains in the grip of winter, another hypothermia-related child death was reported by the Gaza Ministry of Health yesterday. This brings the total number of reported deaths linked to cold weather this season to nine. Once again, the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs calls for urgent solutions, including allowing the entry of batteries, solar panels and other energy sources that are needed to set up communal heating spaces.  Our food security partners have reached more 860,000 people so far this month with food packages distributed through 50 distribution points across the Strip. We also continue to provide some 1.6 million hot meals every day to people in need.   On the health front, our partners vaccinated 3,000 children in the first two days of the 10-day vaccination campaign which began on Sunday. The campaign aims to further protect children under three from vaccine-preventable diseases.  And on Monday, the World Health Organization facilitated another medical evacuation of 21 patients and their companions to Jordan. However, more than 18,000 patients, including 4,000 children, remain on the list of people to be evacuated to receive medical care that is not available in Gaza. WHO called on more Member States to accept these patients and for the re-opening of the medical evacuation route to the West Bank, including East Jerusalem.   Most of the people in Gaza continue to be uprooted, with some 1.3 million people estimated to be spread over 970 sites across Gaza – the majority of them in the cities of Deir al Balah and Khan Younis.   Our partners working on water, sanitation and hygiene warn that approximately 70 per cent of Gaza City’s total water production is currently disrupted, due to challenges related to repairing the Mekorot water supply line. The line comes from Israel into Gaza and is located east of the so-called “Yellow Line,” where Israeli forces remain deployed.   An assessment of the pipeline identified the need for a section of steel pipe that is not available in Gaza and is restricted from entry into Gaza as a “dual use” item. A request that one of our partners made to repair the Safa well, another important water source for Gaza City, was denied by the Israeli authorities on Sunday.   Our partners are looking at alternative water sources and scaling up water trucking to ensure continued access to safe water. OCHA reiterates the need for expanded access, including to critical items deemed as “dual use,” without which improvements to the most basic of services – such as access to safe water – will not happen.   DEPUTY SECRETARY-GENERAL/TRAVELS The Deputy Secretary-General, Amina Mohammed, is departing Switzerland later today and will continue to Copenhagen, Denmark, where she will deliver a keynote address to the Danish Parliament on the topic “The Future of the United Nations in a Turbulent World”. During her visit, she will also meet with senior government officials on the UN–Denmark partnership and discuss pathways to advance the 2030 Agenda. Following her visit to Copenhagen, the Deputy Secretary-General will also travel to France, where she will participate in the International Day of Education event organized by UNESCO on Friday 23 January. The event is focused on the role of youth in co-creating education systems that are inclusive, resilient, and fit for the future and will build on the outcomes of the Transforming Education Summit, highlighting the importance of youth leadership and partnership in advancing education reform. During her visit, she will also meet with senior government officials and other stakeholders. Full Highlights: https://www.un.org/sg/en/content/noon-briefing-highlight?date=2026-01-21


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