Press releases
Statement by UNICEF Regional Director Marie-Pierre Poirier on attack in western Niger
“UNICEF condemns in the strongest possible terms the horrific killings of civilians perpetrated by unidentified armed groups in the villages of Darey-dey and Sinégogar, Tillabery region, in western Niger, reportedly killing at least 58 people – including six children aged 11 to 17. We are deeply saddened and outraged that civilians, including children, are among the casualties.”
Scotland votes to incorporate children’s rights in law
16 March 2021 – In a landmark moment for children’s rights, the Scottish Parliament has voted to incorporate the UNCRC into Scottish Law.
Virtual visit to Syria and Jordan and press briefing: ten years on the crisis in Syria
11 MARCH 2021: Remarks as delivered by Ted Chaiban, UNICEF Regional Director for the Middle East and North Africa.
Across virtually every key measure of childhood, progress has gone backward, UNICEF says as pandemic declaration hits one-year mark
11 March 2021 – One year since COVID-19 was declared a pandemic, the latest available data from UNICEF uncover a devastating and distorted new normal for the world’s children.
Syria conflict 10 years on: 90 per cent of children need support as violence, economic crisis and COVID-19 pandemic push families to the brink – UNICEF
10 March 2021 – The war in Syria has left the lives and futures of a generation of children hanging by a thread, UNICEF warned today, as the conflict nears the 10-year mark.
UNICEF UK and Crowdfunder launch appeal to help deliver 2 billion Covid-19 vaccines around the world
8 March 2021 - UNICEF UK and Crowdfunder fundraising appeal goes live today as part of the global COVAX initiative to ensure no one is left behind
10 million additional girls at risk of child marriage due to COVID-19 – UNICEF
8 March 2020 - With 25 million child marriages averted in the last decade, UNICEF issues warning that these gains are now under serious threat
UNICEF condemns killings and arbitrary detentions of children by security forces during ongoing crisis in Myanmar
At least five children reportedly killed, four severely wounded and 500 arbitrarily detained since protests began last month BANGKOK, 4 March 2021 – As the crisis in Myanmar escalates, the…
At least 1 in 7 children and young people has lived under stay-at-home policies for most of the last year, putting mental health and well-being at risk – UNICEF
4 March 2021 - As we approach the one-year anniversary of the pandemic, UNICEF urges greater global investment in mental health services.
COVID-19: Schools for more than 168 million children globally have been completely closed for almost a full year, says UNICEF
3 March 2021 – Schools for more than 168 million children globally have been completely closed for almost an entire year due to COVID-19 lockdowns, according to new data released today by UNICEF.
COVAX PUBLISHES FIRST round of allocations
Deliveries for this round of allocations has already begun, with India, Ghana and Cote d’Ivoire receiving doses of the SII/AZ vaccine. Both Ghana and Cote d’Ivoire began vaccination campaigns utilising these doses on Monday. Further deliveries are underway for this week, and as readiness criteria are fulfilled and doses become available, will continue on a rolling basis over the coming months.
Statement from Peter Hawkins, UNICEF Nigeria Representative, on school attack in Zamfara State, north-west Nigeria
26 February 2021 - UNICEF today expressed concern at reports of an overnight attack at the Government Girls Secondary School in north-west Nigeria.
UNICEF signs COVID-19 vaccine supply agreement with AstraZeneca
Through the supply agreement, UNICEF, along with procurement partners including the Pan-American Health Organization (PAHO), will have access to up to 170 million doses of vaccines for around 85 countries. This is the third such agreement for COVID-19 vaccines, following previously announced agreements with Pfizer and the Serum Institute of India.
COVID-19 vaccine doses shipped by the COVAX Facility head to Ghana, marking beginning of global rollout
24 February 2021 - 600,000 doses of the AstraZeneca/Oxford vaccine have arrived in Accra, Ghana; further deliveries to Cote d’Ivoire expected this week.
Ghana becomes recipient of historic first shipment of COVAX vaccines
After a year of disruptions due to the COVID-19 pandemic, with more than 80,700 Ghanaians getting infected with the virus and over 580 lost lives, the path to recovery for the people of Ghana can finally begin.