NEW YORK / GENEVA, 21 April 2017 – According to UNICEF estimates, more than 150 children have died crossing the Central Mediterranean from North Africa to Italy so far this year. Yet the true number of child casualties is almost certainly higher given that many children on the move are unaccompanied, so their deaths often … Continued

DUBLIN 12 April 2017 – 1.4 million children are at risk of a frightening food crisis in Africa and the Middle East. Aer Lingus and UNICEF came together at Dublin Airport today to launch a special collection for children affected by the famine crisis in South Sudan, Somalia, Nigeria and Yemen. In 2017, Aer Lingus … Continued

DAKAR/NEW YORK/GENEVA, 12 April 2017 – The number of children used in ‘suicide’ attacks in the Lake Chad conflict has surged to 27 in the first quarter of 2017, compared to nine over the same period last year, UNICEF said in a new report released today. “In the first three months of this year, the … Continued

KYIV/GENEVA, 7 April 2017 – More than 200,000 children – or 1 in 4 – in the two regions most severely affected by the ongoing conflict in eastern Ukraine require urgent and sustained psychosocial support to address the trauma of living through more than three years of violence. Access broadcast quality photos and video here: … Continued

UNICEF Ireland condemns deplorable attack in Syria DUBLIN/NEW YORK/AMMAN, 6 April 2017 –At least 27 children were confirmed killed in the attack in Idlib, northwest of Syria, UNICEF said today. A further 546 people, among them many children, have been injured. Casualty figures are expected to rise. “The killing of children in Syria cannot be … Continued

Statement by UNICEF Executive Director Anthony Lake on reports of chemical weapons attacks on children and families in Syria “The images of children choking and dying in the streets of Idlib, Syria, following alleged chemical weapons attacks, are as horrific as they are heartbreaking. Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims and their families. … Continued

MOGADISHU/NAIROBI/GENEVA/NEW YORK, 30 March 2017 – As the spectre of famine hangs once again over Somalia, early numbers show an increasing number of children suffering from severe acute malnutrition (SAM) and cholera or acute watery diarrhoea (AWD) — a combination that killed many children in the famine of 2011. More than 35,400 children suffering from … Continued

Italian parliament passes law following lobbying efforts and release of UNICEF’s “Child Alert: A Deadly Journey for Children” ROME / GENEVA, 29 March  2017 – UNICEF has praised the Italian Parliament for passing an historic law to boost support and protection for the record number of foreign unaccompanied and separated children who have arrived in … Continued

UNICEF needs $255 million for children in Nigeria, Somalia, South Sudan and Yemen *NOTE* Photos + videos http://weshare.unicef.org/Package/2AMZIFDD22Q NEW YORK/DAKAR/NAIROBI/AMMAN, 28 March 2017 – More than a month after famine was declared in South Sudan, time is running out for more than a million children as drought and armed conflict devastate lives in northeast Nigeria, Somalia, South … Continued

Number of children injured, recruited in Yemen conflict nearly doubles in one year Download photos, videos and b-roll here SANA’A, 27 March 2016 – After two years of brutal conflict, families in Yemen are increasingly resorting to extreme measures to support their children, said UNICEF in a report released today as the war in the … Continued

NEW YORK, 27 March 2017 – All of us at UNICEF are shocked by the senseless killing of staff belonging to our partner organisation, the Grassroots Empowerment and Development Organisation. The humanitarian workers were travelling in a car that was clearly marked as belonging to a non–governmental organization. We are appalled that humanitarians working to improve … Continued

Ansam (10) performs ‘Song for Syria’ with a choir of internally displaced children   *NOTE* Video stills and an introduction to the song’s video available for download here DUBLIN/BEIRUT/DAMASCUS, 15 March 2017 – UNICEF has this morning released ‘Song for Syria’ a powerful new song and music video performed by children affected by six years … Continued