Your Spring Supporter Update

Starting in March 2011, civil conflict and instability across Syria has caused widespread poverty, malnutrition and violence that forced families to flee. December 2024 turned a new chapter for Syrians after the government’s collapse.

Humanitarian needs are vast and growing as Syrians navigate the challenges of rebuilding their lives, and new setbacks from recent violence. Thanks to you, UNICEF continues to address children’s most urgent needs in Syria, ensuring access to healthcare, education and clean water.

Your support is also helping UNICEF assist families returning to Syria to check on their communities and loved ones. As they arrive at border points, we are assessing children’s nutrition (like Alaa in the photo), and providing supplies like drinking water, hygiene kits and sanitary items. Across Syria, UNICEF-supported mobile clinics are providing critical healthcare and nutrition services to children, and pregnant and breastfeeding women.

Mpox is a highly contagious disease that can cause serious illness and death among young children, especially those already weakened by malnutrition. In the DRC, children make up more than half the cases and around 80 per cent of fatalities.

Thanks to donor support, UNICEF is leading infection control, providing medical supplies and training healthcare workers in the DRC. We have set up mpox treatment and isolation units in busy health centres, offering free treatment for affected children. We’re also engaging with communities to prevent the spread of the virus.

UNICEF negotiated the lowest possible price for mpox vaccines and is helping deliver and administer up to 1 million doses. Every year, UNICEF helps vaccinate almost half of the world’s children. We are the single largest procurer of vaccines globally, which means your donation has the farthest possible reach to help protect lives from preventable deadly diseases.

As case numbers rise and needs grow, we must step up our efforts to contain the spread of mpox and make sure all children get the life-saving care they need.

Support from UNICEF donors like you helped Hoorain (now 5) receive hearing aids through a partnership with Punjab’s Special Education Department. Within a month, Hoorain was learning to say her family’s names and simple words like eyes and nose. UNICEF aims to reach more than 23,000 children in Punjab with assistive devices for disabilities, including fitting more than 3,500 children in Lahore with hearing aids.

Advanced hearing-aid technology, alongside follow-up care and counselling for families, can be a game changer for children with hearing impairments.

“Getting the hearing aids has made such a difference in her life,” says Hoorain’s father, Azeem. “In her last exams, she stood first in her class. I can see that my daughter has a bright future because of the way she has started to learn.”

This is what motivates and inspires him to come to work every day as an Education Specialist on UNICEF’s Emergency Response Team.

“Education is much more than learning,” Sarhane says. “It brings hope, protection and a sense of normalcy for children, especially during a crisis.”

UNICEF is committed to helping children learn during emergencies. By setting up temporary learning spaces, we help protect children from exploitation and give them a safe place to process trauma. We also use innovative digital and technological solutions to ensure every child can access learning, even in the most challenging circumstances.

We are committed to helping children survive and be protected now and for years to come. Our presence in 190 countries before, during and after emergencies delivers a stable continuum of support. For example, we help rebuild and strengthen water and sanitation systems after climate disasters like last year’s catastrophic flooding in East Africa, and the devastation of Typhoon Yagi in Asia. Not only does this help provide clean water and sanitation in the aftermath, it also helps vital systems withstand future climate shocks so they can serve children and families in the long term.

Monthly donations help us provide immediate, life-saving assistance and rebuild for the long term. With monthly donations, your generosity helps us to:

-    Plan ahead. Consistent funding means we can allocate resources more effectively, ensuring that children receive the help they need, month after month.
-    Ensure stability. A predictable income means we can maintain essential programs without the risk of running out of funds.
-    Maximize impact. Knowing we will receive a certain amount each month allows us to set and achieve realistic goals.

We thank our monthly supporters with all our hearts!