Sanad, from Yemen, had severe acute malnutrition when he was only 4 months old – but thanks to supporters like you he’s recovered.
In 2024, thanks to the extraordinary generosity of people and partners across Ireland, UNICEF Ireland raised €32.5 million – a level of support that speaks volumes about the solidarity and empathy of the Irish public in a moment of immense humanitarian need. These funds helped deliver clean water, emergency food, healthcare, psychological social support, and child protection services for thousands of children and families caught in the crisis.
Looking ahead, UNICEF Ireland is focused on deepening our impact by building financial resilience, expanding our base of regular supporters, and growing the flexible funding UNICEF needs to operate equitably.
We will continue to strengthen our governance, safeguard transparency, and build new partnerships
2024 challenged all of us. But it also reaffirmed the power of solidarity, and the difference we can make together.
Going forward, we must remain focused on the road ahead, and the belief that every child deserves a fair chance, no matter where they are or what they face.
Download the reportTo every donor, volunteer, and partner: thank you. Your trust in us enables UNICEF to reach the children who need it most, quickly, fairly, and effectively.Paul Connolly, UNICEF Ireland Chairman
41 million people gained access to clean water & sanitation thanks to UNICEF supporters.
109.3 million children under 5 were treated for malnutrition with help from people like you.
3.6 million households received humanitarian cash assistance as a result of UNICEF’s kind supporters.
Every child, survives and thrives, with access to nutritious diets, quality primary health care, nurturing practices and essential supplies.
Sudan is now the epicentre of the world’s largest child displacement emergency. More than 5 million children have been forced from their homes since 2023.
UNICEF is responding across sectors: delivering lifesaving nutrition, restoring access to clean water, and supporting education wherever possible – even in the most dangerous and unstable conditions like Sudan.
Children like 7-month-old Genan are at the heart of the crisis. Born into conflict, Genan lost her mother at birth and, within days, was close to death from severe malnutrition. But thanks to a UNICEF-supported nutrition programme, Genan slowly regained her strength. In a country where 729,000 children under five are suffering from severe acute malnutrition, stories like Genan’s highlight the life-saving importance of swift, coordinated humanitarian action.
Every child, including adolescents, learns and acquires skills for the future.
In Afghanistan, the right to education is under assault, especially for girls. Since the Taliban banned secondary education for girls in 2021, the crisis has only deepened. In 2024, Afghanistan remained the only country in the world where girls are systematically barred from attending school beyond the primary level.
UNICEF works to support alternative education pathways, provide critical nutrition and health services, and strengthen protection systems to give children a safe, more hopeful path forward
In 2024, UNICEF significantly expanded its support for children in Afghanistan.
Among those benefitting is 9-year-old Arezo. She attends UNICEF-supported Community-Based Education (CBE) classes. CBE offers a flexible and inclusive model that brings education to children in their own villages. For Arezo, learning is now part of daily life. She no longer has to choose between safety and schooling.
Every child is protected from violence and exploitation.
In 2024, Lebanon faced one of the most destabilising chapters in its recent history. A sharp escalation in hostilities led to the country’s largest displacement crisis in decades.
Children like Two-year-old Ivana, from Deir Qanoun al-Nahr in of South Lebanon, were injured in the violence. She was playing on the balcony with her 7-year old sister, Rahaf, when their lives were forever changed. Their mother, Fatima, was preparing breakfast when a sudden airstrike struck nearby, engulfing their home in flames.
UNICEF’s response included the delivery of 167 metric tons of medical supplies, the establishment of mobile health units, and the provision of psychosocial support in shelters across the country. Journalist Patrick Freyne, visited Lebanon with UNICEF and his first-hand accounts helped raise awareness in Ireland, reinforcing the importance of international solidarity and support for UNICEF’s work on the ground.
Every child, has access to safe and equitable water, sanitation and hygiene services, and lives in a safe and sustainable climate and environment.
In 2024, Gaza was one of the most dangerous places in the world to be a child. Amid ongoing conflict, children have endured devastating loss, destruction, and displacement. Despite these extraordinary challenges, UNICEF is working to deliver safe water, repair damaged systems, and provide hygiene kits and emergency health supplies.
The personal experiences of children like Mohammad bring the human face of this crisis into sharp focus.
Each day, 11-year-old Mohammad walks more than two kilometres through the crowded streets of Rafah to secure food and clean water for his family. Through it all, Mohammad holds tight to his 3-month-old sister, Ruwaida. “When I hug my little sister, I feel happiness sweep through my body,” he says. “It helps me forget the destruction.”
Every child has access to social protection and lives free from poverty. In Ukraine, the ongoing war has uprooted millions, shattered essential services, and pushed families into deeper hardship.
For many, daily life is a struggle to survive amid destroyed homes and communities under threat from violence.
Amid these immense challenges, families like Kateryna and Oleksandr’s offer a glimpse of resilience and care. They are raising nine children—six of their own and three in foster care. Despite the constant threat of shelling and the hardships of war, their home remains a place of warmth, laughter, and learning.
