Press Releases
An estimated 40,000 children impacted in the aftermath of a devastating earthquake in Vanuatu
NEW YORK (December 18, 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...
Peace must prevail for Syria’s children
NEW YORK (December 17, 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...
At least 90,000 children impacted as Cyclone Chido hits hard in Mozambique
NEW YORK (December 17, 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...
Statement by UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell on children and the continued bloodshed in the Gaza Strip
NEW YORK (December 13, 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...
Child found floating alone in the sea, wearing a life jacket made of tire tubes, after 44 other passengers on her boat believed to have drowned
NEW YORK (December 12, 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...
Birth registration steadily increases worldwide, but 150 million children still ‘invisible’ - UNICEF
NEW YORK (December 11, 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...
Statement by UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell on the impact of the situation in Syria on children
NEW YORK (December 8, 2024) – “With the situation in Syria rapidly evolving, UNICEF reiterates the UN Secretary-General’s appeal for calm, to refrain from violence, and to protect the rights of all...
Statement by UNICEF Middle East and North Africa Regional Director Edouard Beigbeder, on the killing of children in Nuseirat and Al Mawasi, Gaza
NEW YORK (December 6, 2024) – “ In a single day of bloodshed, children in different parts of the Gaza strip were reportedly killed while sheltering inside their tents or desperately queueing for a...
Remarks by UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell at the launch of UNICEF’s 2025 Humanitarian Action for Children Appeal
NEW YORK (December 5, 2024) - “Excellencies, colleagues … welcome to the launch of UNICEF’s 2025 Humanitarian Action for Children appeal. “Let me start by thanking you – UNICEF’s friends and donors –...
UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador Ishmael Beah meets children and young people trapped in world’s biggest child displacement crisis
NEW YORK (December 5, 2024) – UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador Ishmael Beah travelled to Sudan this week to meet with children and families affected by the conflict that has devastated the country for the...