Special measures urgently needed to protect these vulnerable children from trafficking, exploitation and abuse DUBLIN/LAMPEDUSA, ITALY 13 JANUARY 2017 — Some 25,800 unaccompanied or separated children arrived to Italy by sea in 2016 – that’s more than double the 12,360 who arrived during the previous year. These children account for a staggering 91 per cent … Continued

SANA’A, 11 January 2017 – “One child was confirmed killed and four others were injured when two attacks hit near the al-Falah school in the Nihm district outside the capital, Sana’a. “Attacks on civilian areas continue to kill and injure scores of children in Yemen. Instead of learning, children are witnessing death, war, and destruction. … Continued

GENEVA / NEW YORK, 10 January 2017 – UNICEF today launched #EarlyMomentsMatter, a new campaign supported by the LEGO Foundation to drive increased awareness about the importance of the first 1,000 days of a child’s life and the impact of early experiences on the developing brain. During this critical window of opportunity, brain cells can … Continued

Looming $38 million shortfall for winter supplies and cash assistance could leave more than one million children in cold DUBLIN / AMMAN, 20 December 2016 – Unseasonably cold temperatures and winter weather are sweeping across the Middle East, threatening millions of children affected by crisis in the region. UNICEF is facing a $38 million funding gap … Continued

DUBLIN / BRUSSELS / NEW YORK, 16 December 2016 – Braving the consequences of war, natural disaster and other emergencies, nearly two million children in 20 countries around the world have been able to continue their schooling over the past four years as a result of a partnership between the European Commission’s Department for Humanitarian … Continued

The world’s largest children’s organization was established on 11 December 1946 to bring help and hope to children suffering in the aftermath of WWII For the Then and Now photo series visit: http://uni.cf/2gbAE3e NEW YORK, 11 December 2016 – On the 70th anniversary of its founding, UNICEF celebrates the immense progress made for the world’s … Continued

Sana’a, 12 December 2016 – Nearly 2.2 million children in Yemen are acutely malnourished and require urgent care. At least 462,000 children suffer from Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM), a drastic increase of almost 200 per cent since 2014. An additional 1.7 million children suffer from Moderate Acute Malnutrition. The situation of severely malnourished children in … Continued

DUBLIN, December 10th – UNICEF Ireland welcomes the arrival of Tánaiste and Minister for Justice Frances Fitzgerald and Minister for Children Katherine Zappone to refugee camps in Greece this weekend. UNICEF believes the trip shows leadership that is both timely and necessary. Many of the children caught up in this crisis are future citizens of … Continued

ALEPPO/DAMASCUS, 07 December 2016 – “I have just travelled back from Aleppo where the situation continues to plummet to even greater lows. “When I was there nearly 100 mortars fell on west Aleppo in a couple of days. While at the same time, only a few hundred metres away we witnessed the unrelenting bombardment of … Continued

NEW YORK, 5 December 2016 – A powerful new film featuring UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador David Beckham was released today to illustrate the brutal reality that physical and psychological abuse can mark children forever. During the new 60-second UNICEF film, scenes of violence against children appear as animated tattoos on David Beckham’s body. While Beckham’s own … Continued

*NOTE* Photographer Naoise Culhane has sent photos to picture desks, on a no fee basis. Please contact Aedin@unicef.ie if your organisation doesn’t have a picture desk. DUBLIN, Fri 18 Nov 2016 UNICEF Ireland was delighted to be joined by All Blacks players Sam Whitelock, Charlie Faumuina, Aaron Smith and Joe Moody earlier today, at a … Continued

Statement attributable to Geert Cappelaere, UNICEF MENA Regional Director AMMAN, 21 November 2016 – “It has been a horrific week for Syria’s children – living and dying under the relentless bombardment of schools, homes and hospitals. Hospitals in eastern Aleppo and Idlib were targeted while attacks on schools in Aleppo and Ghouta left nine children dead. We … Continued