Press releases

NEW YORK/GENEVA, 6 February 2025 – “Female genital mutilation is a violation of human rights that inflicts deep and lifelong physical, emotional, and psychological scars on girls and women. This harmful practice affects more than 230 million girls and women today. An estimated 27 million more girls could endure this violation of their rights and dignity by 2030 if we do not take action now.

BANGKOK, 6 February 2025 – As Thailand’s capital, Bangkok, grapples with unhealthy levels of air pollution, leading to school closures and widespread health concerns, UNICEF’s latest analysis sheds light on the devastating impact of toxic air on children across East Asia and the Pacific.

PORT SUDAN/AMMAN/NEW YORK, 5 February 2025 – “Shelling in Kadugli, South Kordofan State, killed 21 children and maimed 29 on Monday, 3 February. According to reports, at least 11 children were killed in shelling on a livestock market in El Fasher, Darfur State, and reportedly another eight children were killed and six injured in shelling on Sabreen market in Khartoum State on Saturday, 2 February

DAKAR/NEW YORK, 31 January 2025 – Global content creator Khaby Lame has been announced as UNICEF’s newest Goodwill Ambassador. The appointment – made at an event in Lame’s birth country Senegal – follows a four-day visit to meet children and young people who are driving positive change in their communities.  

KINSHASA, 29 January 2024 – UNICEF is gravely concerned about the rapidly deteriorating humanitarian situation in eastern DR Congo resulting from the recent intensification of conflict and surging numbers of displaced people. 

NEW YORK/AMMAN/PORT SUDAN, 28 January 2025 – At least one girl and three boys were reportedly killed and three boys injured in an attack on the Saudi Hospital in El Fasher, in Sudan’s North Darfur, that took place on Friday. In an illustration of the relentless dangers that children face, the children were among the patients receiving care in the hospital’s emergency ward, being treated for injuries resulting from previous bombings in the area.

NEW YORK, 27 January 2025 – UNICEF has accelerated the distribution of supplies and services to children in the Gaza Strip, with more than 350 trucks entering in the first week of the long-awaited ceasefire.

NEW YORK, 27 January 2025 – UNICEF has accelerated the distribution of supplies and services to children in the Gaza Strip, with more than 350 trucks entering in the first week of the long-awaited ceasefire.

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

PORT SUDAN, 15 January 2025 – “As I wrap up my visit to Sudan, where the conflict rages on unabated, at least 120 people were reportedly killed following shelling in Omdurman on 13 and 14 January. Early reports indicate that there were children among the casualties. Just days before, between 7 and 8 January, 23 children were reportedly killed and nine injured by shelling in Khartoum State. These are only a few examples of unconscionable violence against children. Since the conflict broke out in April 2023, thousands of children have been killed or injured, and sexual violence and child recruitment have been widely reported, with devastating consequences.

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.

ROME/NEW YORK, 24 December 2024 – Four months after famine was first confirmed in Zamzam camp in Sudan’s North Darfur state, more areas in North Darfur and the Western Nuba mountains have been identified as experiencing famine conditions, as access to food and nutrition for millions of people across the country continues to deteriorate, the World Food Programme (WFP) and UNICEF warned today.

AMMAN/GENEVA, 20 December 2024 – “Children in Gaza are cold, sick and traumatized. Hunger and malnutrition, and the dire living conditions more broadly, continue to put the lives of children at risk. Right now, over 96% of women and children in Gaza cannot meet their basic nutritional needs. Most are surviving on rationed flour, lentils, pasta, and canned food—a diet that slowly compromises their health.

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.