Thanks to UNICEF and partner support, they received vital winter supplies, including a water heater, space heater, and power bank.
Throughout 2024, UNICEF scaled up its emergency response, reaching over 1.2 million people, including 200,000 children, with support.
In 2024, the world became an even more dangerous place to be a child. Across conflict zones, the basic rules designed to protect civilians – especially children – were disregarded on a scale that shocked even seasoned humanitarians. In emergency after emergency, our colleagues and partners paid a heavy price for doing their jobs – some with their lives.
In the face of these crises, UNICEF Ireland stood in solidarity with our global colleagues.
Thanks to the generosity and commitment of people and organisations across Ireland, we were able to support the delivery of life-saving aid: food, clean water, medical supplies, and emergency education for children in some of the world’s most challenging and dangerous contexts.
That support had a direct and immediate impact – helping to protect children and give them the chance to survive, recover, and begin to rebuild.
UNICEF Ireland Executive Director Peter Power
Our commitment to children’s rights is not limited to emergency relief or places of conflict. UNICEF Ireland’s work is rooted in the belief that every child, everywhere, deserves a fair chance. That’s why, alongside our global fundraising efforts, we continued to advocate here at home for policies that reflect the same principles: equity, dignity, and long-term thinking. In 2024, our Vote for Every Child campaign helped keep children’s rights on the political agenda during a pivotal year.
We called for policies that address child poverty, mental health, and climate justice, while also strengthening Ireland’s role in global development. Crucially, this advocacy wasn’t driven by adults alone. Young people across the country led the way.
To all our donors, partners, volunteers, ambassadors, and staff— thank you. Together, you have helped children survive today and laid the foundation for them to thrive tomorrow. The challenges ahead are immense, but so is our collective strength. Together, we will keep working for a world where no child is left behind.
UNICEF’s commitment to children begins right here at home. In Ireland, we are focused on ensuring that every child’s voice is heard, their rights are respected, and their futures are protected.
In 2024, this commitment came to life through our domestic advocacy work – particularly in deepening youth engagement in democracy and shaping the national conversation around children’s rights.
We ran youth activism workshops, empowering participants with the tools, confidence, and knowledge to engage in political processes, culliminating in a youth-led election manifesto which formed the basis of a national campaign calling on decision-makers to listen and respond to the priorities of Ireland’s next generation.
Championing the rights of children and promoting policy change that puts their wellbeing first.
Creating inclusive platforms where children and young people help shape their lives today and in the future.
Equipping educators, schools, and students to build a culture of inclusion, respect, and rights awareness.
Collaborating with government, civil society, schools, and communities to deliver real impact.
We use our voice, media presence, and thought leadership to shape public discourse and ensure children’s rights remain high on the national agenda.
We produce evidence-based insights into the lives of children and young people in Ireland, identifying gaps and advocating for solutions.
UNICEF launched #VoteForEveryChild in 2024, a bold, cross-platform campaign to elevate children’s rights.
Building on our work to engage young people in Ireland’s democratic
process, we launched #VoteForEveryChild, a bold, cross platform campaign to elevate children’s rights on the political agenda ahead of Ireland’s general election. The campaign mobilised public support and called on political candidates to commit to a youth designed manifesto of priorities for Ireland’s children.
The campaign included a voter toolkit, media outreach, and an online pledge system where candidates could publicly support child-first policies. This approach reinforced both political accountability and public momentum for change.
Our public health advocacy also advanced in 2024 with targeted efforts to safeguard breastfeeding. In dialogue with the Department of Health and Coimisiún na Meán, we pressed for stricter marketing codes and stronger enforcement against misleading promotion of breastmilk substitutes.
Students participate in child rights advocacy training
Child and youth participation remained a cornerstone of our advocacy strategy throughout 2024.
On 20th November, children and adults across Ireland joined the world in marking World Children’s Day, themed “Listen to the Future.”
Activities across Child Rights Schools focused on climate justice, education, and sustainability—using creative expression to articulate children’s visions for the world they will inherit.
In Dublin, the Mansion House was lit in UNICEF blue for the first time, symbolising national recognition of children’s rights.
Though the annual Taoiseach Takeover was paused due to election timing, 15-year-old Swasti Sahoo delivered a powerful alternative: an open letter to the world of 2050, shared globally through UNICEF’s communications channels.
I dream of that world. A world where every seed, no matter where it’s planted, is given the space to grow into something beautiful, something needed. A world where no child ever has to feel like they are too different to belong.Swasti aged 15
Schools play a vital role in ensuring children in Ireland enjoy the rights outlined in the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC). UNICEF Ireland’s Child Rights Schools (CRS) programme empowers school communities to foster a culture of respect, inclusion, and child participation.
In a Child Rights School, children and adults learn about the CRC and work together to integrate child rights into everyday school life. In 2024, 34 schools across 13 counties participated in the programme. Over 11,000 children and 1,100 school staff engaged with CRS training and resources that support rights-based education.
