Press releases
Unicef UK appoints Olivia Colman as its new President
3 September 2020 - Unicef UK is delighted to announce that Olivia Colman CBE has been appointed as its new President.
UNICEF warns of “looming children’s crisis” and urgent need for UK to take action to improve lives of children
2 September 2020 - “Worlds of Influence: Understanding what shapes child well-being in rich countries”, based on pre-pandemic data analysis, gives the UK an overall ranking of 27 among 41 EU and OECD countries on children’s health, academic and social skillsets.
COVID-19 Isolation and Treatment Centre opens for Bangladeshi communities and Rohingya refugees in Cox’s Bazar
31 August 2020 –UNICEF and icddr,b are supporting a 200-bed isolation and treatment centre in Cox’s Bazar District to provide critical care for COVID-19 patients from both Bangladeshi and Rohingya refugee communities.
Severe water shortages compound desperate situation for children and families in Beirut
28 AUGUST 2020 – 300,000 people in Beirut continue to face a lack of access to critical safe water and sanitation services, UNICEF warned today, more than three weeks after the huge explosion tore through Lebanon’s capital.
Coronavirus: At least a third of the world’s schoolchildren unable to access remote learning during school closures, new UNICEF report says
27 August 2020 – At least a third of the world’s schoolchildren – 463 million children globally – were unable to access remote learning when Coronavirus shuttered their schools, according to a new UNICEF report released today as countries across the world grapple with their ‘back-to-school’ plans.
UNICEF delivers critical supplies to support children and families affected by Beirut explosions
25 AUGUST 2020 – UNICEF was able to respond immediately following the explosion, distributing pre-positioned supplies that were in stock in the immediate aftermath.
Rohingya children bearing brunt of Coronavirus disruptions in Bangladesh refugee camps as education facilities remain closed - UNICEF
25 August 2020 – Three years since hundreds of thousands fled violence and persecution in Myanmar, Rohingya refugee children and families in Cox’ Bazar District of Bangladesh are now facing new challenges.
Children affected by Beirut explosions in need of psychological support as 50 per cent show signs of trauma
21 August 2020 - Remarks from Marixie Mercado, UNICEF spokesperson in Geneva on the trauma experienced by children in Beirut following the recent blast.
Building a better future for every child in East Asia and the Pacific, post coronavirus
18th August 2020 - New report from UNICEF highlights the many ways coronavirus has further pummelled the region’s 2.2 billion people.
Coronavirus causes disruptions to child protection services in more than 100 countries, UNICEF survey finds
18 August 2020 – Violence prevention and response services have been severely disrupted during the coronavirus pandemic, leaving children at increased risk of violence, exploitation and abuse, according to a global survey by UNICEF.
UNICEF LAUNCHES FIRST EVER DOMESTIC EMERGENCY RESPONSE PROGRAMME TO PROVIDE FOOD SUPPORT FOR VULNERABLE CHILDREN ACROSS THE UK
17 August 2020 – Unicef UK has today launched its first ever domestic emergency response programme to support children in the UK during the coronavirus pandemic.
2 in 5 schools around the world lacked basic handwashing facilities prior to Coronavirus pandemic — UNICEF, WHO
13 August 2020 – As schools worldwide struggle with reopening, the latest data from the WHO/UNICEF Joint Monitoring Programme (JMP) reveals that 43 per cent of schools around the world lacked access to basic handwashing with soap and water in 2019 – a key condition for schools to be able to operate safely in the midst of the Coronavirus pandemic.
Eight children die in Al Hol camp, northeastern Syria in less than a week
Statement by UNICEF Executive Director Henrietta Fore
Polio vaccination campaigns resume in Afghanistan and Pakistan after COVID-19 disruptions leave 50 million children unimmunized
11 August 2020 – Polio immunization campaigns have resumed in Afghanistan and Pakistan – the last two polio-endemic countries in the world – months after Coronavirus left 50 million children without their polio vaccine.
Update on children affected by Beirut explosions and UNICEF response
11 August 2020 - Statement from Palais des Nations Press Briefing on the situation and response in Beirut.
Jason Manford, Santan Dave, Kelly Smith MBE, Patrice Evra and David James to make their Soccer Aid for Unicef debuts alongside returning stars Yaya Touré, Olly Murs, Kem Cetinay and Joe Wicks
11 August 2020 - Soccer Aid for Unicef today announced the first set of players who will take part in September’s behind-closed-doors game at Old Trafford, the home of Manchester United.
Remarks by UNICEF Executive Director Henrietta Fore at the virtual briefing on the humanitarian situation in Lebanon
10 August 2020 - "Everyone across the UNICEF family is shocked and saddened by last Tuesday’s explosions in Beirut.
80,000 children displaced due to Beirut explosions
6 AUGUST 2020 – Some 80,000 children have been displaced by the Beirut explosions, according to UNICEF estimates, with families affected in desperate need of support.
UNICEF is sad and shocked at Beirut explosions, concerned about wellbeing of children, and supporting partners on the ground
5 August 2020 - Statement from UNICEF in response to Beirut explosions.
Children in Central America and the Caribbean facing dual threat of stronger hurricane season and Coronavirus
Across Central America and the Caribbean, more than 70 million children are directly or indirectly affected by the Coronavirus pandemic. Many of those children living in coastal areas of Central America and the Caribbean could face the additional threat of catastrophic storms as the 2020 hurricane season moves into a more active phase, UNICEF warned today. Displacement, infrastructure damage and service interruption caused by storms, particularly in coastal areas, could leave children and families more vulnerable to the disease and its impacts.