Press Releases

3.7 million children in earthquake-affected Syria face catastrophic combination of threats, warns UNICEF Executive Director

Publication date: March 2, 2023

The 3.7 million children in affected areas of Syria who survived the powerful earthquakes that hit southern Türkiye and northern Syria on 6 February are facing several growing and potentially catastrophic threats, UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell warned today, at the end of a two-day visit to Syria.

On 19 February 2023, children in Killi Camp in Idlib province of Syria take part in recreational activities and psychosocial support sessions for children affected by the earthquake, provided by the specialized protection teams of UNICEF partner Shafak Organization.

Number of children without critical social protection increasing globally – ILO and UNICEF

Publication date: March 1, 2023

Multiple crises set to plunge more children into poverty creating an urgent need to scale-up social protection; new report warns

Awa Sobre, a 12 year old girl is very happy with her bicycle, in Dedougou, in the west of Burkina Faso.

2.5 million children in Türkiye need urgent humanitarian assistance

Publication date: February 28, 2023

2.5 million children in Türkiye need urgent humanitarian assistance, says UNICEF Executive Director, following two-day visit to Türkiye

A boy at the temporary shelter set up for the survivors of the 7.7 magnitude earthquake in Kahramanmaraş, Türkiye.

A woman dies every two minutes due to pregnancy or childbirth: UN agencies

Publication date: February 23, 2023

New data show major setbacks for maternal health in many parts of the world, highlighting stark disparities in healthcare access

Despite progress, giving birth in Viet Nam remains risky for many women and their babies.

War in Ukraine pushes generation of children to the brink, warns UNICEF

Publication date: February 21, 2023

Almost one year since the escalation of the war in Ukraine on February 24, 2022, a generation of children has experienced 12 months of violence, fear, loss and tragedy.

Oleksandr is on a walk in the courtyard with his two-year-old daughter Michelle in Saltivka, Ukraine.

Hundreds of thousands of children enduring desperate conditions: UNICEF

Publication date: February 14, 2023

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

Two friends reuniting after the earthquake in Hatay.

One week on from devastating earthquakes, millions of children remain in need of urgent humanitarian assistance

Publication date: February 13, 2023

4.6 million children are living in affected areas in Türkiye, with another 2.5 million children affected in Syria

Haiti: Armed violence against schools increases nine-fold in one year

Publication date: February 9, 2023

Children lost an average of one and a half school days per week in January

UNICEF Geneva Palais briefing note on the situation of children and families affected by the earthquakes in Türkiye and Syria

Publication date: February 7, 2023

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

On 6 February 2023, people gather around collapsed buildings as rescue teams look for survivors following an earthquake in the government-held Syrian city of Aleppo.

Thousands of children at risk after devastating earthquakes hit south-east Türkiye and Syria

Publication date: February 6, 2023

Thousands of children and families are at risk after two devastating earthquakes and dozens of aftershocks hit south-east Türkiye and Syria today.