Press releases
UNICEF strengthens response to DRC's worst floods in 60 years and growing cholera outbreak
UNICEF strengthens response to DRC's worst floods in 60 years and growing cholera outbreak
Putting survivors at the forefront of the global movement to end female genital mutilation
Putting survivors at the forefront of the global movement to end female genital mutilation
Stories of loss and grief: At least 17,000 children are estimated to be unaccompanied or separated from their parents in the Gaza Strip
GENEVA, 2 February 2023 – UNICEF estimates that at least 17,000 children in the Gaza Strip are unaccompanied or separated. Each one, a heartbreaking story of loss and grief.
Statement by Principals of the Inter-Agency Standing Committee, We cannot abandon the people of Gaza
NEW YORK, 30 January 2024 – The allegations of involvement of several UNRWA staff in the heinous attacks on Israel on 7 October are horrifying. As the Secretary-General has said, any UN employee involved in acts of terror will be held accountable. However, we must not prevent an entire organization from delivering on its mandate to serve people in desperate need.
At least 170,000 children displaced amid escalating violence in Haiti
PORT-AU-PRINCE/NEW YORK, January 29, 2024 –The surge in armed violence across Haiti has triggered a profound humanitarian crisis, with the number of internally displaced children soaring to 170,000.
Born into hell
GENEVA, 19 January 2024 – “In the 105 days of this escalation in the Gaza Strip, nearly 20,000 babies have been born into war. That’s a baby born into this horrendous war every 10 minutes.
Nearly half a million children in Europe and Central Asia live in residential care facilities
GENEVA, 18 January 2024 – Nearly half a million children – or 456,000 – across Europe and Central Asia live in residential care facilities, including large-scale institutions, according to a new report published today by UNICEF.
Ecuador: Homicide rate among children and adolescents soars 640 per cent in four years - UNICEF
PANAMA CITY/NEW YORK, 12 January 2024 – At least 770 child and adolescent homicides were recorded in Ecuador in 2023, a drastic increase of 640 percent from 104 cases in 2019, according to the latest estimates by the local Ministry of Interior.
As cholera cases continue to rise in parts of Southern Africa, UNICEF calls for increased focus on children in the cholera response
ROME, GENEVA, NEW YORK, 15 January 2024 – As the risk of famine grows, and more people are exposed to deadly disease outbreaks, a fundamental step change in the flow of humanitarian aid into Gaza is urgently needed, United Nations agencies warned today.
PREVENTING FAMINE AND DEADLY DISEASE OUTBREAKS IN GAZA REQUIRES FASTER, SAFER AID ACCESS AND MORE SUPPLY ROUTES
ROME, GENEVA, NEW YORK, 15 January 2024 – As the risk of famine grows, and more people are exposed to deadly disease outbreaks, a fundamental step change in the flow of humanitarian aid into Gaza is urgently needed, United Nations agencies warned today.
Children in Gaza still at the sharp end of unrelenting war
GENEVA, 12 January 2024 – “After almost 100 days of violence, killing, bombardment and captivity for children in Gaza, all the suffering has been too much.
Gaza: The World’s Most Dangerous Place to be a Child
“The Gaza Strip is the most dangerous place in the world to be a child. And day after day, that brutal reality is reinforced. “Over the past 48 hours, the largest remaining fully functioning hospital was shelled, twice. That hospital – Al Nasser in Khan Yunis – not only shelters large numbers of children who had already been badly injured in attacks on their homes, but hundreds of women and children seeking safety
Alex Brooker becomes UNICEF UK High Profile Support making commitment to children's rights
London, Tuesday 19 December: TV presenter and comedian, Alex Brooker has been made a UNICEF UK High Profile Supporter, recognising his unwavering support to the charity and commitment to protecting the rights of children around the world.
UNICEF appeals for $1.4 billion to ramp up preparedness and response to avert a humanitarian crisis
NAIROBI, 19 December 2023 - UNICEF is sounding the alarm on a looming climate-induced humanitarian crisis in Eastern and Southern Africa where the lives of 45 million children are at risk of poor health, malnutrition, displacement and learning loss.
Escalation of attacks on infrastructure leaves Ukraine’s children without sustained access to water and heating, threatening safety and survival as temperatures plummet
GENEVA/KYIV, 18 December 2023 – “Yet again, as winter continues to take hold, we are witnessing an escalation of attacks on infrastructure across Ukraine, with particularly unrelenting bombardment in the east and south of the country.
Measles cases in Europe and Central Asia skyrocket by 3000 per cent this year compared to last
GENEVA, 14 December 2023 – There have been 30,601 confirmed cases of measles in Europe and Central Asia between January and 5 December 2023, up from 909 throughout 2022, marking a 3266 per cent increase in cases of the vaccine-preventable disease, warns UNICEF.
UNICEF appeals for US$9.3 billion emergency funding for children living through conflicts and crises in an increasingly hostile world
GENEVA/NEW YORK, 12 December 2023 – In response to an alarming surge in the number of children facing unprecedented humanitarian crises worldwide, UNICEF launched today a US$9.3 billion emergency funding appeal to reach at least 93.7 million children in 155 countries.
Only half of young people able to identify correct definition of climate change – UNICEF, Gallup
NEW YORK/DUBAI, 7 December 2023 – Most children and young people say they have heard of climate change but only half understand what it is, according to a new UNICEF-Gallup poll, as world leaders gather at this year’s COP28.
More than 1 in 5 children live in poverty in 40 of the world’s richest countries
6 December 2023 – Some of the world’s richest countries experienced sharp rises in child poverty between 2014 and 2021, according to data published today by UNICEF Innocenti – Global Office of Research and Foresight.