Press releases
Increased transport costs mean less money for the lifesaving supplies children need – Palais Remarks
GENEVA/MOGADISHU, 2 JUNE 2026 – “Nearly 100 days into the latest Middle East escalation, the fallout extends far beyond the region. The disruption to global humanitarian supply chains is impacting children across the globe, with continued congestion in global supply routes, and higher transport costs at all levels.
UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador Millie Bobby Brown shares her parenting journey
NEW YORK, 2 JUNE 2026 – UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador Millie Bobby Brown has shared a personal reflection of her early days as a new parent to mark the start of Parenting Month in June.
Soccer Aid for UNICEF 2026 raises a record £16 million for children around the world – 20th anniversary match a sell-out success at London Stadium
LONDON, SUNDAY 31 MAY – Soccer Aid for UNICEF 2026, broadcast live and exclusively on ITV1, ITVX, STV and STV Player this evening from London Stadium, has raised over £16 million for UNICEF’s vital work supporting children worldwide.
Dire conditions trap children in Gaza in an endless cycle of suffering
GENEVA, 29 May 2026 – “Failure to meet children’s basic needs in Gaza is trapping them in an endless cycle of suffering. The experiences of the desperate parents I met this past week can illustrate this better than I could."
Prime Minister joins Soccer Aid for UNICEF stars as they train for the 20th anniversary of the charity match
LONDON, 28 May 2026 – Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer, today joined Soccer Aid for UNICEF players and celebrity talent at training week at Champneys Tring, as the campaign counts down to its 20th anniversary.
UNICEF’s first international shipment of emergency Ebola response supplies arrives in Ituri, northeastern Democratic Republic of the Congo
KINSHASA/DAKAR, 28 MAY 2026 – More than 100 metric tons of urgently needed and lifesaving humanitarian supplies have started to be airlifted and delivered by UNICEF to the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) as part of the overall emergency response to the escalating Ebola outbreak, with support from the European Union.
Star-studded Soccer Aid for UNICEF Gala, presented by EA Sports FC, raises £1,050,000
LONDON, 21 May 2026 - Sporting royalty and stars of the stage and screen came together on Thursday night for the Soccer Aid for UNICEF Gala, presented by EA SPORTS FC, at Nobu Hotel in London.
STATEMENT: UNICEF scaling up efforts to protect and support children and families following Ebola outbreaks in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda
NEW YORK/KAMPALA/KINSHASA, 18 May 2026 – “UNICEF is deeply concerned by confirmed Ebola outbreaks in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Uganda, and the growing risk to children and vulnerable communities across the region – a situation the World Health Organization has now declared a Public Health Emergency of International Concern.
MISSION ACCOMPLISHED: Olly Murs completes brutal 400km endurance challenge and raises an incredible £832,257 so far, for Soccer Aid for UNICEF
LONDON, Friday 15 May – Today, multi-platinum singer and Heart presenter, Olly Murs, completed the toughest challenge of his life as he crossed the finish line at London Stadium having cycled, rowed and run a gruelling 400km from Old Trafford in an epic Soccer Aid for UNICEF challenge.
Risk of famine persists as nearly 19.5 million people face acute food insecurity in Sudan
NEW YORK/PORT SUDAN, 15 May 2026 - The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the World Food Programme (WFP) and UNICEF warned today that nearly 19.5 million people – two out of every five people in Sudan - are currently facing crisis levels of acute food insecurity (IPC Phase 3 or above) across Sudan, according to the latest Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) analysis.
PENULTIMATE DAY OUT OF THE WAY: Olly Murs says he'll “never forget” birthday spent completing day of brutal endurance challenge for Soccer Aid for UNICEF
LONDON, Thursday 14 May – Today, multi-platinum singer and Heart presenter, Olly Murs, completed his toughest birthday yet as he continued the challenge of a lifetime taking on a gruelling 400km for Soccer Aid for UNICEF, raising over £600,000.
DAY THREE DONE AND DUSTED: Olly Murs says he’s putting his “body on the line” as he completes day three of brutal challenge for Soccer Aid for UNICEF
LONDON, Wednesday 13 May – Tonight, multi-platinum singer and Heart presenter, Olly Murs, completed day three of the toughest challenge of his life as he takes on a gruelling 400km Soccer Aid for UNICEF challenge which has raised over £260,000 so far.
Soccer Aid for UNICEF brings together parliamentarians and stars to champion children as UK aid reaches critical crossroads
LONDON, 13 May 2026 – UNICEF UK tonight welcomed government ministers, members of parliament and peers from the House of Lords to a special parliamentary reception at Portcullis House, Westminster, to celebrate 20 years of Soccer Aid for UNICEF and the extraordinary difference UK aid has made to children’s lives around the world.
At least 59 children reportedly killed or injured in Lebanon in the past week despite ceasefire – UNICEF
AMMAN/BEIRUT, 13 May 2026 – Children in Lebanon continue to be at the sharp end of ongoing violence, displacement and exposure to traumatic events. In the past seven days alone, despite an agreed ceasefire on 17 April 2026, at least 59 children have reportedly been killed or injured.
DAY TWO TICKED OFF: Emotional Olly Murs breaks down as he completes day two of brutal Soccer Aid for UNICEF challenge
LONDON, Tuesday 12 May – Today, multi-platinum singer and Heart presenter, Olly Murs, completed day two of the toughest challenge of his life as he takes on a gruelling 400km Soccer Aid for UNICEF challenge, raising over £152,000 already.
A demolition of homes, of schools and of childhood
GENEVA, 12 May 2026 – “Children are paying an intolerable price for escalating militarised operations and settler attacks across the occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem.
Economic inequality harming children’s wellbeing in world’s wealthiest countries - UNICEF
FLORENCE/LONDON, Tuesday 12 May 2026 – Economic inequality in wealthy countries is linked to worse health and poorer academic outcomes for children, according to analysis published today by UNICEF Innocenti – Global Office of Strategy and Evidence.
DAY ONE DONE: Olly Murs completes day one of brutal 400km endurance challenge for Soccer Aid for UNICEF
LONDON, Monday 11 May – Today, multi-platinum singer and Heart presenter, Olly Murs, has completed day one of the toughest five of his life as he takes on a gruelling 400km Soccer Aid for UNICEF challenge.
Olly Murs kicks off brutal 400km endurance challenge as he heads Into The Unknown for Soccer Aid for UNICEF
LONDON, Monday 11 May – Today, multi-platinum singer and Heart presenter, Olly Murs, has set off on the toughest challenge of his life as he takes on a gruelling 400km Soccer Aid for UNICEF challenge in Olly Murs: Into The Unknown.
Tom Hiddleston sees UNICEF’s vital work supporting Ukrainian refugee children in Moldova
LONDON, 7 May 2026 –UNICEF UK Ambassador Tom Hiddleston has travelled to Moldova to see first hand how UNICEF is supporting Ukrainian refugee children and families who have fled the war.