Press releases

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.

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.

EAST JERUSALEM/AMMAN/GENEVA/NEW YORK, 19 February 2024 - The emergency polio outbreak response in the Gaza Strip is continuing, with a mass vaccination campaign scheduled from 22 to 26 February 2025. The novel oral polio vaccine type 2 (nOPV2) will be administered to over 591,000 children under 10 years of age to protect them from polio. This campaign follows the recent detection of poliovirus in wastewater samples in Gaza, signaling ongoing circulation in the environment putting children at risk.

13 February 2025 - Statement by UNICEF Executive Director, Catherine Russell, highlights how children in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo are increasingly exposed to sexual violence, abduction and recruitment.

London 24th January – To mark the International Day of Education, today UNICEF UK is announcing that since 2017 the charity has received £20 million thanks to funds raised by players of People’s Postcode Lottery, supporting education in emergencies programmes around the world.

NEW YORK, 24 January 2025 – At least 242 million students in 85 countries had their schooling disrupted by extreme climate events in 2024, including heatwaves, tropical cyclones, storms, floods, and droughts, exacerbating an existing learning crisis, according to a new UNICEF analysis released today.

DAMASCUS, 23 January 2025 – “During my five-day visit to Syria, I engaged with the Caretaker Authorities, communities, UN country team, partners, parents, and children in Damascus, Aleppo, and Idleb.

15 January 2024 - Statement by UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell on the announcement of a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip

AMMAN, 26 December 2024 – “In the final days of the year, there seems to be no end in sight to the deadly threats to children in Gaza. Over the past three days, at least eleven children have reportedly been killed in attacks. Now, we are also witnessing children dying from the cold and a lack of adequate shelter.

PORT VILA, Vanuatu, 18 December 2024 – An estimated 40,000 children are in need of humanitarian assistance after a devastating 7.3 magnitude earthquake hit Vanuatu on December 17, followed by several major aftershocks.

DAMASCUS, 17 December 2024 - “Today, I concluded my visit to Damascus, Homs, Hama, Aleppo and Idlib where I witnessed the dire situation for Syria’s children. After 14 years of war, millions of children have known nothing but conflict, forcing them to grow up far too quickly. Yet there is hope and an opportunity for a better future.

MAPUTO/NEW YORK, 17 December 2024 – Heavy winds and rainfall from Cyclone Chido have damaged or destroyed over 35,000 homes and affected more than 90,000 children across Cabo Delgado province, in northern Mozambique, after the storm made landfall on Sunday.

NEW YORK, 13 December 2024 – “Yesterday, in yet another devastating attack on Nuseirat camp, in central Gaza, 33 people were reportedly killed – including at least eight children – and 50 wounded by airstrikes. The latest violence adds to a staggering figure of more than 160 children reportedly killed in Gaza in a little over a month. That is an average of four children every day since the beginning of November.  

GENEVA/LAMPEDUSA, Italy, 12 December 2024 – "An 11-year-old girl was rescued yesterday from a shipwreck off the coast of Italy’s Lampedusa. All 44 other people on board, including women and children, are believed to have drowned.

NEW YORK, 11 December 2024 — Over 500 million – or close to 8 in 10 - children under five have had their births registered in the last five years, reflecting notable strides in securing legal identity worldwide, according to a new UNICEF report released today.