Today's top news: Occupied Palestinian Territory, Ukraine, Venezuela
#Occupied Palestinian Territory
More children return to classrooms in Gaza as UN pushes for lifting supply restrictions
OCHA says that the UN and its partners continue to try to get more children back to school.
Ten additional temporary learning sites in the Gaza Governorate have been renovated so far this month. Overall, more than 440 spaces are now operational, serving some 270,000 students with the help of more than 6,300 teachers.
The UN and its partners again call for the lifting of restrictions on education supplies, including stationery, so that more children can receive educations.
The UN and its partners also continue to support people affected by the recent winter storms. This week, more than 200 tents were distributed to families, alongside thousands of tarpaulins, blankets, warm clothes, cooking and serving utensils, and solar lights.
As a reminder, more than one million people across the Strip still urgently need shelter assistance and durable shelter solutions, including repairs to damaged homes and emergency shelter kits.
*Donations made to UN Crisis Relief help UN agencies and humanitarian NGOs reach people in Gaza with urgent support.
#Ukraine
Strikes batter energy infrastructure, deepening winter hardship
OCHA reports that attacks on energy infrastructure continued yesterday and today, leaving civilians to endure even greater hardship in the freezing winter.
Between yesterday and this morning, front-line hostilities and attacks across the country killed several civilians and injured more than 20 others, including a child, according to Ukrainian authorities. Energy facilities and civilian infrastructure were also damaged, including hospitals.
Nationwide scheduled and emergency power outages continue as nighttime temperatures plunge to –15°C.
The Government has declared an energy emergency.
In the capital Kyiv, around 130 apartment buildings remain without heating, and scheduled power outages continue across all residential districts. Schools have been instructed to extend winter holidays until 1 February, with similar decisions expected elsewhere.
Humanitarian partners continue to support communities and provide aid, including hot meals, heater and charging stations, but additional assistance is urgently needed.
*OCHA footage and soundbites from Ukraine are available here and here.
#Venezuela
UN, partners support most vulnerable people as one in four need assistance
OCHA reports that the UN and its partners continue to deliver aid – including food, school meals, health care and psychosocial support – across Venezuela.
The UN and its partners continue to coordinate with authorities, monitor humanitarian needs nationwide and inform people about the humanitarian services available to them.
Years of turmoil have left many families without reliable support. One in four people in Venezuela need humanitarian assistance.
OCHA calls on donors to keep support flowing for life-saving aid. This year’s Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan calls for just over $600 million. In 2025, the response plan was only 17% funded, one of the lowest globally.
*Donations made to UN Crisis Relief help UN agencies and humanitarian NGOs reach people in Venezuela with urgent support.