1. Extreme Poverty – 1.2 Million Children on the Edge The State of Palestine is experiencing a long-term humanitarian crisis. The political situation, an ongoing financial crisis, the continuing violence and COVID -19, has left 1.2 million children in real need. These children are experiencing lives of deprivation, violence and poverty. In the Gaza Strip, … Continued

Therese Dooley, UNICEF South Asia WASH Adviser Carlow woman Therese Dooley has dedicated her career to the humanitarian and development sector, spending over 30 years honing her speciality – water, sanitation and hygiene or WASH.  She has been based in South Asia for the last five years, during which time she has worked on UNICEF … Continued

In India, the second wave of the pandemic is almost four-times the size of the first wave, with daily cases already over 362,000, and the virus is spreading more quickly than before. Hospitals and health centres across India are struggling to cope with the overwhelming number of new cases, with hospital beds, essential drugs and oxygen running … Continued

For six years, children in Yemen have lived surrounded by war, conflict and disease. 2020 brought extreme hunger and COVID-19, both of which claimed thousands of lives.  Children already weak and sick from malnutrition, diarrhea and dirty water, don’t have the strength to fight Coronavirus. Families living in crowded refugee camps, with no access to … Continued

Ten years of war in Syria, as seen through Irish eyes Irish aid workers Ettie Higgins and Claire McKeever wrote movingly about their experiences of working amid the Syrian war for UNICEF in TheJournal.ie on the 10 year anniversary of conflict this March. Cobh’s Ettie Higgins (left), Deputy Representative, UNICEF Lebanon, pictured here in 2013 at … Continued

It’s really happening! COVID-19 vaccines are being administered in low and middle-income countries worldwide, with thanks to COVAX, and UNICEF. In recent weeks health workers in Ethiopia, Fiji, Nigeria, Sudan and Philippines were vaccinated against COVID-19 amid quiet celebrations and great relief.  They received their vaccines through COVAX, a global initiative led by UNICEF, WHO, … Continued

Donncha O’Callaghan has travelled the world for UNICEF, meeting children caught up in conflict, displacement and disease. Read how the children displaced by Syria’s 10 years of war have impacted him in life-changing ways.

‘For everyone, vaccines mean light at the end of the tunnel’ On February 24th 2021, Irishman Fiachra McAsey witnessed history as Ghana became the first country to receive COVID-19 vaccines under the historic COVAX initiative. Fiachra is UNICEF’s Deputy Representative in Ghana and for him the delivery of 600,000 vaccine doses to the capital city … Continued

Jack is a brave UNICEF supporter who participated in the #RUNTHEGAP Challenge last year and ran more than a marathon to help the most vulnerable children. Jack is a 23 years old student in Food and Agriculture Management in UCD. After his degree, he hopes to further his studies in Medicine at a graduate level. … Continued

Ahead of the 10 year Anniversary of war, UNICEF Ambassador and hurler Joe Canning tells The Irish Independent what he witnessed on a trip to war-torn Syria. In 2017, the Galway hurler travelled to Aleppo, along with the Irish Independent – the harrowing experience has stayed. Now, both parties have come back together to refocus attention … Continued

2020 – the year children needed you more than ever. In times of crisis children always suffer the most. But throughout 2020, you were there transforming the lives of millions of children. The year was marked by a dramatic increase in humanitarian needs, with the arrival of COVID-19, conflict and humanitarian disaster. Throughout out all … Continued

In 2020, the generosity of our supporters has helped us to reach out to the most vulnerable communities like never before. We have been able to bring assistance and services to countries who were already at a disadvantage before the COVID-19 pandemic. Countries with limited healthcare systems that have been ravaged by conflict and a … Continued