Press releases
Emergency measles vaccination campaign to protect 125,000 children in Central African Republic
BANGUI/YAOUNDE, 21 May 2013 – UNICEF and its partners are mounting an emergency measles vaccination campaign in Bangui, the conflict-hit capital of the Central African Republic, after eight children tested positive for the disease in April.
Public declaration for the abandonment of traditional harmful practices: 20 villages of Makalondi region commit to enforce children’s and women’s rights in Niger
Niamey, Niger, 15 May 2013 - On May 15, twenty villages of the rural area of Makalondi publicly committed to abandon Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), early and forced marriage, abductions, exploitation of children, school dropout and rural exodus.
UNICEF condemns the re-recruitment of child soldiers and killing of a child in Central African Republic
YAOUNDE/BANGUI/GENEVA, 10 May 2013 – UNICEF condemns in the strongest possible terms the re-recruitment and the killing of a 17-year-old boy.
European Union and UNICEF support the fight against chronic maluntrition in Niger
Niamey (Niger), 6 May 2013 – On Monday, the European Union and UNICEF signed a financial agreement worth 9.5 million euro (6.2 billion CFA Francs) to fight against child malnutrition in Niger.
Nets are key to cutting malaria deaths and illness – UNICEF
NEW YORK, 25 April 2013 – Malaria still kills 660,000 people every year, most of them African children. Universal coverage of insecticide-treated bed nets is key in making gains against malaria – one of the largest killers of children in the world.
Education in Central African Republic- another casualty of the conflict
YAOUNDE/BANGUI, 23 April 2013 - At least half of schools across the country remain closed, four months after a conflict that has disrupted lives and which is placing the future of Central African children in jeopardy.
African nations come together to spread the immunization message
BRAZZAVILLE/DAKAR/NAIROBI, 22 April 2013 - Reaching more people and strengthening immunization on the continent is the aim of the third African Vaccination Week (AVW) being celebrated from 22–28 April 2013.
Political support crucial to reach ‘the fifth child’ with vaccines
NEW YORK, 19 April 2013 – One and a half million children would not have died in 2011 had they been immunized, according to UNICEF at the start of World Immunization Week. But one in five children is not being reached with vital vaccines ...
More children killed in Central African Republic amidst escalating violence
BANGUI/DAKAR/GENEVA, 17 April 2013 – In the face of the intensifying violence in the Central African Republic, including on a playing field and a church, more and more children are being killed and injured, says UNICEF.
UNICEF condemns new recruitment of children by armed groups in the Central African Republic
BANGUI/DAKAR/GENEVA, 12 April 2013 – UNICEF has clear evidence of the continuing recruitment and use of children by armed groups in the Central African Republic and is warning leaders that such practices represent a grave violation of international law.
More resources for children and women from income/natural resource rich countries in West and Central Africa
BRAZZAVILLE, 10th April 2013 – The first regional workshop on “UNICEF West and Central Africa Economic and Social Policy Strategy in Middle Income/Natural resource rich Countries” will be organized from 10th to 12th April 2013 in Brazzaville, by UNICEF.
UNICEF flies emergency aid to conflict-stricken Central African Republic
BANGUI, Central African Republic/DAKAR/GENEVA, 9 April 2013 – A special UNICEF-chartered flight carrying over 23 tonnes of essential drugs, obstetric supplies and water tanks arrived yesterday in conflict-ravaged Bangui.
The Government of the Gambia and United Nations join forces to strengthen social protection systems in the country
Banjul, The Gambia, 28th March 2013 – In a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), nine institutions have committed themselves to intensify their partnership for the purpose of further establishing and developing integrated and inclusive social protection s
Violence against children mounting in Mali
UNICEF today expressed grave concern over the situation in northern Mali, where evidence shows children are being killed or injured by explosive devices and recruited into armed groups amid reports of rape and sexual abuse.
Central African Republic in turmoil - UNICEF calls on all parties to protect children
GENEVA/BANGUI, 26 March 2013 – The lives of 600,000 children in Central Africa Republic are being seriously affected by the ongoing conflict across the country, UNICEF called on all parties to lay down their arms and to ensure the wellbeing of children
Children dying daily because of unsafe water supplies and poor sanitation and hygiene, UNICEF says
NEW YORK, 22 March 2013 – As the world celebrates World Water Day today, UNICEF urges governments, civil society and ordinary citizens to remember that behind the statistics are the faces of children.
Global experts call for lifelong learning as the cornerstone of development
DAKAR, 19 March 2013 - Over 100 representatives from UN agencies, donors, academia and civil society organizations agreed today to put quality lifelong learning at the heart of the development agenda. Participants also mapped out ways to ensure all childr
850,000 children treated in Sahel for severe acute malnutrition in 2012: UNICEF
DAKAR/GENEVA, 11 December 2012 – A UNICEF progress report says that more than 850,000 children are expected to have received life-saving treatment for severe acute malnutrition across nine countries in the Sahel region during the course of 2012.
DR Congo: Over 600 schools looted or damaged by conflict this year
KINSHASA, 10 December 2012 – In the aftermath of the recent fighting families and different parties involved in the conflict have occupied or looted some 250 additional schools in North and South Kivu province since September, UNICEF said today.
