Press releases

PORT SUDAN, 12 March 2025 – Reported drone attacks struck a secondary school and a primary healthcare centre in Shukairi village in White Nile State, Sudan, yesterday morning. At least eight students, four of them under the age of 18, and a health worker were killed. Many more were injured, and the schools in the locality have been closed as a result.

NEW YORK, 11 March 2026 – “Ten days into the intensifying conflict in the Middle East, the situation is becoming catastrophic for millions of children across the region. Since 28 February, more than 1,100 children have been reported injured or killed in the violence. This includes 200 children reportedly killed in Iran, 91 in Lebanon, four in Israel and one in Kuwait. These numbers will likely climb as the violence intensifies and spreads.

NEW YORK, 11 March 2026 – “UNICEF is devastated and outraged that our colleague Karine Buisset was killed in a reported drone strike on a building housing aid workers in Goma, Democratic Republic of Congo.

ISLAM QALA/AFGHANISTAN/GENEVA, 10 March 2026 – “The impact of escalating conflict in the Middle East is creating immediate risks for children across borders. Right now, in Afghanistan, families are arriving at the Islam Qala and other crossings coming from Iran, many distressed after an unexpected journey and uncertain about what lies ahead as they return to their homeland. For UNICEF, the central concern is simple: what this means for children.

A-Listers out in force as world’s biggest celebrity football match set to celebrate twentieth anniversary – and smas massive £121m donations record!

"UNICEF is deeply alarmed by new reports that at least five children have been killed and three others injured in deadly airstrikes that hit Ponnagyun Township, Rakhine State, and Myinmu Township, Sagaing region between 23 and 24 February.

This is a summary of what was said by UNICEF Chief of Communication in the State of Palestine Jonathan Crickx – to whom quoted text may be attributed – at today's press briefing at the Palais des Nations in Geneva

This is a summary of what was said by UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador Muzoon Almellehan – to whom quoted text may be attributed – at today's press briefing at the Palais des Nations in Geneva

UNICEF is deeply concerned by the reports that children arrested in connection with the recent public unrest in Iran remain in detention.

The lives and safety of children in Sudan continue to be threatened by unchecked violence. On Monday 16 February, at least 15 children were reportedly killed and 10 wounded after a drone strike on a displacement camp in Al Sunut, West Kordofan.

KHERSON/GENEVA, 17 February 2026 – “One freezing night in late January, Kateryna grabbed her two children and ran into the corridor. The explosions were louder than normal by Kherson standards and suddenly a blast ripped through their home.  

ANTANANARIVO, 17 February 2026 — At least 6,000 children have been displaced and nearly 29,000 are unable to attend school in the aftermath of Cyclone Gezani, which struck eastern Madagascar on 10 February with winds exceeding 200 km/h. The second cyclone to hit the country in just two weeks, Gezani has affected more than 270,000 people and displaced over 16,000, according to preliminary reports, many of them children.

GENEVA/KYIV, 17 February 2026 – More than a third of Ukraine’s children – 2,589,900 – remain displaced as the war in Ukraine enters its fifth year. This includes more than 791,000 children inside Ukraine and nearly 1,798,900 children living as refugees outside the country. 

GENEVA/JUBA, 13 February 2026 – “Since late December 2025, a devastating escalation of violence has swept across northern and central parts of South Sudan. At least 280,000 people have been displaced in Jonglei State alone. The majority are women and children. For some, this is the second or third time they have been forced to run.

ISLAMABAD, 07 February 2026 - “UNICEF strongly condemns the devastating attack at a place of worship in Islamabad yesterday, that reportedly claimed the lives of six children. The killing of children is unconscionable and constitutes a grave violation of their rights.

NEW YORK, 6 February 2026 – In 2026 alone, an estimated 4.5 million girlsare at risk of undergoing female genital mutilation.

NEW YORK, 4 February 2026 – “UNICEF is increasingly alarmed by reports of a rapid rise in the volume of AI-generated sexualised images circulating, including cases where photographs of children have been manipulated and sexualised.

JUBA, 03 February 2026 - More than 450,000 children are at risk of acute malnutrition as the hostilities are causing mass displacement and halting of critical health and nutrition services in Jonglei state, warned UNICEF in South Sudan.  

London, 27 January 2026 - “This announcement is a grave warning about the state of children’s health in the UK. When vaccination rates fall children are left painfully exposed to risks of serious illness, life-long complications, and even death.”