Shibbir Ahmed, New York — Some 5.8 million refugee children — nearly half of all school-aged refugee children worldwide — were out of school in 2025, the United Nations refugee agency UNHCR said Friday, warning that funding cuts could threaten hard-won progress in refugee education. According to UNHCR’s latest education report, an estimated 13.1 million refugee children of school age were living around the world in 2025. Of those, 44 percent were not enrolled in school.

The agency said the growing pressure on humanitarian and development funding risks reversing progress made in recent years and could leave more refugee children without access to education. The challenge becomes particularly severe as refugee children move from primary to secondary education. UNHCR said access to education declines significantly at the secondary level, with poverty, protection concerns and other barriers affecting children and adolescents, particularly girls.

Despite the overall challenges, UNHCR reported some progress in higher education. Refugee enrolment in tertiary education reached a record 11 percent in 2025, up from 9 percent in 2024, with more than 450,000 refugees enrolled in higher education.

UNHCR said the progress remains uneven. In low-income and conflict-affected countries, only about 2 percent of refugees were enrolled in higher education, compared with 13 percent of nationals, according to the agency’s report. The agency is calling on governments, international organisations and development partners to protect funding for refugee education and strengthen national education systems in countries hosting refugees.

UNHCR High Commissioner Barham Salih said education provides refugees with opportunities for greater self-reliance and warned that funding reductions could undermine years of investment. The report was highlighted during the UN Geneva press briefing on October 2, where UNHCR presented its latest findings on refugee education.

The report comes as humanitarian agencies face increasing financial pressure and competing global crises. UNHCR has warned that reductions in humanitarian funding are already affecting assistance and protection services for forcibly displaced people.

Shibbir Ahmed, New York — The United Nations has strongly condemned an airstrike in Myanmar’s Rakhine State that reportedly killed at least 50 people at a busy market and urged authorities to halt the deportation of Myanmar nationals from Malaysia. According to the UN, forces from Myanmar’s military junta reportedly struck Kyauktaw township around midday Monday, when more than 200 shops were operating. Women and children were among those killed, while at least 58 people were injured, many critically. The death toll is expected to rise.

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk said the attack raised serious concerns over respect for international humanitarian law. He also highlighted continuing abuses against the Rohingya by both Myanmar’s military and the Arakan Army.

UN urges Malaysia to halt deportations

The airstrike came as Malaysia began implementing a plan to deport some 5,000 Myanmar nationals. Malaysia has said the returns would be voluntary, following an agreement reportedly reached with Myanmar’s military rulers. The UN refugee agency, UNHCR, said it had not been involved in identifying those being returned and noted that some of the people were reportedly being held in detention centers.

Mr. Türk called on Malaysia to immediately halt the deportation process, warning that conditions in Myanmar remain “far from safe and sustainable.” UN Secretary-General António Guterres also called for a halt to the reported return of around 1,500 people. UNHCR stressed that no one should be returned to a place where they face a risk of persecution or torture.

UN releases emergency funds for drought-hit Africa

Meanwhile, UN relief chief Tom Fletcher has released millions of dollars from the Central Emergency Response Fund to prepare for the worsening effects of El Niño-driven drought in South Sudan, Zimbabwe and Chad. South Sudan will receive $6 million for early action, including food, health, nutrition, protection, water and sanitation services. More than 10 million people in the country already need humanitarian assistance.

Zimbabwe will receive $4 million for anticipatory measures, while $3.6 million will support 350,000 people in Chad ahead of worsening dry conditions. The funding will also support early warning systems, cash assistance, livestock feed, malnutrition services and disease surveillance.

Israeli fire reported near UN sites in Gaza

In Gaza, the UN humanitarian office, OCHA, said Israeli fire had been reported near UN facilities and humanitarian convoys on several occasions in recent days. No casualties were reported, but the UN stressed that civilians, aid workers and humanitarian operations must be protected. Humanitarian operations have continued, with protection partners providing mental-health support and other services to about 13,000 Palestinians during the third week of September.

Aid agencies also distributed food parcels, adult diapers, assistive devices and hygiene supplies to displaced families. UNRWA said 1,394 Palestinians had been killed since the faltering October 2025 ceasefire, citing local health authorities, while about 94 percent of the population requires shelter assistance.

Settler attacks continue in West Bank

OCHA also reported continuing settler attacks in the occupied West Bank. Several houses were damaged in Jalud, in the Nablus governorate, while a water network serving Palestinians in Tubas was vandalized and vehicles carrying water and produce were seized. OCHA said it has recorded more than 1,600 settler attacks so far this year—an average of 6.7 attacks a day, compared with five a day in 2025. More than 4,300 Palestinians have been displaced.