Press releases
A child a day: The deadly illusion of Gaza's ceasefire
GENEVA/AMMAN, 19 June 2026 – “For many, many months, the world has been told there is a ceasefire in Gaza. Yet for Palestinian children, this so-called ceasefire has become a cruel and deadly illusion.
Statement by UNICEF Country Representative in Lebanon, Marcoluigi Corsi, on the ongoing suffering of children in Lebanon over 100 days into conflict
BEIRUT, 17 June 2026 – “For more than three months, children in Lebanon have lived through experiences no child should ever endure. Many have fled their homes multiple times, witnessed violence first-hand, lost loved ones, and seen their schools, communities, and sense of safety shattered.
Children increasingly exposed to overlapping climate risks worldwide, UNICEF warns
GENEVA, 16 June 2026 – “Imagine having to swim across a fast-moving river, known for its strong currents and crocodiles, just to make it to school.
Nearly half of the world’s children exposed to at least three overlapping climate threats – UNICEF
NEW YORK, 16 June 2026 – Nearly half of the world’s children – or 1.1 billion – are now exposed to at least three overlapping climate hazards, threatening their health, education, and survival, according to a new UNICEF report launched today
"We may see more children affected in the days ahead” – UNICEF warns as Ebola spreads in eastern DRC – Palais Remarks
GENEVA, 12 June 2026 – “I have just come from Bunia. What I saw there stays with you. The context is the first thing that hits you. Eastern DRC has endured decades of conflict. Many children and families have been displaced."
UNICEF names Lamine Yamal as a Goodwill Ambassador
NEW YORK, 11 June 2026 – 18-year-old Barcelona and Spain football star Lamine Yamal has been announced as UNICEF's newest Goodwill Ambassador, championing every child’s right to play.
Deadly violence continues to claim children's lives across Gaza and the West Bank
AMMAN, 10 June 2026 – “This weekend eight children were reported killed and a further 17 injured in five different locations in the Gaza Strip, while in the West Bank, a seven-month-old boy died after being shot by Israeli forces in the Tel Rumeida area of Hebron.
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.