Press Releases

Projected number of severely malnourished Somali children up 50 percent

Publication date: May 2, 2017

Somali children face triple threat of drought, disease and displacement

UNICEF Advocate Ishmael Beah helps give a voice to young people affected by the conflict in Syria

Publication date: April 27, 2017

“Young people who survive war have an amazing ability to persevere and become champions of peace”

UNICEF reaches almost half of the world’s children with life-saving vaccines

Publication date: April 26, 2017

Despite progress, millions of children still miss out on life-saving immunization

Race against time to save millions of lives in Yemen

Publication date: April 24, 2017

The continuing violence in Yemen is fueling one of the worst hunger crises in the world, with nearly seven million people not knowing where their next meal will come from and in desperate need of food assistance. Nearly 2.2 million children are malnourished, including half a million who are severely malnourished and at imminent risk of death if they do not receive urgent care and specialized treatment.

1.5 million children affected by violence in Kasai region of Democratic Republic of Congo

Publication date: April 21, 2017

The crisis in the Greater Kasaï region of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is having a devastating impact on children, UNICEF warned today. More than 1.5 million children, including 600,000 who have already been displaced from their homes, are at risk due to the extreme violence.

More than 150 children estimated to have died taking Central Mediterranean migration route this year - UNICEF

Publication date: April 21, 2017

According to UNICEF estimates, more than 150 children have died crossing the Central Mediterranean from North Africa to Italy so far this year. Yet the true number of child casualties is almost certainly higher given that many children on the move are unaccompanied, so their deaths often go unreported.

Statement by Anthony Lake, UNICEF Executive Director, on reported child killings in Syria

Publication date: April 16, 2017

After six years of war and human carnage in Syria ... six years of heartbreak for so many Syrian families... there comes a new horror that must break the heart of anyone who has one. More than 60 children reportedly killed in an attack on a bus convoy yesterday outside Aleppo. A convoy of families who for so long had already known so much suffering. Now the survivors must bear such a new and terrible loss.

Star Wars: Force for Change celebrates 40 years of Star Wars with epic fundraising event

Publication date: April 11, 2017

Star Wars: Force For Change in collaboration with Omaze will launch the Star Wars “Past, Present and Future” fundraising campaign to benefit UNICEF and Starlight Children’s Foundation. The campaign is themed around the timeless appeal of Star Wars, with experiences inspired by the saga’s past, present, and future. Lucky winners will receive prizes, like the chance to appear in the upcoming Han Solo movie, tickets to the world premiere of Star Wars: The Last Jedi, or, an overnight stay at the fabled Skywalker Ranch.

Nationwide immunization campaign protects five million children against polio in war-torn Yemen

Publication date: April 8, 2017

Support from the World Bank, WHO and UNICEF critical to reach every vulnerable child

At least 27 children killed in Idlib attack - UNICEF

Publication date: April 6, 2017

At least 27 children were confirmed killed in the attack in Idlib, north-west of Syria, UNICEF said today. A further 546 people, among them many children, have been injured. Casualty figures are expected to rise.