Airstrikes across Ukraine, civilian damage intensifies

According to the United Nations, as Russian airstrikes continue throughout Ukraine, civilian facilities such as residential buildings, kindergartens, and stores are being damaged. Humanitarian organizations are on the ground providing emergency assistance, including first aid, psychological support, and building repair materials.

Rosemary Di Carlo, UN Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs and Peacebuilding, warned the Security Council on Monday that “the violence in Ukraine is more serious than ever.”

Zaporizhia nuclear power plant, crisis of dependence on external power

Zaporizhia Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP), located in southern Ukraine, lost its connection to the 750 kV Dniprovska transmission line, leaving it dependent on its only backup power line. The nuclear power plant has been under Russian occupation since March 4, 2022, and has suffered damage from continuous shelling since then.

Rafael Grossi, director-general of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), said local teams were monitoring the situation and had begun negotiations with both sides for a local ceasefire to repair damaged power lines.

Democratic Republic of Congo, more than 33,000 refugees return

More than 33,000 Congolese refugees have returned from Burundi to eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) since the border reopened on February 23. Most returnees are entering the country through the border near Uvira, South Kivu Province. These are the people who fled due to fighting between government forces and the M23 armed group in December 2025.

“Many of the returnees are in deep despair after discovering their homes destroyed and their property looted,” said Ali Mahamat, UNHCR representative in DRC. “It is impossible to resume normal life without significant support.”

Serious lack of refugee support funds

Approximately 30% of the returnees are former residents of the Busuma refugee camp in Burundi, where the refugee return is accelerating due to overcrowding and severe problems with drinking water, sanitation, medical care, and housing due to lack of funds. About 4,500 people are staying at the relay station waiting to be transported to Busuma.

As of March 23, about 109,000 Congolese refugees remain in Burundi, of whom about 67,000 live in Busuma. UNHCR has secured only 34% of its operational funds in the DRC and 20% of its funds to respond to Congolese refugees in Burundi, and is appealing for urgent support from the international community for their safe and dignified return.

Central America's 'dry corridor' drought relief

The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) has allocated $10.5 million (approximately KRW 14 billion) to prepare for severe drought in the so-called 'Dry Corridor' region formed along the coasts of El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras.

About 90% of Central America's population lives in this region, and according to the United Nations World Food Program (WFP), about 2.7 million people are in need of emergency food assistance as of early 2026. UN Emergency Relief Coordinator Tom Fletcher will allocate this money from the Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) to support subsistence farming communities facing crop failure, food insecurity and threats to their livelihoods.

What this means for Korea

The prolongation of the war in Ukraine and the Zaporizh nuclear power plant crisis are issues directly related to global energy security and have implications for Korea's energy supply and demand and nuclear power plant safety policies. Additionally, the humanitarian crisis in Congo and Central America can serve as a reference case for Korea's international development cooperation (ODA) policy direction.