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

Up to 170,000 people have had to flee their homes due to escalating violence in northern Syria. UNICEF estimates that nearly 70,000 children have been displaced since hostilities in northeast Syria escalated a week ago.   Sadly, our teams on the ground have confirmed that at least four children have been killed and nine others … Continued

On International Day of the Girl we think about incredible girls and women and all they are achieving, often against the odds. UNICEF field workers meet girls who have endured the most appalling struggles every day. We are proud to watch them transform and be reborn, given the right supports. Here, Communciation Specialist with UNICEF … Continued

Carlos is too young to understand why he can’t sleep in his own bed at home tonight. Instead, he’s lying on a thin mattress on the floor of a crowded and noisy migrant centre at the Colombian border. His mother, Yamileth, 18, watches over him and his brother Yadnoel. She is exhausted after carrying her … Continued

50 Million Children with Nowhere to Call Home That’s ten times the population of Ireland – more than at any other time in history. It is a crisis of global proportions and it is destroying children’s lives. Refugee and migrant children are among the most vulnerable of all children. Fleeing truly dreadful circumstances; poverty, violence, … Continued

Hurricane Dorian left 70,000 people without a home when it slammed into Abaco and the Grand Bahama islands on September 1st. The Category-5 storm sat over the region for 40 hours, leaving behind an unprecedented path of destruction and 18,000 affected children. UNICEF is on the ground helping the children who have been left in … Continued

It is September Up and down the country parents have handed their children over into the care of their schools after a long Summer. That first year of school is bitter-sweet. Hopes are high. But if children are to thrive, we must let go of the control. As any parent will tell you, that requires … Continued