Press releases

25 June 2025 – Dr Philip Goodwin, Chief Executive Officer for the UK Committee for UNICEF (UNICEF UK), said: “This pledge from the UK Government will bring Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, closer to its ambitious goal of reaching another 500 million children worldwide with critical vaccines and vitally, saving another nine million lives by 2030.

NEW YORK, 25 June 2025 - "Excellencies, distinguished delegates, colleagues. First of all, let me thank Guyana for allowing UNICEF the opportunity to address this Council today.

23 June 2025 – UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell today concluded a three-day mission to Chad, warning of the worsening crisis affecting children in the eastern part of the country that has seen the arrival of hundreds of thousands of refugees from Sudan.

21 June 2025 – At the end of a mission to Burkina Faso, UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell called for urgent action to protect children across the Sahel whose lives are upended by insecurity, displacement and climate change.

AMMAN/GENEVA, 20 June 2025 – “In a war already defined by its brutality, Gaza now teeters at its deadliest edge. Currently just 40 per cent of drinking water production facilities remain functional in Gaza (87 out of 217). Without fuel, every one of these will stop operating within weeks.

19 June 2025 – The number of malnourished children in the Gaza Strip is rising at an alarming rate, with 5,119 children between 6 months and 5 years of age admitted for treatment for acute malnutrition in May alone.

NEW YORK, 15 June 2025 – “This weekend’s surge in violence across the Middle East signals a dangerous escalation. Children are once again paying the ultimate price.

Philip Goodwin, UNICEF UK Chief Executive said: “We’re so thrilled that our UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador, David Beckham, has been awarded a knighthood in the King’s Birthday Honours"MANCHESTER, SUNDAY 15 JUNE – Soccer Aid for UNICEF 2025, broadcast live and exclusively on ITV1, ITVX, STV and STV Player this evening from Old Trafford, Manchester, has raised £15,280,163 for UNICEF’s vital work helping children grow up safe, healthy and able to play. 

Philip Goodwin, UNICEF UK Chief Executive said: “We’re so thrilled that our UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador, David Beckham, has been awarded a knighthood in the King’s Birthday Honours"

JUBA, 12 June 2025 – The population in two counties in South Sudan are at-risk of famine in the coming months, as conflict in Upper Nile state escalates, destroying homes, disrupting livelihoods, and impeding the delivery of humanitarian aid.

GENEVA/NEW YORK, 11 June 2025 – Nearly 138 million children were engaged in child labour in 2024, including around 54 million in hazardous work likely to jeopardize their health, safety, or development, according to new estimates released today by the International Labour Organization (ILO) and UNICEF.

Returning to a neonatal care unit for the first time since her own daughter was born prematurely, Oti reflected: “Seeing the work and meeting mums like Ouattara brought everything home.”

New analysis from the UK Committee for UNICEF (UNICEF UK) exposes the stark impact of deprivation on babies and young children’s life chances across England. It reveals that where a child is born and raised up to the age of five can influence their future potential.

Friday June 6:  TV, radio and podcast host Sam Thompson has crossed his ‘Match Ball Mission’ finish line at Old Trafford raising £1,516,433.22 and counting for UNICEF as he completed the ultimate test of endurance, successfully transporting the Soccer Aid for UNICEF match ball more than 260 miles from last year’s stadium, Stamford Bridge in London, to the home of this year’s match, Old Trafford in Manchester. 

Thursday June 5: There was a surprise in store for TV, radio and podcast host Sam Thompson today as he took a speedboat across the River Mersey joined by his I'm a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here! campmate Tony Bellew, before reaching the penultimate finish line of his gruelling five day challenge - which has hit a record fundraising milestone of £1,169,922.42 and counting for UNICEF. 

Wednesday June 4: Day three of TV, radio and podcast host Sam Thompson’s Match Ball Mission for Soccer Aid for UNICEF challenge saw him continue to battle a painful calf injury as he passed the half-way mark – raising £604,280.82 and counting!

Tuesday 3rd June: TV, radio and podcast host Sam Thompson battled through torrential downpours and a painful calf strain today, completing 72 miles of his Match Ball Mission for Soccer Aid for UNICEF - raising a total of £198,922.66 and counting!

The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) and UNICEF condemn an attack on a joint humanitarian convoy near Al Koma, North Darfur, last night. Five members of the convoy were killed, and several more people were injured. Multiple trucks were burned, and critical humanitarian supplies were damaged.

Monday 2nd June: TV, radio and podcast host Sam Thompson has successfully made it over the finish line on day one of his mammoth ‘Match Ball Mission’ for Soccer Aid for UNICEF – raising £100,603.46 so far.

Monday 2nd June, 8:30: TV, radio and podcast host Sam Thompson set off on the toughest challenge of his life this morning: to take the Soccer Aid for UNICEF match ball more than 260 exhausting miles from last year’s stadium, Stamford Bridge in London, to the home of this year’s charity match, Old Trafford in Manchester, all to raise vital funds to support UNICEF’s work for children around the world.