Press Releases

UNICEF scales up support in 145 countries to keep children learning, as COVID-19 forces majority of schools worldwide to close

Publication date: March 26, 2020

As nationwide school closures disrupt the education for more than 80 per cent of students worldwide, UNICEF today announced it will significantly scale up support in all countries to help children continue their learning while keeping schools safe.

Boy doing homework on laptop at kitchen table

UN launches joint global humanitarian response plan to combat COVID-19 pandemic

Publication date: March 25, 2020

UNICEF appeals for $651.6 million to help children impacted by global pandemic

UNICEF workers unpacking with face masks on

COVID-19: Children at heightened risk of abuse, neglect, exploitation and violence amidst intensifying containment measures – UNICEF

Publication date: March 23, 2020

Newly released technical guidance aims to help authorities strengthen protection measures for children during pandemic.

Yuanyuan washes her hands in the hospital ward where she is currently under isolation.

COVID-19: More than 95% of children are out of school in Latin America and the Caribbean

Publication date: March 23, 2020

In Latin America and the Caribbean, over 154 million children, about 95 per cent of the enrolled, are temporarily out of school due to the COVID-19, UNICEF reported today based on UNESCO data.

Statement by UNICEF Executive Director Henrietta Fore on the COVID-19 pandemic

Publication date: March 18, 2020

UNICEF is working to help prevent the spread of the virus among communities in the affected countries. We are sharing accurate information on how to keep families safe, providing hygiene and medical kits to schools and health clinics, and mitigating the impact of the outbreak on children’s access to health, education and social services.

A Syrian volunteer disinfects a classroom in rural Idlib.

Almost 5 million children born into war in Syria, 1 million born as refugees in neighbouring countries – UNICEF

Publication date: March 16, 2020

Over 9,000 children killed or injured in the conflict, according to verified data

A child stands outside the ruins of a building in rural Syria.

One year after Cyclone Idai, 2.5 million people in Mozambique remain in need of humanitarian assistance

Publication date: March 13, 2020

UNICEF prepares for more frequent and ferocious disasters as a result of the climate crisis

UNICEF Canada advises government on how to protect children during COVID-19 response

Publication date: March 13, 2020

Today, UNICEF Canada sent letters to the Premiers of Canada and the federal Minister of Finance Bill Morneau urging them to consider the possible impacts on children and youth and take appropriate steps to protect the right of every child during and after the pandemic of COVID-19.

UNICEF statement on COVID-19 outbreak

Publication date: March 11, 2020

UNICEF has been preparing and responding to the epidemic of COVID-19 around the world, knowing that the virus could spread to children and families in any country or community

Scientists are at work in the VirPath university laboratory, classified as "P3" level of safety.

COVID-19: UNICEF, Red Cross, and WHO issue guidance to protect children and support safe school operations

Publication date: March 10, 2020

Guidance includes practical actions and checklists for administrators, teachers, parents and children