Press releases

The resurgence of conflict in the province of South Kivu, in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), has forced more than 850,000 people—nearly half of them children—to flee their homes. Many are living in precarious conditions, taking shelter in schools, churches, or in the open, with limited access to clean water and sanitation, healthcare, and education.

GENEVA/NEW YORK, 14 March 2024 – "This morning, I would like to bring your attention to Sudan’s children—trapped in one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises. I returned last week from a country where conflict, displacement, and hunger are destroying young lives.

With its economy and social services system and infrastructure in near collapse, and no end to the conflict in sight, we estimate that nearly two thirds of Sudan’s total population -- more than 30 million people -- will require humanitarian assistance this year.

GENEVA/COPENHAGEN, 13 March 2025 – 127,350 measles cases were reported in the European Region in 2024, double the number of cases reported for 2023 and the highest number since 1997, according to an analysis by WHO and UNICEF.

DHAKA/GENEVA, 11 March 2025 – “Children in the world’s largest refugee camp are experiencing the worst levels of malnutrition since the massive displacement that occurred in 2017.

DHAKA/COX’S BAZAR, Bangladesh, 11 March 2025 – The number of children needing emergency treatment for severe acute malnutrition in the Rohingya refugee camps in Bangladesh has surged by 27 per cent in February 2025 compared to the same period last year, as worsening conditions push more young children into life-threatening hunger.

NEW YORK, 5 March 2025 – “Announced and anticipated funding cuts will limit UNICEF’s ability to reach millions of children in dire need.

NEW YORK, 4 March 2025 – Armed men are raping and sexually assaulting children, including infants as young as one, amid the nationwide conflict rippling across Sudan.

London, 3 March 2025 - The UK Committee for UNICEF (UNICEF UK) welcomes the Concluding Observations of the UN Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights on the UK, published today.  

GOMA, DR Congo, 3 March 2025 – UNICEF and its partners in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) are providing life-saving clean water supplies to 700,000 people a day – around 364,000 children – in the main eastern city of Goma after breaks in the water supply during fighting.

NEW YORK / AMMAN, 3 March 2025 – UNICEF is warning that the stoppage of aid deliveries into the Gaza Strip will quickly lead to devastating consequences for children and families across Gaza who are struggling to survive.

GENEVA/BEIRUT, 28 February 2024 – “I am speaking to you this morning from Beirut to share alarming findings of the new UNICEF survey we conducted in January 2025, after more than a year of war and bombardment.

GENEVA, 28 February 2025 – “In just one month, January this year, armed groups destroyed 47 schools in Haiti’s capital. With 284 schools destroyed in 2024, the relentless attacks on education are accelerating, leaving hundreds of thousands of children without a place to learn.  

PORT SUDAN, 27 February 2025 – More than 500 children are among the 2,700 cholera cases, that have been reported in Sudan’s White Nile State between 1 January and 24 February 2025, according to health authorities. The outbreak has already killed at least 65 people including ten children. In response, UNICEF, together with the Federal Ministry of Health and humanitarian partners, is scaling up a multisectoral response to prevent further spread of the disease and protect vulnerable children.

GOMA, DR Congo, 26 February 2025 – UNICEF is deeply concerned by the significant increase in reports of grave violations against children in parts of the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). The number of incidents has tripled since the latest escalation of violence which began on 24 January 2025.

“We are deeply concerned by the decision taken by the UK Government today to reduce the aid budget even further, and the impact this will have on the world’s most vulnerable children. 

MIAMI/NEW YORK, 21 February 2025 - The Inter Miami CF Foundation and UNICEF announced a new global partnership today that will support access to quality education programmes for children in five countries across Latin America and the Caribbean.

NEW YORK, 21 February 2025 – ""I am deeply saddened by the confirmation of the deaths of Ariel and Kfir Bibas in the Gaza Strip, and call for the urgent return of their mother and all hostages held in Gaza. On behalf of UNICEF, I offer my heartfelt condolences to their loved ones, including the children’s father.

ZAPORIZHZHIA/GENEVA, 21 February 2025 – “A staggering one in five children in Ukraine reported losing a close relative or friend since the escalation of the war three years ago. One in three children reported feeling so hopeless and sad that they couldn't do their usual activities.

KYIV/NEW YORK, 21 February 2025 – One in five children in Ukraine has reported losing a close relative or friend since the escalation of war three years ago, according to survey data released today by UNICEF.