Press releases
Statement by UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell on children in Sudan at risk of famine
NEW YORK, 8 March 2024 – Over 230 million girls and women alive today have undergone female genital mutilation (FGM), according to a newly released UNICEF report. The updated global estimates show a 15 per cent increase in the total number of survivors – or 30 million more girls and women – compared to data released eight years ago.
Amid escalating violence in Mozambique, 60,000 children displaced within a month
NEW YORK, 8 March 2024 – Over 230 million girls and women alive today have undergone female genital mutilation (FGM), according to a newly released UNICEF report. The updated global estimates show a 15 per cent increase in the total number of survivors – or 30 million more girls and women – compared to data released eight years ago.
Over 230 million girls and women alive today have been subjected to female genital mutilation — UNICEF
NEW YORK, 8 March 2024 – Over 230 million girls and women alive today have undergone female genital mutilation (FGM), according to a newly released UNICEF report. The updated global estimates show a 15 per cent increase in the total number of survivors – or 30 million more girls and women – compared to data released eight years ago.
Statement by UNICEF Representative in Nigeria, Cristian Munduate, on the Abduction of Students in Kaduna State
ABUJA, NIGERIA, 7 March 2024 – "I am deeply saddened and concerned by the reports of yet another abduction of students in Kaduna State. The alarming frequency of such incidents across the country signals a crisis that requires immediate and determined action from all levels of government and society. Schools are supposed to be sanctuaries of learning and growth, not sites of fear and violence.
Statement by UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell on the situation in Haiti
NEW YORK, 6 March 2024 – “As violence and lawlessness in Haiti reaches a new and terrifying level, the resolve of the international community and local stakeholders to protect and supprt the Haitian people must be strengthened. “Haiti has been gripped by consecutive years of horrific violence, which in the last few days has been marked by an unprecedented level of lawlessness, human rights abuses, kidnappings, and a total disregard for the lives and wellbeing of children and their families and the essential services they rely on."
Statement by UNICEF in Zambia on the situation of children following the recent emergency declaration
Statement by Adele Khodr, UNICEF Regional Director for the Middle East and North Africa as malnutrition ravages the Gaza Strip. Children in Zambia have been facing multiple challenges over the past few months. The country has been trying to curb a devastating cholera outbreak since October 2023, and now a drought, resulting from the impact of El Niño on the country which is “the worst of its kind,” as it has been defined by the President of the Republic, Mr. Hakainde Hichilema, leading to increased vulnerabilities for families and communities.
Statement by Adele Khodr, UNICEF Regional Director for the Middle East and North Africa
Statement by Adele Khodr, UNICEF Regional Director for the Middle East and North Africa as malnutrition ravages the Gaza Strip.
El Niño-driven drought, floods, disease outbreaks and internal conflicts threatening the lives of children in Ethiopia
During a five-day visit to Ethiopia, UNICEF Deputy Executive Director, Ted Chaiban, urged the international community to immediately scale up their support for children and families to avert a deepening humanitarian catastrophe throughout the country.
Ukraine two years: Children in frontline areas forced to spend up to 5,000 hours – equivalent to nearly 7 months - sheltering underground
Ukraine two years: Children in frontline areas forced to spend up to 5,000 hours – equivalent to nearly 7 months - sheltering underground
Frontline children: battling mental trauma, underground
Kyiv, 23 February 2024 – “UNICEF estimates that over the past two years of war, children in cities in Ukraine’s frontline areas have been forced to spend between 3,000 and 5,000 hours – equivalent to between four to seven months – sheltering underground.
Statement by Principals of the Inter-Agency Standing Committee: Civilians in Gaza in extreme peril while the world watches on
21 February 2024 – In the less than five months that followed the brutal 7 October attacks and the ensuing escalation, tens of thousands of Palestinians – mostly women and children – have been killed and injured in the Gaza Strip. More than three quarters of the population have been forced from their homes, many multiple times, and face severe shortages of food, water, sanitation and healthcare – the basic necessities to survive.
Children’s lives threatened by rising malnutrition in the Gaza Strip
19 February 2024 – A steep rise in malnutrition among children and pregnant and breastfeeding women in the Gaza Strip poses grave threats to their health, according to a comprehensive new analysis released by the Global Nutrition Cluster.
68,000 children affected by Nepal earthquake still need urgent assistance - UNICEF
KATHMANDU, Nepal, 11 February 2024 – 100 days after a 6.4 magnitude earthquake struck western Nepal on 3 November 2023, UNICEF is calling for continued support for 68,000 children and their families in the affected areas and appealing for US$14.7 million in funding to help rebuild the lives of the affected children.
Three hundred days of atrocities against the children of Sudan
Three hundred days of atrocities against the children of Sudan
Record numbers of children seek life-saving care as Sudan war drives world’s worst displacement crisis
Record numbers of children seek life-saving care as Sudan war drives world’s worst displacement crisis
Statement by UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell on Rafah, Gaza
UNICEF is urgently calling on the parties to refrain from military escalation in Rafah Governorate in Gaza where over 600,000 children and their families have been displaced – many of them more than once.
UNICEF urges all parties to safeguard children amid latest unrest in Haiti
UNICEF is deeply concerned by recent reports highlighting the violence faced and witnessed by children during the current socio-political events in Haiti. We urge all stakeholders to ensure that children are protected, regardless of their situation. schools in eastern Myanmar
Children and teachers killed in air strikes on schools in eastern Myanmar
Children and teachers killed in air strikes on schools in eastern Myanmar
Two-month-old baby the ninth child reportedly killed in Ukraine this year, as attacks intensify – UNICEF
Two-month-old baby the ninth child reportedly killed in Ukraine this year, as attacks intensify – UNICEF