News Links 8 February 2026

February 8, 2026

North Korea

UN Exemptions Agreed on Aid to North Korean Children - The UN Security Council Sanctions Committee unanimously approved exemptions for 17 humanitarian projects in North Korea that had been pending since early 2025. The projects include UNICEF programs and initiatives by NGOs from South Korea, the United States and other countries. Wide-reaching sanctions adopted in 2006 had banned transfer of items included in aid packages, blocking essential assistance from reaching vulnerable populations. The exemption allows fresh humanitarian aid to reach North Korean families and children who have been cut off from international support.

Afghanistan

UNICEF Warns of Education Scam -  UNICEF has warned that fake advertisements claiming to offer educational services in Afghanistan are circulating on social media with no connection to the organization. The agency emphasized it does not conduct recruitment, training courses or registration programs through such advertisements, and urged Afghan families to only use official channels and avoid sharing money or personal information with unreliable sources. Unknown individuals previously attempted to sell fake registrations for humanitarian aid while claiming UNICEF affiliation.

Gaza

37 Children Killed in January Alone - At least 37 Palestinian children have been killed in Gaza since January 1, according to UNICEF Spokesperson James Elder.  In an earlier mid-January report Elder indicated that up to that point over 100 children—60 boys and 40 girls—had been killed since the ceasefire took effect, through airstrikes, drone attacks, tank shelling and live ammunition. 

Sudan

Darfur Aid Hard-Won and Fragile - Reaching a single child in Sudan's Darfur region can take days of negotiations, security clearances and travel across sandy roads that cut through shifting frontlines. Eva Hinds, UNICEF's Chief of Communications, described witnessing over 500,000 people sheltering in Tawila in makeshift shelters built from sticks, hay and plastic sheeting. Despite insecurity and logistical hurdles, UNICEF and partners vaccinated more than 140,000 children in two weeks, treated thousands for illness and malnutrition, restored safe water to tens of thousands, and opened temporary classrooms.