Press Releases

Under fire and freezing, children in Ukraine endure the harshest winter of war

Publication date: January 16, 2026

This is a summary of what was said by UNICEF Representative to Ukraine, Munir Mammadzade, to whom quoted text may be attributed – at today's press briefing at the Palais des Nations in Geneva.

A young girl stands in a dimly lit, narrow concrete passage. She wears a pink polka-dotted vest, holding a stuffed toy, with a somber expression.

During Gaza’s Ceasefire, Children Keep Being Killed

Publication date: January 13, 2026

This is a summary of what was said by UNICEF Spokesperson, James Elder, to whom quoted text may be attributed – at today's press briefing at the Palais des Nations in Geneva

A woman in a purple headscarf and dark clothing holds a young child in a striped sweater. They stand in front of tents, conveying a somber tone.

Human Concern International and UNICEF Canada partner to provide emergency life-saving support to children in Gaza as violence continues

Publication date: January 12, 2026

Today, Human Concern International (HCI) and UNICEF Canada announced a new partnership to support emergency programming for children in Gaza who continue to face violence amid a fragile ceasefire.

Mahmuda Khan, CEO of Human Concern International and Sevaun Palvetzian, President and CEO of UNICEF Canada pose for a photo in front of HCI and UNICEF Canada banners.

UNICEF calls for the protection of children and adolescents amid public unrest in Iran

Publication date: January 11, 2026

Statement by UNICEF Regional Director for the Middle East and North Africa Edouard Beigbeder

Children in Sudan have endured “1,000 days of agony”

Publication date: January 9, 2026

Statement by UNICEF Regional Director for the Middle East and North Africa Edouard Beigbeder.

A small child sits on an adult's lap, holding a packet of nutritional paste to their mouth. The child's expression is thoughtful. The adult wears a patterned brown garment.

Inter-Agency Standing Committee (IASC) Statement, Revoke planned international NGO ban, humanitarian leaders urge Israeli authorities

Publication date: January 5, 2026

We urge the Israeli authorities to reconsider their plan to ban many of the international NGOs operating in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (OPT). International NGOs are central to humanitarian operations in OPT, collectively delivering close to $1 billion dollars in assistance each year.

Statement by UNICEF Regional Director for the Middle East and North Africa Edouard Beigbeder on the death of children in the Gaza Strip due to severe winter weather conditions

Publication date: December 31, 2025

This tragedy underscores the extreme vulnerability of children in Gaza’s hardest-hit areas, where the near-total destruction of homes and water and sewage infrastructure has left families exposed to the elements.

Nutrition survey finds unprecedented level of child malnutrition in part of Sudan’s North Darfur

Publication date: December 30, 2025

Comprehensive nutrition survey in Um Baru locality found more than 50 per cent of children under five acutely malnourished

A child's arm is measured with a MUAC tape by two adults, wearing a red and white garment. The scene conveys care and urgency in a healthcare context.

Sexual violence against children “entrenched” and rising across Democratic Republic of the Congo – UNICEF

Publication date: December 30, 2025

More than 35,000 cases of child rape and sexual assault recorded nationwide in 2025.

UN agencies welcome news that famine has been pushed back in the Gaza Strip, but warn fragile gains could be reversed without increased and sustained support

Publication date: December 19, 2025

FAO, UNICEF, WFP and WHO say hunger, malnutrition, disease and the scale of agricultural destruction remain alarmingly high.