Press Releases

Greater support needed for working families as COVID-19 takes hold – UNICEF and ILO

Publication date: March 31, 2020

Newly released recommendations for businesses aim to help employers strengthen support for families during the pandemic.

A child and mother study together at home.

Despite challenges, UNICEF continues to ship vital supplies to affected countries amid soaring number of COVID-19 cases

Publication date: March 30, 2020

As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to grow, UNICEF is procuring and shipping vital supplies, including desperately required personal protective equipment (PPE), to countries affected.

UNICEF workers sorting COVID-19 supplies

Statement by UNICEF Executive Director Henrietta Fore on the disruption of immunization and basic health services due to the COVID-19 pandemic

Publication date: March 26, 2020

As the pandemic progresses, critical life-saving services, including immunization, will likely be disrupted, especially in Africa, Asia and the Middle East where they are sorely needed.

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: 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.

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.

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