Press releases
COVID-19: Scale of education loss ‘nearly insurmountable’, warns UNICEF
24 January 2022 – More than 635 million students remain affected by full or partial school closures. On the International Day of Education and as the COVID-19 pandemic nears its two-year mark, UNICEF shares the latest available data on the impact of the pandemic on children’s learning.
Nearly 850 children at immediate risk as violence continues in northeast Syria
23 January 2022 - A statement attributable to Bo Viktor Nylund, UNICEF Syria Representative as UNICEF calls for the release of children in detention, taking them through restorative justice and the return of foreign children in the northeast of Syria to their home countries.
Violence in Yemen rapidly escalates leaving a heavy toll on children
22 January 2022 - Statement attributable to Ted Chaiban, UNICEF Regional Director for the Middle East and North Africa, as the number of children reported killed doubles in one month in Yemen
Grave violations against children hits record high in Sudan
AMMAN, 19 January 2022 – “Over 120 grave violations against children have been verified across Sudan since the military coup on 25 October last year.
UNICEF enters supply agreements for COVID-19 oral antiviral medicine Molnupiravir
NEW YORK/COPENHAGEN, 18 January 2022 – UNICEF has signed several long term agreements (LTA) with suppliers for the procurement of the new antiviral medicine Molnupiravir.
UNICEF ready to support families and children in the aftermath of volcanic eruption and tsunami in Tonga
SUVA, FIJI (17 January 2022) - UNICEF Pacific is ready to work together with the Government of Tonga and its partners to ensure urgent life-saving support is provided to families and children in the aftermath of the volcanic eruption and tsunami.
Statement on the delivery of the billionth COVID-19 vaccine dose by COVAX
16th January 2022 “Overnight, a shipment of COVID-19 vaccines to Rwanda included the billionth dose supplied via COVAX. This is a remarkable milestone in the largest vaccine procurement and supply operation in history. Yet, with so many people still waiting to be offered a single dose, more needs to be done urgently.
Statement by Alice Akunga, UNICEF Afghanistan Representative a.i., on the death of eight children due to detonation of explosive remnant
KABUL, 11 January 2022 – “UNICEF is deeply saddened by the killing of eight children in the Lal Pur District, Nangarhar Province, Afghanistan, yesterday, when an explosive remnant of war detonated near a school. Four other children, who had been attending class, were also injured. All twelve children killed and injured were boys.
UNICEF condemns killing of at least four children during escalation of conflict in Myanmar
BANGKOK, 11 January 2022 – “UNICEF condemns the killing of at least four children, and the maiming of multiple others, during an escalation of conflict over the past week in Myanmar.
Children feared dead and injured in recent attacks on refugee and internal displacement camps in northern Ethiopia - UNICEF
9 January 2022 - Children feared dead and injured in recent attacks on refugee and internal displacement camps in northern Ethiopia - UNICEF
UNICEF calls for US$ 11M to respond to children’s needs affected by Typhoon Odette
24 December 2021 – UNICEF together with the UN and humanitarian community appeal for US$ 107 million to help children and families bounce back from the impact of the catastrophic Super Typhoon Odette (international name Rai).
Rising health risks for children across Afghanistan as disruption to health and nutrition services continues and winter sets in – UNICEF
22 December 2021 – Children across Afghanistan are increasingly vulnerable to disease and illness due to the deadly combination of rising malnutrition, an unprecedented food crisis, drought, disruptions to vital health and nutrition centres, lack of access to and poor quality of water and sanitation services, and crippling winter weather.
UNICEF sends supplies to areas impacted by Typhoon Odette
21 December 2021 – After Typhoon Odette (international name Rai) brought widespread destruction to the Philippines on 16 December, the needs of children and families in affected areas are becoming clear.
UNICEF concerned for children in the Philippines as Typhoon Rai/Odette strikes
16 December 2021 – Typhoon Odette (international name Rai) is expected to make landfall today in Surigao Provinces or the southern portion of Eastern Visasyas. Almost 16 million Filipinos are facing threats including strong winds, heavy rains, flooding, landslides, displacement and risk loss to life, home, livelihood and agriculture. Around 700,000 of them are vulnerable children.
Statement from Joanna Rea, Director of Advocacy for the UK Committee for UNICEF (UNICEF UK) in response to the launch of the UK Government’s new approach to Ending Preventable Deaths
The Government’s Ending Preventable Deaths Approach Paper has the potential to make a huge difference for children and families all over the world, averting millions of preventable deaths and creating stronger health systems and a healthier world for all.
UNICEF welcomes announcement of next Executive Director
10 December 2021 – UNICEF welcomes United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres’ announcement today that Catherine M. Russell will succeed Henrietta H. Fore as UNICEF Executive Director.
UNICEF to launch UN’s largest-ever NFT collection to mark 75th anniversary
NEW YORK, 10 December 2021 – UNICEF plans to sell 1,000 data-driven non-fungible tokens (NFTs), the UN’s largest-ever NFT collection to date, the UN children’s agency said today ahead of commemorations of UNICEF’s 75th anniversary.
UNICEF CELEBRATES 75 YEAR ANNIVERSARY BY RAISING OVER £750,000 AT THE FIRST EVER BLUE MOON GALA AT OUTERNET, LONDON
Thursday 9th December 2021 - UNICEF raises over £750,000 at Blue Moon Gala at Outernet, London for UNICEF 75th anniversary
COVID-19 ‘biggest global crisis for children in our 75-year history’ – UNICEF
9 December 2021 – COVID-19 has affected children at an unprecedented scale, making it the worst crisis for children UNICEF has seen in its 75-year history, the United Nations Children’s agency said in a report released today.
Up to 75,000 people living in a remote camp in eastern DRC facing ‘hellish conditions’
ITURI, Democratic Republic of the Congo, 8 December 2021 - Up to 75,000 displaced people – including 35,000 children - living in a remote and inaccessible hilltop camp for displaced people in the province of Ituri in the Democratic Republic of the Congo are braving “hellish conditions” without adequate food, shelter, protection, security and sanitation, UNICEF has warned.