The Syrian war is entering its ninth year. Today, there are Syrian children such as Kinda, who you’ll read more about below, who have never known peace. Who have never known the feeling of safety. Never had a bed to call their own. Having lived through violence, bombs, machine-gun fire, hunger and freezing temperatures, Syria’s … Continued

The Syrian crisis is the world’s worst humanitarian crisis since World War II. The horrors and atrocities of this conflict have filled our newspapers, TV screens and minds since fighting broke out in 2011. After 9 years of conflict, let’s take a look back and see how Syria’s civil war and resulting refugee crisis developed. … Continued

  By Helene Sandbu Ryeng Life is immediately sucked out of her beautiful almond shaped brown eyes. For a few seconds, she is physically still here but her mind somewhere else. An hour earlier; sixteen-year-old Anna [NAME CHANGED] is sitting behind a sowing machine at Tindoka vocational centre in Yambio, using her feet pushing down … Continued

Introduction – UNICEF “Conflicts around the world are lasting longer, causing more bloodshed and claiming more young lives” – UNICEF Executive Director Henrietta Fore Conflict remains the main driver of humanitarian needs, while extreme weather events, hunger, and infectious diseases drove many people to seek and depend on emergency aid. Millions of children uprooted from … Continued

As we mark 30 years of the Convention on the Rights of the Child UNICEF Ireland Executive Director Peter Power reflects on the progress made, and the challenges remaining. By Peter Power Thirty years ago world leaders made an historic commitment to the world’s children by adopting the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the … Continued

This year on World AIDS Day it is clear that the International Community will not meet its target to end AIDS by next year. Huge gains have been made, particularly in the area of the health of Mothers, but the climb has been slower for children and there is still a mountain to scale. 82% … Continued

It is 30 years since UN Member States signed the Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) on November 20. As part of our #WorldChildrensDay celebrations, we helped Donegal teenager Charles to stage a #KidsTakeOver of the Taoiseach’s office. The 18-year-old wanted to talk to An Taoiseach, Leo Varadkar about young people’s issues including … Continued

“Everything revolved around school.” On World Children’s Day 2019, UNICEF Ambassador Liam Neeson reflects on his childhood and shares his memories of growing up in a small town in Northern Ireland. World Children’s Day is UNICEF’s global day of action for children, by children. This year is extra special as it marks 30 years of … Continued

Three-year-old Zalal has spent all of her life in a temporary shelter, with no place to call her home. Like so many others, Zalal and her family fled for their lives, with nothing but the clothes on their backs, when fighting escalated in Syria. “Life in Syria is all war, politics,” explains Zalal’s father Adnan, … Continued

The Syrian crisis remains one of the world’s biggest humanitarian emergencies. After nine years of civil war, the violence continues and children are still suffering in their millions. 5 million children displaced inside Syria 2.5 million children are living as refugees in neighbouring countries Six out of ten children in Syria are in urgent need … Continued

A legacy donation, a donation made in your will, is one of the most precious gifts you can give. It’s a decision that’s not entered lightly and is one that requires contemplation and reflection.  With this in mind, it’s important to know that your gift will make a real difference to the lives of children … Continued

UNICEF’s Chief of Operations in Syria John Marks spoke to Newstalk’s Pat Kenny Show about recent conflict and uncertainty in Syria. In the excerpts below, John describes the challenges facing children and their families and UNICEF’s emergency response to the crisis. Thankfully, UNICEF teams are reporting some improvements in the situation with the number of … Continued