Press Releases

UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador Vanessa Nakate takes a stand for adolescent girls during visit to Rwanda

Publication date: July 18, 2023

Nakate calls for US$ 1 billion global investment at Women Deliver Conference to improve girls’ access to health, education, and protection

On 17 July 2023, UNICEF Goodwill Ambasador Vanessa Nakate walks with Adele (in pink), Graciella (in black and white stripes) and Bonette in Kigarama Sector, Kirehe District, Eastern Province of Rwanda.

Childhood immunization begins recovery after COVID-19 backslide

Publication date: July 18, 2023

New WHO and UNICEF data show promising signs of immunization services rebounding in some countries, but, particularly in low-income countries, coverage still falls short of pre-pandemic levels putting children at grave risk from disease outbreaks.

4-year-old Gul-e-Rukh poses for the UNICEF camera, showing her marked finger after receiving the polio vaccine, in Karachi, Pakistan.

Eleven children die every week attempting to cross the Central Mediterranean Sea migration route – UNICEF

Publication date: July 14, 2023

So far in 2023, an estimated 11,600 children made the dangerous crossing. The majority were alone or separated from their parents.

A boy who is an unaccompanied minor looks across the beach in Trabia, Italy, on May 14, 2016.

122 million more people pushed into hunger since 2019 due to multiple crises, reveals UN report

Publication date: July 12, 2023

Latest research shows around 735 million people currently facing hunger, compared to 613 million in 2019

122 million more people pushed into hunger since 2019 due to multiple crises, reveals UN report

Women and girls bear brunt of water and sanitation crisis – new UNICEF-WHO report

Publication date: July 6, 2023

Women and girls responsible for fetching water in 7 out of 10 households without supplies on premises, according to first in-depth analysis of gender inequalities in drinking water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) in households

On 14 September 2022, sitting on floor of her shared tent, Geetu, 8 years old, shows off a hygiene kit her family received from UNICEF at Mohammad Medical Emergency Camp in Umerkot District, Sindh Province, Pakistan.

18 million doses of first-ever malaria vaccine allocated to 12 African countries for 2023–2025: Gavi, WHO and UNICEF

Publication date: July 5, 2023

In response to high demand for the first-ever malaria vaccine, 12 countries in Africa will be allocated a total of 18 million doses of RTS,S/AS01 for the 2023–2025 period

On 25 April 2022, a detail shot of vials of the malaria vaccine at a government cold storage facility in Lilongwe, Malawi.

Sudan: Top UN Officials sound alarm at spike in violence against women and girls

Publication date: July 5, 2023

Senior United Nations officials today voiced shock and condemnation at increasing reports of gender-based violence in Sudan – including conflict-related sexual violence against internally displaced and refugee women and girls – since fighting erupted in the country more than 11 weeks ago.

Harriet, a member of the Kilameling Parenting Without Violence group and chats with a para social worker from Save the Children in Kilameling ward, Obongi Town Council, Obongi District.

Statement by Adele Khodr, UNICEF Regional Director for the Middle East and North Africa on the escalation of violence in Jenin, Palestine

Publication date: July 4, 2023

UNICEF is deeply concerned by the recent escalation of violence in Jenin, in the West Bank.

Statement by Adele Khodr, UNICEF Regional Director for the Middle East and North Africa on the escalation of violence in Jenin, Palestine

More than 100,000 children fleeing Sudan conflict face new dangers amid desperate situation in Chad

Publication date: June 27, 2023

Start of rainy season increases risk of disease and delayed humanitarian access to hundreds of thousands in need

On 28 April 2023, as they cross into Koufroun, a Chadian village near the Sudanese border, refugees from Sudan carry their personal belongings.

Funds for world’s climate hotspots woefully neglect the needs of children, new report finds

Publication date: June 22, 2023

Children are being failed by climate funding commitments, despite bearing the brunt of the climate crisis.