UNICEF Press Office

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

UNICEF Press Office

2/17/2025, 2:47:33 PM

“This is a desperate situation for children.” Thousands more children are deprived of education as the crisis in eastern #DRCongo escalates. An additional 330,000 children are now out of school with fears many may never return to education. https://www.unicef.org/press-releases/thousands-more-children-deprived-education-crisis-eastern-dr-congo-escalates

UNICEF Press Office

2/19/2025, 4:53:27 PM

A mass polio vaccination campaign is set to take place in Gaza from 22 to 26 February 2025, targeting over 591,000 children under 10 years old. This follows the discovery of poliovirus in wastewater, indicating ongoing transmission that puts children at risk. The poor living conditions in Gaza, including overcrowding and damaged water and sanitation systems, make it easier for the virus to spread. While previous vaccination rounds in 2024 reached over 95 per cent of the target population, some children in areas like Jabalia, Beit Lahiya, and Beit Hanoun missed their vaccinations due to access challenges during the conflict. The recent ceasefire has improved access for health workers, raising hopes that this campaign will reach all children, including those previously missed. https://www.unicef.org/press-releases/mass-polio-vaccination-campaign-continue-gaza-strip

UNICEF Press Office

2/18/2025, 4:42:18 PM

"Children in Haiti continue to suffer unimaginable horrors and face attacks by armed groups. On 11 February, a student was killed by stray bullets while sitting in his classroom, a place that should be safe. This past weekend, a two-month-old baby was reportedly burned alive in front of his mother, a heinous atrocity that should shake the world to its core. This is beyond violence—it is an assault on humanity itself." "We call upon the national authorities and international community to act now. Protect children in Haiti. Defend their rights. Ensure their safety. Every child deserves to live without fear. The world cannot remain silent." --- Geeta Narayan, UNICEF Representative in Haiti

UNICEF Press Office

2/13/2025, 11:47:13 AM

“I am deeply alarmed by the intensifying violence in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo and its impact on children and families. In North and South Kivu provinces, we are receiving horrific reports of grave violations against children by parties to the conflict, including rape and other forms of sexual violence at levels surpassing anything we have seen in recent years.” https://www.unicef.org/press-releases/children-eastern-democratic-republic-congo-increasingly-exposed-sexual-violence

UNICEF Press Office

2/12/2025, 3:28:36 PM

“In the first two months of 2025, a total of 13 Palestinian children have been killed in the West Bank." https://www.unicef.org/press-releases/statement-unicef-regional-director-middle-east-and-north-africa-edouard-beigbeder-0

UNICEF Press Office

2/6/2025, 2:45:21 PM

As Thailand’s capital, Bangkok, grapples with unhealthy levels of air pollution, leading to school closures and widespread health concerns, UNICEF’s latest analysis sheds light on the devastating impact of toxic air on children across East Asia and the Pacific. Air pollution, which peaks in many parts of the region during the dry season from now until April, is linked to over 100 deaths in children under five every day. The analysis reveals that all children in East Asia and the Pacific – 500 million children in total – live in countries with unhealthy levels of air pollution. https://www.unicef.org/press-releases/silent-killer-over-100-daily-deaths-children-under-five-linked-air-pollution-east

UNICEF Press Office

2/6/2025, 12:06:27 PM

“Female genital mutilation is a violation of human rights that inflicts deep and lifelong physical, emotional, and psychological scars on girls and women. This harmful practice affects more than 230 million girls and women today. An estimated 27 million more girls could endure this violation of their rights and dignity by 2030 if we do not take action now. “Today, on the International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation, and in response to the theme "Stepping up the pace: Strengthening alliances and building movements to end female genital mutilation", UNFPA, UNICEF and WHO reaffirm our commitment to work together with countries and communities to end this harmful practice — once and for all.” https://www.unicef.org/press-releases/strengthening-alliances-and-building-movements-end-female-genital-mutilation