Press Releases

Thousands of children vaccinated in remote Rukban settlement amid severe lack of access to medical care

Publication date: February 15, 2019

UNICEF-supported vaccinators were able to immunize thousands of children during a 9-day mission to the remote makeshift settlement in Rukban at the border with Jordan, home to more than 40,000 people – mostly women and children.

Government of Canada commits to ending child and forced labour in corporate supply chains

Publication date: February 12, 2019

The Government of Canada announced on Friday that it would initiate consultations on corporate supply chain legislation this year. The statement is a positive step towards requiring Canadian companies to take action and report on their efforts to address child labour, modern slavery, and other human rights violations.

Dozens of children released by armed groups in South Sudan, marking International Day Against Child Soldiers

Publication date: February 12, 2019

One hundred and nineteen children were released today by an armed group in South Sudan, bringing the total number of those freed since the conflict began to more than 3,100.

Over 160,000 displaced children protected from harsh winter in Iraq

Publication date: February 8, 2019

As cold winter weather sweeps across Iraq, UNICEF has provided warm clothes to over 160,000 internally displaced and refugee children, including those in hard-to-reach areas such as Sinjar, where UNICEF has maintained a strong presence since violence escalated in 2013.

Take action to eliminate female genital mutilation by 2030

Publication date: February 6, 2019

Joint statement by Henrietta Fore, UNICEF Executive Director, Dr. Natalia Kanem, UNFPA Executive Director, and Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, UN Women Executive Director

Nearly 3,000 children crossed from Guatemala to Mexico since mid-January – UNICEF

Publication date: January 31, 2019

More than 12,000 people, including 3,000 children, have crossed from Tecun Uman, Guatemala, to Tapachula, Mexico, since January 17, UNICEF said today. It is critical to uphold special protection for these children, particularly those among them traveling alone, the children’s agency said.

Paloma Escudero visiting children at Guatemala Mexico border

Violence, displacement and harsh conditions in Syria kill over 30 children since December

Publication date: January 31, 2019

Statement attributable to UNICEF Executive Director Henrietta Fore

Girl forced to flee her home in Hajin, Syria

Investing in children should be the foundation of Myanmar’s progress and development

Publication date: January 30, 2019

UNICEF Executive Director Henrietta Fore urged Myanmar’s authorities to invest in all children, to build a stronger, more harmonious society that will support Myanmar’s progress and stability.

UNICEF Executive Director Henrietta Fore sits with a child during visit to Myanmar

UNICEF appeals for $3.9 billion in emergency assistance for 41 million children affected by conflict or disaster

Publication date: January 29, 2019

Millions of children living in countries affected by conflict and disaster lack access to vital child protection services, putting their safety, well-being and futures at risk, UNICEF warned today as it appealed for $3.9 billion to support its work for children in humanitarian crises.

UNICEF Statement on the situation in Venezuela

Publication date: January 25, 2019

UNICEF regrets and condemns the reported loss of lives, including the deaths of teenagers, during recent demonstrations in Venezuela, and expresses its condolences to their families.