Press Releases

Statement by UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell on the escalating humanitarian crisis in Sudan

Publication date: May 4, 2023

The situation in Sudan is teetering toward catastrophe, and children are increasingly caught in the crossfire.

On 27 April 2023, as conflict escalates in Sudan, refugees arrive in the Chadian village of Koufroun, which is situated on the Chad-Sudan border.

Global polycrisis creating uphill battle to end child marriage – UNICEF

Publication date: May 3, 2023

Slowing momentum toward eliminating child marriage most acute in sub-Saharan Africa, which is now over 200 years from ending child marriage; 1 in 4 young women still married before 18th birthday in South Asia despite progress

Getrude Muge, 17, photographed at her home is a student at Tik Seed Secondary School .

Fighting in Sudan rapidly worsening an already dire humanitarian situation for children, warn UNICEF, Save the Children and World Vision

Publication date: April 27, 2023

As violent clashes in Sudan continue, UNICEF and the child-focused NGOs World Vision and Save the Children are highlighting the danger to children if the current ceasefire is not respected by all parties.

On 19 April 2023, people flee their neighbourhoods amid fighting between the army and paramilitaries in Khartoum, Sudan.

90 per cent of adolescent girls and young women in low-income countries are offline - UNICEF

Publication date: April 27, 2023

On International Day of Girls in ICT, new analysis warns that girls* are being left behind in an increasingly connected world.

Children learn with tablets and computers in the Public Melen School of Yaoundé, the capital of Cameroon.

Statement by UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell on the life of Goodwill Ambassador Harry Belafonte

Publication date: April 25, 2023

We mourn the loss of Harry Belafonte, one of the world’s greatest actors, singers, producers, and champions of human rights – especially children.

UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador Harry Belafonte waves to onlookers, standing amidst a crowd of children at the Kihumbuini primary school in Kangemi, a poor neighbourhood in Nairobi, the capital.

Escalating violence in Sudan puts millions of children at risk

Publication date: April 20, 2023

UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell’s statement on situation of children in Sudan

New UNICEF report shows decline in confidence in childhood vaccines in Canada during COVID-19

Publication date: April 19, 2023

New data reveals 67 million children globally missed out on one or more vaccinations over three years due to service disruption caused by strained health systems and diversion of scarce resources, conflict and fragility, and decreased confidence.

On 18 August 2022 in Kraków, Poland, 6-year-old Mykyta receives his immunizations from Nurse Ewelina Tytula at the UNIMED medical center.

"Devastating Reality": 9 years after Chibok abductions, children in Northeast Nigeria continue to suffer the brutal consequences of conflict

Publication date: April 14, 2023

Nine years after 276 schoolgirls were abducted in the middle of the night from their dormitory in Chibok, Nigeria, 96 girls remain in captivity, and thousands more children have been subjected to grave violations of their rights.

"Devastating Reality": 9 years after Chibok abductions, children in Northeast Nigeria continue to suffer the brutal consequences of conflict

Two months on from Türkiye earthquakes, enormous challenges remain for 2.5 million children in need of humanitarian support

Publication date: April 6, 2023

Additional assistance is needed as many children in Türkiye face threat of poverty, child labour or child marriage

Children attending lessons at a UNICEF-supported tent classroom in a temporary shelter in Antakya, after two devastating earthquakes hit south-east Türkiye.

Taliban’s decision to ban Afghan women from working with the United Nations will cost children’s lives

Publication date: April 5, 2023

Statement by UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell