UN Demands Global Ceasefires for 2026 Olympics as Wars Rage On
The UN has called for global ceasefires during the 2026 Winter Olympics, urging warring parties to pause hostilities. In Syria, a recent truce between government forces and Kurdish-led fighters has been welcomed as a chance to protect civilians. Meanwhile, Ukraine's harsh winter and rising poverty are pushing families with children into deeper crisis.
The UN General Assembly has asked all conflict zones to observe a 'true mutual ceasefire' for the 2026 Milano-Cortina Games. The Olympic Truce will run from seven days before the opening ceremony until a week after the Paralympics end. This follows a similar agreement in Syria, where the UN Commission of Inquiry praised a ceasefire between the Syrian Government and the mainly-Kurdish Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF).
The Commission is now pushing for stricter adherence to international humanitarian law. It is also investigating alleged abuses in Syria's northeast, where cold weather and limited services threaten displaced families—especially children. Over 3 million people, including half a million children, remain displaced inside Ukraine as well. There, poverty among households with children has surged from 43% in 2021 to 65% in 2023.
With temperatures plummeting to minus 20 degrees Celsius, Ukraine's winter has turned particularly brutal. UNICEF's 2026 winter response plans to assist at least one million vulnerable people, including 170,000 children. Support will focus on cash aid and repairing heating systems to prevent further suffering.
The UN's ceasefire appeals aim to ease suffering in conflict zones during the 2026 Games. In Syria, the truce offers a brief respite, though investigations into violations continue. For Ukraine, extreme cold and economic strain mean urgent aid remains critical for displaced families and children facing another harsh winter.
