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Humanitarian Aid

Two years after the Syria and Turkiye earthquakes: Supporting Relief efforts

On Monday, 6 February 2023, a devastating 7.8 magnitude earthquake struck near the border of T¨¹rkiye and Syria, causing one of the worst disasters to hit the region in recent times. The earthquake killed tens of thousands of people and injured many more. Thousands of buildings collapsed, exposing countless people to harsh winter conditions. As the UN continues to work to assist millions of people every month, you can help by donating to the or by supporting the UN agencies working on the relief efforts.

UN teams in Syria are on the ground providing lifesaving assistance to impacted children and families
Photo:? UNICEF/UN0781585/Al-Asadi

8 February 2025 ¡ª In a significant move towards eliminating Syria¡¯s chemical weapons programme, the head of the UN-backed international watchdog dedicated to ending the scourge has been visiting...

7 February 2025 ¡ª The head of UN Palestine refugee agency UNRWA underscored its commitment to assist a population whose rights ¡°continue to be violated¡±.?

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7 February 2025 ¡ª UN human rights chief Volker T¨¹rk?on Friday?expressed profound concerns at the ongoing violent escalation in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo?(DRC)?caused by the ongoing...

UN Sustainable Development Goals

17 Goals to transform our world

The Sustainable Development Goals are a call for action by all countries — poor, rich and middle-income — to promote prosperity while protecting the planet.

hands holding megaphone and speech bubble

ActNow is the UN campaign to inspire people to act for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). In the lead up to the Summit of the Future, join the 1 Million Actions for our Common Future challenge to contribute to a more sustainable and peaceful world. Find new inspiring actions on and at .

Thomas the Tank engine

Learn more about the Sustainable Development Goals! On our student resources page you will find plenty of materials for young people and adults alike. Share with your family and friends to help achieve a better world for all.

children holding up books

Reading and learning are essential to children¡¯s growth and development; stories can fuel their imagination and raise awareness of new possibilities. The SDG Book Club aims to encourage them to learn about the Goals in a fun, engaging way, empowering them to make a difference.

SDG 4: Quality Education
 

Sustainable Development Goal 4 is all about ensuring everyone has access to no matter who they are or where they are. Access to education can help lift people out of poverty and is fundamental to creating a peaceful society.

More from the
United Nations

Featured stories from across the United Nations and our world-wide family of agencies, funds, and programmes.

A group of displaced people walking along a road. ?frica, United Nations Organization

Spotlight on the Democratic Republic of the Congo

The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is experiencing one of the world's worst humanitarian crises, with some 25.4 million people in need of assistance, including 6.9 million internally displaced persons. Ongoing armed conflicts, particularly in eastern regions like North Kivu, are exacerbating the situation, causing significant displacement and human rights violations, while heavy fighting impedes humanitarian access. Natural disasters in late 2024, such as severe flooding, have impacted over 100,000 people, and disease outbreaks of cholera and malaria threaten millions, who also face acute malnutrition and lack of education. To find out more and to keep up to date with the latest developments in the DRC crisis, visit our new website.

Human Rights, UN Women

Female genital mutilation (FGM) is a human rights violation that causes lifelong suffering for millions of women and girls. It is a harmful practice that persists due to cultural norms and myths. There are no health benefits and survivors are left with long-lasting trauma. Estimates show , a rise of 15% in the last eight years. The increase is due to population growth in the regions where FGM is most common, such as sub-Saharan Africa and the Arab States. By 2050,  

Agriculture and Food, FAO

In the eastern part of Guyana, near the Corentyne Coast, locals farm endemic brackish water shrimp in constructed ponds that combine freshwater from the Canje River and saltwater from the Atlantic Ocean, enhancing the shrimp's unique flavor. Suedat Persaud, a long-time farmer and founder of the East Berbice-Corentyne Aquaculture Cooperative Society Ltd, notes that farming has become challenging due to climate change, including El Ni?o and La Ni?a effects. To address these issues, the Government of Guyana began a project in 2021 aimed at improving livelihoods and shrimp production. Training provided by the Food and Agriculture Organization () and Guyana's Fisheries Department introduced better management practices. The initiative also promoted mangrove restoration as part of its sustainable development efforts.

Intellectual and Cultural Property, UNESCO

One year after the black flags of Daesh were lowered over Mosul, UNESCO launched the "" initiative, a story of hope and resilience showcasing the power of international cooperation.

Migrants, UNHCR

After 13 years in Jordan, 80-year-old Hassan Mohammad Alhassan, a Syrian refugee, boarded a bus in Amman, filled with hope for his long-awaited return to Syria, despite the challenges ahead.

Energy, World Bank

aims to bring electricity to 300 million people in Africa by 2030 through bold reforms, investments, and global collaboration to close the energy access gap.

Natural Resources and the Environment, UNEP

The revival of Chile¡¯s Cahuil Lagoon showcases sustainable conservation¡¯s success, as wetlands globally decline by 85% since 1700s, threatening ecosystems due to climate change and urbanization.

What we do

Due to the powers vested in its Charter and its unique international character, the United Nations can take action on the issues confronting humanity in the 21st century, including:

Structure of the
United Nations

The main parts of the UN structure are the , the
Security Council, the , the Trusteeship Council, the , and the UN Secretariat. All were established in 1945 when the UN was founded.

