Rising conflict, humanitarian emergencies and growing concerns over critical digital infrastructure dominated recent discussions involving United Nations agencies and global leaders, with crises unfolding from South Sudan to Pakistan and new efforts launched to safeguard global communications networks.
Fighting In South Sudan Displaces Thousands
Renewed violence in South Sudan’s Jonglei state has triggered a large-scale humanitarian crisis, forcing at least 250,000 people to flee their homes since the beginning of 2026.
The clashes, concentrated in northern and central parts of the state, have left families cut off from basic services in regions already struggling with some of the country’s worst malnutrition rates.
UNICEF warned that the situation poses a grave threat to children, many of whom are already suffering from severe food shortages.
“We are extremely concerned for women and children impacted by these violent clashes,” said UNICEF’s country representative in South Sudan, Noala Skinner. “A malnourished child without treatment is 12 times more likely to die.”
Humanitarian agencies face major obstacles in reaching affected communities. Movement by road, river and air remains heavily restricted, making it difficult to deliver emergency assistance.
Several areas are running dangerously low on therapeutic food used to treat severely malnourished children. Six counties in Jonglei are close to exhausting these supplies.
Across the country, at least 17 health facilities have been forced to shut down due to insecurity, further weakening an already fragile healthcare system.
UNICEF has also reported ten incidents in which health and nutrition supplies were looted.
Despite the challenges, aid workers continue to deliver support where possible. The organisation has sent water purification equipment to prevent potential cholera outbreaks and delivered malaria treatment kits, emergency medical supplies and therapeutic food intended to reach more than 10,000 people.
UN Condemns Deadly Attacks In Pakistan
Meanwhile, the United Nations has strongly condemned a series of violent attacks in Pakistan’s southwestern province of Balochistan that left dozens of people dead, including children.
UNICEF expressed deep concern after reports confirmed that children were among those killed or injured during the attacks last weekend.
“Children cannot be targets nor collateral damage, and their lives must always be protected,” said UNICEF representative in Pakistan Pernille Ironside.
She extended condolences to the victims’ families and warned that escalating violence is creating fear and insecurity among communities.
The attacks took place on January 31 and were later condemned by the UN Security Council.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, council members described the violence as “heinous and cowardly” acts of terrorism that resulted in the deaths of 48 people, including 31 civilians.
Among the civilian victims were five women and three children.
Authorities say the attacks were claimed by the Balochistan Liberation Army, a separatist militant group. Local officials later told reporters that security forces killed 145 members of the banned organisation in subsequent operations.
The Security Council expressed its deepest sympathy to the victims’ families and to the government and people of Pakistan, while wishing those injured a full recovery.
Global Summit Focuses On Submarine Cable Security
In a separate development, governments and industry representatives from more than 70 countries gathered in Porto, Portugal, to address growing concerns over the security and resilience of submarine communication cables.
These undersea cables carry the majority of the world’s digital traffic and form the backbone of global internet connectivity.
During the International Submarine Cable Resilience Summit 2026, participants adopted a declaration aimed at strengthening international cooperation to protect the network.
Today roughly 500 submarine cables stretch across more than 1.7 million kilometres of ocean floor, linking continents and supporting the global digital economy.
ITU Secretary-General Doreen Bogdan-Martin said safeguarding these systems is a shared responsibility.
“When it comes to critical digital infrastructure like submarine cables, resilience is both an end-to-end imperative and a shared responsibility,” she said.
Participants also discussed ways to improve repair times, strengthen monitoring systems and increase investment in infrastructure protection.
Protecting Connectivity For Vulnerable Regions
Experts at the summit warned that cable disruptions can have serious consequences, particularly for smaller countries and remote island communities that rely on only a few connections to the global network.
Sandra Maximiano, chairwoman of Portugal’s telecommunications regulator ANACOM, said international cooperation would be key to reducing the risks.
“I firmly believe the advisory body is already delivering concrete and meaningful impact,” she said, pointing to ongoing efforts to improve preparedness and response capabilities.
The Porto meeting followed the first global summit on submarine cable resilience held in Abuja, Nigeria, as governments and technology leaders seek stronger collaboration to protect one of the world’s most critical digital systems.
