Press releases

Philip Goodwin, UNICEF UK Chief Executive said: “We’re so thrilled that our UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador, David Beckham, has been awarded a knighthood in the King’s Birthday Honours"

JUBA, 12 June 2025 – The population in two counties in South Sudan are at-risk of famine in the coming months, as conflict in Upper Nile state escalates, destroying homes, disrupting livelihoods, and impeding the delivery of humanitarian aid.

GENEVA/NEW YORK, 11 June 2025 – Nearly 138 million children were engaged in child labour in 2024, including around 54 million in hazardous work likely to jeopardize their health, safety, or development, according to new estimates released today by the International Labour Organization (ILO) and UNICEF.

Returning to a neonatal care unit for the first time since her own daughter was born prematurely, Oti reflected: “Seeing the work and meeting mums like Ouattara brought everything home.”

New analysis from the UK Committee for UNICEF (UNICEF UK) exposes the stark impact of deprivation on babies and young children’s life chances across England. It reveals that where a child is born and raised up to the age of five can influence their future potential.

The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) and UNICEF condemn an attack on a joint humanitarian convoy near Al Koma, North Darfur, last night. Five members of the convoy were killed, and several more people were injured. Multiple trucks were burned, and critical humanitarian supplies were damaged.

The Government must immediately remove the two-child limit and end the benefit cap to lift thousands of children out of poverty. Our research has shown children and families across the country are really struggling with parents borrowing money, skipping meals, children going without the essentials they need and starting school already behind their peers. Many are growing up in stressed and stretched households. Those most in need of support and protection continue to bear the brunt of difficult economic decisions.

TV, radio and podcast host Sam Thompson has teamed up with Olympic gold medallist and Soccer Aid for UNICEF stalwart Sir Mo Farah ahead of his ‘Match Ball Mission’ for Soccer Aid for UNICEF.

LONDON/FLORENCE, 14 May 2025 – Children in many of the world’s wealthiest countries saw marked declines in their academic performance, mental wellbeing, and physical health in the period since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to analysis published today by UNICEF Innocenti – Global Office of Research and Foresight.   UK joint second to last for teenage life satisfaction

06 May 2025 – Today, the leading child rights organisation, UNICEF, was announced as a Team and Charity Partner of the Clipper Race once again. The announcement came ahead of the 2025-26 race season, and marks a decade of commitment from the global yacht race to advancing child rights globally.

PORT-AU-PRINCE/ NEW YORK, 17 APRIL 2025 – Over one million children are facing critical levels of food insecurity in Haiti, UNICEF estimates. Persistent armed violence, repeated displacement, and lack of sufficient humanitarian access continue to threaten vulnerable families – while the risk of famine looms.

12 April 2025 – “Dozens of civilians, including at least 23 children, and several aid workers have reportedly been killed in North Darfur over the past few days.

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.

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.