The General Assembly is the main deliberative,?policymaking and representative organ of the UN. All?193 Member States of the UN are represented in the?General Assembly, making it the only UN body with?universal representation.

The Security Council has primary responsibility, under?the UN Charter, for the maintenance of international?peace and security. It has 15 Members (5 permanent?and 10 non-permanent members). Each Member has?one vote. Under the Charter, all Member States are?obligated to comply with Council decisions.

The Economic and Social Council is the principal body?for coordination, policy review, policy dialogue and?recommendations on economic, social and?environmental issues, as well as implementation of?internationally agreed development goals.

The Trusteeship Council was established in 1945 by the?UN Charter, under Chapter XIII, to provide international?supervision for 11 Trust Territories that had been placed?under the administration of seven Member States, and?ensure that adequate steps were taken to prepare the?Territories for self-government and independence.

The International Court of Justice is the principal judicial organ of the United Nations. Its seat is at the Peace Palace in the Hague (Netherlands). It is the only one of the six principal organs of the United Nations not located in New York (United States of America).

The Secretariat comprises the Secretary-General and?tens of thousands of international UN staff members?who carry out the day-to-day work of the UN as?mandated by the General Assembly and the?Organization's other principal organs.

Learn more

Climate change is the defining issue of our time and now is the defining moment to do something about it. There is still time to tackle climate change, but it will require an unprecedented effort from all sectors of society.

Women at UN CSW63 Side Event - ¡°Take the Hot Seat¡±. Photo: UN Women/Ryan Brown

Women and girls represent half of the world¡¯s population and, therefore, also half of its potential. Gender equality, besides being a fundamental human right, is essential to achieve peaceful societies, with full human potential and sustainable development.

UN Secretary-General Ant¨®nio Guterres is greeted on his visit to the Central African Republic

While global poverty rates have been cut by more than half since 2000, one in ten people in developing regions still lives on less than US$1.90 a day ¡ª the internationally agreed poverty line, and millions of others live on slightly more than this daily amount.

A young girl holds a smiling infant at the Zaatari Refugee Camp

Following up on a made by UN Member States at the UN¡¯s 75th anniversary, the report Our Common Agenda looks ahead to the next 25 years and represents the Secretary-General¡¯s vision on the future of global cooperation. It calls for inclusive, networked, and effective multilateralism to better respond to humanity¡¯s most pressing challenges.

Watch and Listen

Video and audio from across the United Nations and our world-wide family of agencies, funds, and programmes.

UN Trade and Development's promotes sustainable biodiversity conservation, fostering economic development through responsible trade practices while benefiting local communities and aligning with global agreements like the (CBD) and (CITES).

Journey through the MILtiverse

helps youth organizations integrate Media and Information Literacy (MIL), promoting critical skills to navigate digital challenges like disinformation and AI impacts.

Ethiopia: living (and dying) with bamboo

Ethiopia, home to Africa's largest bamboo resources, is using bamboo for sustainable farming, climate action, and environmental restoration, supported by .

UN Podcasts

speaking with others sitting next to her

Women¡¯s rights are human rights (AAN: S10-E8)

¡°Peace is a prerequisite. It's so critical for development¡­ for unleashing the potential of the little girls. Peace is so important for enabling mothers, widows to give the best they can.¡±

Having grown up in war-torn rural Zimbabwe, Nyaradzayi Gumbonzvanda overcame extreme hardship to pursue a career at the highest levels of the United Nations. Now UN Assistant Secretary-General, and one of two deputy executive directors of UN Women, she wants little girls everywhere to aspire to the same heights.

¡°Never let your circumstances determine your future. They are just a stepping stone to who you truly are.¡±

UN Women works to uphold women¡¯s human rights and ensure that every woman and girl lives up to her full potential. In this episode, Nyaradzayi reflects on a childhood touched by war, poverty and disease, on a lifelong love of learning, and on how a recent accident gave her a new perspective on inequality.

Photo: ?UN Women/Ryan Brown

The United Nations in Pictures

Images from across the United Nations and our world-wide family of agencies, funds, and programmes.

Photo:OCHA

Nana Hadiza recalls the day armed assailants attacked her village, killing many men and forcing her to flee with her youngest child, seeking refuge at the Sossokoira displacement site in Gao. Like thousands from Talataye village, she now lives in a tent with other displaced women, far from home. Families across central Mali share similar stories, fleeing violence and finding temporary shelter in Bandiagara and Mopti regions. Many arrived with nothing and cannot return due to ongoing threats. The 2025  highlights that 4.7 million people, primarily women and children, urgently need assistance. Humanitarian partners aim to raise $771.3 million for emergency assistance this year. Flexible, long-term funding is essential to help families in Mali and the wider Sahel to rebuild their lives, provide children with education and nutrition, and offer hope to those who need it most. Every contribution makes a difference. 

Photo:UNOPS

Since the 2019 earthquake, Albania's National Puppet Theatre has reopened, combining historic charm with modern innovation. Built in 1924, the theatre has served various roles, including as a military officers' club and the seat of the first parliament. In the 1960s, the building found new life as the National Puppet Theatre. The theatre was damaged in the 2019 earthquake and is being restored as part of the EU4Culture programme. The €40 million initiative, implemented by , has preserved historic elements from the 1920s, 1950s and 1980s. The revitalised theatre is expected to boost tourism, support local businesses and provide opportunities for artists. The National Puppet Theatre is now reopened and will continue to bring families together through laughter, storytelling and imagination.