Press Releases

UNICEF statement on COVID-19 outbreak

Publication date: March 11, 2020

UNICEF has been preparing and responding to the epidemic of COVID-19 around the world, knowing that the virus could spread to children and families in any country or community

Scientists are at work in the VirPath university laboratory, classified as "P3" level of safety.

COVID-19: UNICEF, Red Cross, and WHO issue guidance to protect children and support safe school operations

Publication date: March 10, 2020

Guidance includes practical actions and checklists for administrators, teachers, parents and children

Lifeline for Syria’s children must continue, UNICEF chief says at end of Gaziantep trip

Publication date: March 9, 2020

UNICEF Executive Director Henrietta Fore has just concluded a two-day trip to Gaziantep, Turkey, where she visited the humanitarian logistics hub in Bab Al Hawa on the border with Syria. She also toured a Syrian refugee camp in Kahramanmaras.

ED Fore sits with children in a classroom in Turkey.

Statement by Charlotte Petri Gornitzka, UNICEF Deputy Executive Director for Partnerships, on coronavirus misinformation

Publication date: March 9, 2020

Misinformation during times of a health crisis can spread paranoia, fear, and stigmatization. It can also result in people being left unprotected or more vulnerable to the virus.

A little girl looks out a hospital window where she is being cared for while her family undergoes treatment for COVID19.

UNICEF, WFP chiefs wrap up two-day visit to Syria, see impact of conflict on children and families

Publication date: March 5, 2020

UN officials call for cessation of hostilities and protection of children as conflict is about to enter its 10th year.

A girl carries a baby in northwest Syria.

25 years of uneven progress: Despite gains in education, world still a violent, highly discriminatory place for girls

Publication date: March 4, 2020

Two and a half decades after the historic Beijing women’s conference, violence against women and girls still not only common, but accepted

Children and teachers killed as schools and kindergartens attacked in Idlib

Publication date: February 27, 2020

Statement attributable to Ted Chaiban, UNICEF Regional Director for the Middle East and North Africa

A classroom in Idlib is in ruins following an attack.

UNICEF provides cash support to more than 40,000 Lebanese children

Publication date: February 26, 2020

Lebanon’s deteriorating economic situation is threatening the livelihoods of the most vulnerable Lebanese households, putting children and young people’s education, protection and health at risk. UNICEF with partners have activated a cash assistance programme to support approximately 40,000 children from 15,000 Lebanese families.

Two children show off their UNICEF supplies in Lebanon.

15 child soldiers released in South Sudan

Publication date: February 26, 2020

15 children associated with armed forces and armed groups have been released in South Sudan. The boys ranging from 16 to 18 years of age were taken as prisoners of war during clashes in the northern parts of the country in 2019.

Two boys embrace at a ceremony for former child soldiers.

Louis Vuitton: More than 10 million US dollars to help the world’s most vulnerable children

Publication date: February 21, 2020

In the four years since the launch of its international partnership with UNICEF, the United Nations Children’s Fund, Louis Vuitton has raised more than 10 million US dollars through a global network of stores, customers and employees to support UNICEF’s programmes and help the world’s most vulnerable children.