Press releases
Nine Afghan children killed or maimed daily in world’s most lethal warzone
A new UNICEF report notes that in the first nine months of 2019, an average of nine children were killed or maimed every day. This marks an 11 per cent increase compared to the same period in 2018.
As impact of climate crisis worsens, Caribbean islands see six-fold increase in estimated number of children displaced by storms, new UNICEF report shows
6 December 2019 - Spike in displacement could be new norm as climate change predicted to cause more Category 4 and 5 hurricanes in the region
More than 140,000 die from measles as cases surge worldwide
5 December 2019 - Infants and young children most at risk of fatal complications, health agencies warn
More than 6,100 unaccompanied refugee and migrant children in Italy in need of community and family-based care
5 December 2019 – Approximately 94 per cent of all unaccompanied and separated refugee and migrant children currently in Italy, 6,172 children under 18, are living in reception centres, often isolated and cut off from opportunities to build their future, said UNICEF today. The agency urged authorities to increase community and family-based housing solutions across the country.
UNICEF issues largest-ever emergency funding appeal to reach historic numbers of children in need
4 December 2019 – UNICEF today released its US$ 4.2 / GBP £3.28 billion 2020 emergency appeal to reach 59 million children with life-saving support in 64 countries across the globe. It is its biggest ask of donors yet, representing 3.5 times the funds requested in 2010.
Eight children reportedly killed in attacks on Tal Rifaat in rural Aleppo north of Syria
2 December 2019 – UNICEF response to reports that 16 children were killed and injured in attacks on Tal Rifaat town, northern Aleppo.
430,000 children continue to bear the brunt of eastern Ukraine conflict – UNICEF
2nd December 2019 - UNICEF calls on all parties to end ongoing fighting in Ukraine as 430,000 children continue to bear the brunt of eastern conflict
UNICEF delivers over 260,000 vaccines and medical supplies to fight measles outbreaks in Samoa, Fiji and Tonga
28 November 2019: UNICEF is supporting the Governments of Samoa, Fiji and the Kingdom of Tonga to respond to the current measles outbreak in the Pacific region, together with the World Health Organisation (WHO), partners and with the support of the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) and New Zealand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT).
4,500 children under the age of five died from measles in the Democratic Republic of the Congo so far this year – UNICEF
Since the beginning of the year, more than 5,000 people have died due to measles, over 90 per cent of them children under the age of five.
Ishmael Beah visits Sierra Leone on 30th anniversary of the Convention on the Rights of the Child
26 November 2019 – UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador Ishmael Beah has concluded a visit to his native Sierra Leone on the commemoration of the 30th Anniversary of the Convention on the Rights of the Child.
New policies in northern Central America, Mexico and the U.S. put asylum and safety beyond reach for migrant children
Migrant children in northern Central America, Mexico and the United States are facing significantly reduced access to safety and international protection, according to a new statement from Unicef.
Update on the situation in Syria
21 November 2019 - A summary of a briefing note delivered at the Palais des Nations on the situation in Northeast Syria and across the country from Fran Equiza, UNICEF Representative in Syria.
NEW FILM/PHOTOS - UNICEF Goodwill Ambassadors David Beckham and Millie Bobby Brown host global summit at UN in New York for World Children’s Day
20th November 2019 - UNICEF Goodwill Ambassadors David Beckham and Millie Bobby Brown host global summit at United Nations Headquarters for World Children's Day
KIDS TAKEOVER LONDON’S TRANSPORT SYSTEM FOR WORLD CHILDREN’S DAY
20 November 2019 - This World Children’s Day, Transport for London is supporting Unicef UK to celebrate kids in the capital and the power of children’s voices
David Beckham and Millie Bobby Brown headline UN summit to demand rights for every child
20 November 2019 – This World Children’s Day, governments renew commitment to child rights, children take over key roles and famous landmarks go blue as Convention on the Rights of the Child turns 30.
30 years of child rights: Historic gains and undeniable achievements, but little progress for the world’s poorest children
18 November - Urgent action and a recommitment to child rights needed to address age-old and emerging threats
“Forgotten epidemic” hospitalising six children every hour in England
Six children are being rushed to hospital with pneumonia every hour in England, a report by two leading children’s agencies reveals.