UNICEF Press Office

UNICEF Press Office

6/3/2025, 3:02:10 PM

"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 convoy, made up of 15 trucks, was attempting to reach children and families in famine-affected Al Fasher with life-saving food and nutrition supplies. Following months of escalating violence, hundreds of thousands of people in Al Fasher - many of them children - are at high risk of malnutrition and starvation if supplies do not urgently reach them." https://www.unicef.org/press-releases/wfpunicef-humanitarian-aid-convoy-carrying-life-saving-supplies-attacked-sudans

UNICEF Press Office

6/11/2025, 11:55:04 AM

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. The latest data show a total reduction of over 20 million children since 2020, reversing an alarming spike between 2016 and 2020. Despite this positive trend, the world has missed its target of eliminating child labour by 2025. https://www.unicef.org/press-releases/despite-progress-child-labour-still-affects-138-million-children-globally-ilo-unicef

UNICEF Press Office

6/16/2025, 10:15:19 AM

“This weekend’s surge in violence across the Middle East signals a dangerous escalation. Children are once again paying the ultimate price. “Since Friday, an intense military escalation in the region has seen strikes on Iran and Israel hit residential areas, killing and injuring civilians – including children – and causing damage to civilian infrastructure." https://www.unicef.org/press-releases/statement-unicef-executive-director-catherine-russell-children-killed-alarming

UNICEF Press Office

5/27/2025, 11:23:37 PM

‘Unimaginable horrors’: more than 50,000 children reportedly killed or injured in the Gaza Strip Statement by UNICEF Regional Director for the Middle East and North Africa, Edouard Beigbeder https://www.unicef.org/press-releases/unimaginable-horrors-more-50000-children-reportedly-killed-or-injured-gaza-strip

UNICEF Press Office

5/29/2025, 9:53:47 AM

"We are not asking for the impossible. We are asking for international humanitarian law to be respected and applied; for a return to the functioning U.N.-led aid pipeline with safe and sustained humanitarian access through all available crossings; for the return of all remaining hostages; and for Hamas and Israel to agree to a durable cease-fire." UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell on Gaza in The New York Times today. https://www.nytimes.com/2025/05/29/opinion/gaza-aid-unicef-un.html?unlocked_article_code=1.K08.96rh.HV68hhO2O2ya&smid=url-share

UNICEF Press Office

5/29/2025, 11:13:23 PM

Over 130,000 additional children out of school in DR Congo’s Ituri province as violence escalates and aid shrinks https://www.unicef.org/press-releases/over-130000-additional-children-out-school-dr-congos-ituri-province-violence

UNICEF Press Office

5/26/2025, 6:50:17 PM

Horrific strikes in Ukraine over the last three days have reportedly killed at least three children in Zhytomyr, and injured at least 13 children across the country. “Ukraine's children have suffered for far too long. How many more futures must be stolen?" https://www.unicef.org/press-releases/horrific-strikes-ukraine-reportedly-kill-three-children-injure-least-13

UNICEF Press Office

2/21/2025, 10:48:36 AM

One in five children in Ukraine has reported losing a close relative or friend since the escalation of war three years ago, according to survey data released today by UNICEF. “For far too long, death and destruction have remained a constant in the lives of children in Ukraine,” said UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell. “This level of violence causes immense fear and suffering and disrupts every aspect of a child’s life.” https://www.unicef.org/press-releases/one-five-children-ukraine-has-lost-relative-or-friend-escalation-war-three-years-ago

UNICEF Press Office

2/26/2025, 3:08:21 PM

Reports of grave violations against children in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo tripled in last month “We are urgently calling on all parties to the conflict to immediately halt these appalling grave violations against children,” said Jean Francois Basse, UNICEF's acting Representative in DRC. “The conflict is tearing families apart, leading to widespread insecurity, and is rapidly undermining progress made over the last few years. Vulnerable children, including those living on the streets, tell us they are afraid for their lives.” https://www.unicef.org/press-releases/reports-grave-violations-against-children-eastern-democratic-republic-congo-tripled

UNICEF Press Office

2/19/2025, 5:16:41 PM

Public health emergencies, including outbreaks of cholera, mpox and, more recently, viral haemorrhagic fevers, are posing significant threats to the safety and wellbeing of millions of children in Eastern and Southern Africa, UNICEF said today. The high number of health crises, often worsened by climate shocks, is impacting already vulnerable communities and compounding risks to children in the region. https://www.unicef.org/press-releases/multiple-disease-outbreaks-heighten-public-health-emergencies-children-across