Press Releases

2 in 5 schools around the world lacked basic handwashing facilities prior to COVID-19 pandemic — UNICEF, WHO

Publication date: August 13, 2020

As schools worldwide struggle with reopening, the latest data from the WHO/UNICEF Joint Monitoring Programme reveal that 43% of schools around the world lacked access to basic handwashing with soap and water in 2019.

80,000 children displaced due to Beirut explosions – UNICEF

Publication date: August 6, 2020

UNICEF scales up response and assistance to children and families

On 6 August 2020, widespread destruction is seen at the port area of Beirut, Lebanon following a massive explosion that took place two days prior.

UNICEF is sad and shocked at Beirut explosions, concerned about wellbeing of children, and supporting partners on the ground

Publication date: August 5, 2020

Statement from Ms. Yukie Mokuo UNICEF Representative in Lebanon

A woman is evacuated from the partially destroyed Beirut neighbourhood of Mar Mikhael on August 5, 2020 in the aftermath of a massive explosion in the Lebanese capital. - Rescuers searched for survivors in Beirut today after a cataclysmic explosion at the port sowed devastation across entire neighbourhoods, killing more than 100 people, wounding thousands and plunging Lebanon deeper into crisis.

Children in Central America and the Caribbean facing dual threat of stronger hurricane season and COVID-19

Publication date: August 3, 2020

Displacement and service interruption caused by storms could leave children and families more vulnerable to virus, UNICEF warns

On 11 December 2019 in The Bahamas, girls jump rope during a break at Hugh H. Campbell Primary School in Freeport.

A third of the world’s children poisoned by lead, new groundbreaking analysis says

Publication date: July 30, 2020

UNICEF and Pure Earth call for urgent action to abolish dangerous practices including the informal recycling of lead acid batteries

Two girls break used batteries to get pieces of metal out of them for recycling.

UNICEF: An additional 6.7 million children under 5 could suffer from wasting this year due to COVID-19

Publication date: July 28, 2020

As part of its Reimagine campaign, UNICEF calls for accelerated action to prevent and treat malnutrition caused by pandemic as humanitarian community appeals for $2.4 billion to improve maternal and child nutrition

A mother feeding her baby at the Primature health center of San Pedro, in the South West of Côte d’Ivoire.

Millions of children affected by devastating flooding in South Asia, with many more at risk as COVID-19 brings further challenges

Publication date: July 23, 2020

Weeks of torrential monsoon rains, widespread flooding and deadly landslides in Bangladesh, India and Nepal have affected millions of children and families

A woman carries straw for her cattle on a raft through flood waters at Sarumariparvat village in Morigaon district on July 22, 2020. Photo by Biju Boro

Yemen sees return to alarming levels of food insecurity

Publication date: July 22, 2020

Economic crisis, conflict, floods, desert locusts – and now COVID-19 - could wipe out improvements in food security in parts of Yemen, UN agencies warn

Moharram Al-Oshari, 35 years old, next to his 2 years and a half daughter, says "Before being displaced, I worked as a carpenter and we had a simple life"Mohammed Moharram Sa'ad Al-Oshari lives with his family in a camp for the displaced people in Ahl Al-Jalal in Mareb. Heis fled fighting with his family initially to Al Jawf and then, after Al Jawf was attacked, to Mareb. Although he receives a World Food Programme (WFP) food basket for his family, it is not enough.

As more go hungry and malnutrition persists, achieving Zero Hunger by 2030 in doubt, UN report warns

Publication date: July 13, 2020

Securing healthy diets for the billions who cannot afford them would save trillions in costs

A child smiles as she eats a meal at the school in Mbuene village, Magude district, Maputo Province, Mozambique

Yemeni children face deadly hunger and aid shortages as COVID-19 pandemic spreads - UNICEF

Publication date: June 26, 2020

Number of malnourished children could reach 2.4 million by end of year, a 20 per cent increase