Supporting educators also remained a core focus in 2024. In July, UNICEF Ireland delivered a 20-hour online summer course for primary school staff. 90 educators completed the training, gaining tools to embed child rights into teaching with a focus on inclusive participation. The course was endorsed by the Department of Education.
The programme has impacted our children’s enjoyment in school and learning. By understanding their rights, children feel listened to, valued, and respected, creating a safe space.Louise Young, Teacher at Griffeen Valley ETNS
In 2024, people across Ireland showed the powerful impact of generosity guided by purpose. From one-time emergency gifts to monthly donations that provided consistent support, from families passing on the value of giving to legacy gifts that protect the future of children, individual giving was central to everything UNICEF achieved this year.
Every contribution, regardless of its size or frequency, was part of a shared commitment to ensure that no child is left behind. In a year shaped by overlapping emergencies including conflict, climate-related disasters, food insecurity, and economic instability, your support enabled UNICEF to respond quickly, adapt to changing needs, and continue working long after media attention moved on. With help from Irish donors, children and families in Gaza, Ukraine, Sudan, Afghanistan, Lebanon, and other regions received critical aid and support when they needed it most.
But even beyond the impact of each individual programme or response, your giving sent a powerful message: that every child matters regardless of where they live or what crisis they face.
Tony Ferguson grew up in London, the only son of Irish parents. His childhood was shaped by the hardships of the Second World War and the quiet strength and compassion of his mother.
“Despite not having much, my mother still found time to volunteer with the Crusade of Rescue Home,” he said.
That spirit of giving stayed with Tony. When he later returned to Ireland, he and his wife Maureen raised six children and welcomed 14 grandchildren.
“Having my family kept reminding me about my own childhood and my mother,” he says. “I wanted to honour the values she instilled in me – to support children who needed help. And I thought there was no better organisation to do this with but UNICEF.”
By choosing to leave a gift in his Will, Tony made a powerful and personal commitment to future generations. His legacy gift, like those of many other supporters, helps UNICEF continue its life-changing work for children all over the world.
Every year, tens of thousands of children under five die from illnesses caused by dirty water – more than from war-related violence. Thanks to donors like Tony, UNICEF is working in 158 countries to change that. Legacy gifts like Tony’s provide UNICEF with flexible funding, a rare resource that allows rapid emergency response and long-term investment.
Tony with his wife Maureen pictured with their children and family dog outside their home.
I wanted to leave a gift in my Will to help children who are living in desperate conditions through no fault of their own.Tony Ferguson, Legacy Donor
At UNICEF, transforming children’s lives requires more than immediate relief – it demands visionary partnerships that invest in sustainable, longterm change. Our philanthropic partners share this commitment, helping us tackle the root causes of inequality and build brighter futures for generations to come.
Philanthropy at UNICEF is about more than giving. It’s about investing in sustainable impact and transformational change. What makes our philanthropic partnerships unique is their flexibility and deeply personal nature. We work closely with individuals, families, and foundations to design bespoke giving opportunities that reflect their passions, expertise, and values.
Artist and philanthropist Paul Hughes at the RHA Exhibition displaying his work Green is a Myriad
One example of the power of philanthropic partnerships in 2024 was Green is a Myriad, a solo exhibition by Irish artist Paul Hughes in partnership with the Royal Hibernian Academy.
All proceeds from the sale of the artwork were donated to UNICEF’s Flexible Funding, our most agile and effective resource for supporting children wherever the need is greatest.
The exhibition embodied the spirit of values-driven philanthropy. Paul Hughes used his artistic voice to highlight the hope and potential of childhood, and to contribute meaningfully to global change. For UNICEF, this is what true partnership looks like: collaboration rooted in purpose, powered by compassion, and tailored to make the greatest impact.
We are deeply grateful to all of our philanthropic supporters who continue to shape the future—on their own terms, and always in solidarity with children.
UNICEF works with businesses to advance every child’s right to survival, protection, development, and participation.
Together with our partners, we create innovative alliances that save lives and secure futures. In 2024, UNICEF Ireland’s proud tradition of collaborating with the private sector was critical to the results we achieved. Thank you to all our partners for their huge efforts for children.
CRH, joined forces with UNICEF in late 2023 to help strengthen vaccination efforts in countries affected by conflict, crisis, and economic fragility. Thanks to this support, an estimated 3.1 million children received at least one dose of a vaccine in 2024.
In 2024 Primark renewed their partnership with UNICEF, committing $2 million over 2-years, to support UNICEF’s Regular Resources and emergency relief for the most vulnerable children. They continue as a Principal Partner for Soccer Aid in the UK.
In 2024, Aer Lingus and UNICEF proudly marked 27 years of impactful partnership—raising over $23 million to help create a better world for every child. This year, Aer Lingus held a Christmas onboard collection to support children in emergencies.
Supporting UNICEF today means you will help send essential food, medicine and other supplies to children around the world – fast and efficiently. By giving a gift, particularly a monthly gift, you allow us to work quickly in crises to save lives and run long-term programmes that keep vulnerable children safe and healthy despite the multiple threats they face.
