Press releases
Coronavirus: Number of children living in household poverty to soar by up to 86 million by end of year
28 May 2020 – The economic fallout of the Coronavirus pandemic could push up to 86 million more children into household poverty by the end of 2020, an increase of 15 per cent, according to a new analysis released today by Save the Children and UNICEF.
Food crisis likely to worsen in the Middle East and North Africa as Coronavirus continues
27 MAY 2020 - “Governments and partners across the Middle East and North Africa Region (MENA) are working around the clock to protect communities from the Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19).
At least 80 million children under one at risk of diseases such as diphtheria, measles and polio as Coronavirus disrupts routine vaccination efforts, warn Gavi, WHO and UNICEF
22 May 2020 – Coronavirus is disrupting life-saving immunization services around the world, putting millions of children – in rich and poor countries alike – at risk of diseases like diphtheria, measles and polio.
UNICEF reaches nearly 150 million people with information on coronavirus across the Middle East and North Africa
21 May 2020 – Nearly 150 million people, a third of the region’s population, were reached with information to help them combat coronavirus in the Middle East and North Africa in the past eight weeks.
At least 19 million children at imminent risk as Cyclone Amphan makes landfall in Bangladesh and India
20 May 2020 – At least 19 million children in parts of Bangladesh and India are at imminent risk from flash flooding, storm surges and heavy rain as Cyclone Amphan makes landfall today, UNICEF has warned.
Decline in vaccination rates in DRC, Statement by Marixie Mercado, UNICEF Spokesperson at the Palais des Nations in Geneva
15 May 2020 - Decline in vaccination rates in DRC, Statement by Marixie Mercado, UNICEF Spokesperson at the Palais des Nations in Geneva
PALAIS BRIEFING NOTE on UNICEF’s COVID19 response in Cox’s Bazar – 15 May 2020
15 May 2020 - This is a summary of what was said by UNICEF spokesperson Marixie Mercado – to whom quoted text may be attributed – at today's press briefing at the Palais des Nations in Geneva.
JOINT STATEMENT ON LIBYA
13 May 2020 - Conflict and the COVID-19 pandemic present a significant threat to life in Libya. The health and safety of the country’s entire population are at risk.
Coronavirus could increase child deaths by 6,000 a day, UNICEF warns
13 MAY 2020 – An additional 6,000 children around the world could die every day from preventable causes over the next six months as the Coronavirus pandemic weakens health systems and disrupts routine services, UNICEF said today as it launches the biggest ever appeal for children in its 73 year history.
Lifesaving services must be maintained for pregnant mothers and babies born during coronavirus pandemic -UNICEF
07 May 2020 - With 116 million births expected in the 9 months following the declaration of the coronavirus pandemic, UNICEF warns of impact of strain on health systems and medical supply chains. Maternity services in the UK under “considerable strain”, warns charity
85 children are released from prison in South Sudan
7 May 2020 – 85 juveniles are released from detention in South Sudan to decongest prisons as a COVID-19 prevention measure, UNICEF said today.
Statement in response to the Food Foundation report on family food insecurity ...
The Government must urgently adopt a more coordinated approach to address this food crisis and resolve the increasing challenges facing children during the pandemic.
Despite Coronavirus pandemic, routine vaccination of children continues across the Middle East and North Africa
April 2020 – Despite the Coronavirus outbreak, most countries in the Middle East and North Africa continue with routine immunization for children while applying strict precautionary health measures.
UNICEF Palais Briefing Note – UNICEF calls for support to unlock massive backlog in vaccine shipments
1st May – UNICEF is calling for support to unlock a massive backlog in vaccine shipments due to unprecedented logistical constraints related to COVID-19 mitigation measures including lockdowns in some countries.
Statement from Sacha Deshmukh, Executive Director of Unicef UK
29 April 2020 - Responding to today’s news that the UK government have pledged further funding to GAVI, the vaccine alliance, to protect up to 75 million children against deadly diseases.