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

NEW YORK, 20 November 2016 – “Universal Children’s Day is more than a day to celebrate children everywhere.  It is an annual opportunity to recommit ourselves to protecting the rights of every child. “Universal, inalienable rights that the world pledged to protect on this day in 1989, when the United Nations General Assembly adopted the … Continued

NEW YORK, 17 November 2016 – IKEA Foundation today launches its ‘Let’s Play for Change’ initiative in collaboration with UNICEF and partners to raise funds and promote the role of play in helping young children reach optimal brain development. Experiences and external influences play critical roles in the formation and development of children’s brains, yet … Continued

DUBLIN/BAGHDAD, 15 November 2016 — A UNICEF-led multi-agency humanitarian convoy was the first to enter the Iraqi city of Mosul on Sunday, together with WFP (United Nations World Food Programme) and UNFPA (United Nations Population Fund). “UNICEF has entered Mosul city for the first time in over two years,” said UNICEF Iraq Deputy Representative Hamida … Continued

*NOTE* For b-roll and photos of Liam Neeson’s visit, please click on this link
 NEW YORK/AMMAN/DUBLIN, Thurs 10 Nov 2016 UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador Liam Neeson wrapped up a two-day visit to Jordan this week, along with his eldest son Micheal. They met with Syrian children, young people and their families whose lives have been greatly … Continued

DUBLIN, Tues 08 Nov 2016 UNICEF Ireland has welcomed the presence of officials from the Child and Family Agency, Tusla, in Greece, where they will meet with unaccompanied refugee and migrant children. They are travelling as part of a group of Irish child welfare officials. There are almost 27,500 children stranded in Greece, and the … Continued

BAGHDAD/NEW YORK 3 November 2016 –20,700 people have been displaced since the operation to retake Mosul started on 17 October. UNICEF estimates that 9,700 of them are children in urgent need of assistance. As these children and families arrive at the screening sites, UNICEF is there to meet them. “I met mothers and children who … Continued

DUBLIN/PORT-AU-PRINCE, 30 October 2016 Almost one month on from hurricane, Haitians are far from returning to normality. All indications are that the destruction Hurricane Matthew brought is much more significant than previously understood, and this past week, UNICEF tripled its estimated funding needs for the country to $22.5 million. Meanwhile, Haitian and World Bank officials say … Continued

NEW YORK/AMMAN, 26 October 2016 – “Twenty-two children and six teachers were reportedly murdered today when their school compound was repeatedly attacked in Idlib, Syria. “This is a tragedy. It is an outrage. And if deliberate, it is a war crime. “This latest atrocity may be the deadliest attack on a school since the war began more … Continued

PIBOR, SOUTH SUDAN, 26 October 2016 – UNICEF has announced the release of 145 children by armed groups in South Sudan today. This is the largest number of children freed since 2015, when 1,775 children were released in the Greater Pibor Administrative Area, South Sudan. “Our hope is that today’s release will be followed by … Continued

Price drop below $1 a dose reflects work of UNICEF, on behalf of Gavi and countries towards affordable and sustainable vaccine supply for vulnerable children GENEVA, 19 October 2016 – Breakthrough prices have been achieved with six vaccine suppliers who offered to price pentavalent vaccine at an 84 cents a dose average – half the … Continued

DAMASCUS/ GENEVA, 21 October 2016 With the start of the school year in Syria, over 1.7 million children remain out of school and another 1.3 million are at a risk of dropping out, according to new education data[i]. Escalating violence, displacement, increased poverty, and an overstretched and under-resourced education system continue to force children out of … Continued