Consultative Forum on Social Protection in Gambia
BANJUL, Gambia, 22 November 2012 – The first Social Protection Consultative Forum to be held in Gambia took place on 13 November 2012, in Banjul.
Educate a Child initiative brings access to quality education to more than 21,000 children in Chad
N’DJAMENA, 14 November 2012 – UNICEF Chad signed a project co-funding agreement with Qatar’s Educate A Child (EAC) initiative today which will improve access to school and better education for more than 21,000 children in Chad.
Benin: Laying down foundations for a Regional decentralization and resilience strategy
COTONOU, Benin, 11 October 2012 - UNICEF Regional Office for West and Central Africa convened , within the social justice and equity agenda, a three day workshop to discuss the implementation of decentralization and get critical insights on this issue.
Handwashing one of most effective ways to prevent disease in Central African Republic
BANGUI, 15 October 2012 – On Global Handwashing Day, UNICEF emphasizes the fact that the very simple act of washing hands with soap and water is one the most effective methods of preventing disease.
On Global Handwashing Day UNICEF says: It’s not complicated, but it’s crucial
NEW YORK, 15 October 2012 – As the world celebrates the fifth annual Global Handwashing Day, UNICEF emphasizes the fact that the very simple act of handwashing with soap can save hundreds of thousands of children who needlessly die every year.
International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction: Women and Girls, the [in] visible force of Resilience
To actively engage women and girls in the field of disaster risk reduction and to allow them to be actresses of change and not mere victims, is the message promoted during the International Disaster Risk Reduction Day.
Pneumococcal Vaccine now available free of charge for all children in Congo
Brazzaville, 11 October 2012 – The Republic of Congo has taken big step in improving children’s health by introducing a new vaccine against pneumonia, one of the leading child killers in developing countries.
Global Luminaries Unite to Issue Urgent Call for a Polio-Free World
New and Existing Donors Underscore Once-in-a-Generation Opportunity to End Polio Forever
The government of Niger and partners pursue efforts to address malnutrition
Niamey, Niger, 17 September 2012 - The severity of the food and nutrition crisis affecting Niger has been shown by a survey that reveals high rates of malnutrition amongst children under the age of five.
ECHO provides €600,000 to fight cholera outbreak in Niger
Niamey, NIGER/Brussels, BELGIUM, 14 September 2012 – The European Commission’s Humanitarian Aid and Civil Protection Office signed an agreement with UNICEF, making available €600,000 in support of UNICEF’s emergency response to the cholera outbreak.
UNICEF and European Commission put children first in emergencies
11 September 2012 – The European Commission will continue to prioritise funding for children in humanitarian emergencies, despite the economic challenges, the European Commissioner for International Cooperation, Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Response, Krist
UN Agencies warn that cholera epidemic is spreading in West Africa
Dakar SENEGAL/Brazzaville, REPUBLIC OF CONGO, 5 September 2012 – The World Health Organization (WHO) and UNICEF, are warning that the current cholera emergency in West Africa is set to get much worse.
UNICEF Advocate Ishmael Beah calls for the end of recruitment of children in armed groups in Central African Republic
At the end of his five-day mission to the Central African Republic, activist and author Ishmael Beah said there were still armed groups using children as combatants and in other roles.
UNICEF raises the alarm in Mali over recruitment of children
Calls on all parties to put children out of the way of conflict
UNICEF needs more than US$ 133 million to respond to the crises that affects children and women in the Democratic Republic of Congo
DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO, 7 August 2012 – UNICEF today released the update of its Humanitarian Action Report 2012 in which the organization expresses its deep concern at the situation of vulnerable populations in the DRC.
Briefing of National Assembly Members on Child Rights and Equity
A UNICEF briefing session on children’s rights with emphasis on equity, using the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (UN CRC), was held for the Gambia National Assembly Members (NAMs) in the country’s capital Banjul on 11 July 2012.
Cholera in northern Mali: UNICEF and local partners to distribute kits to ensure access to safe drinking water for 60,000 children
BAMAKO/DAKAR, 16 July 2012 – Following the recent outbreak of cholera in Mali, UNICEF is sending 20,000 water, sanitation and hygiene kits to north of the country as part of its emergency response.
Cholera upsurge kills more children in the Sahel
As the rainy season unfolds across the Sahel, a recent upsurge of cholera that has killed over 60 people and sickened about 2,800 this year is putting more and more people – especially malnourished children – at risk, UNICEF warned today.
Children associated with armed groups released in Northern region of Central African Republic
AKOURSOULBAK, Central African Republic, 22 June 2012 – The United Nations task force on children associated with armed groups or forces welcomes the release of 32 children from the Convention of Patriots for Justice and Peace (CPJP).
UNICEF calls for social inclusion of children with disabilities in Africa
Theme of the Day of the African Child 2012: “The Rights of Children with Disabilities: The Duty to Protect, Respect, Promote and Fulfill”
UNICEF appeals for funds to respond to growing children’s emergency in the Sahel
DAKAR/GENEVA, 11 June 2012 – Appealing today for funding, UNICEF said nearly a quarter million children under 5 suffering from severe acute malnutrition received life-saving treatment in the Sahel during the first four months of the year.
Polio eradication shifts into emergency mode: New cases at lowest levels ever, but funding gap threatens progress
GENEVA, Switzerland, 24 May 2012 – Despite the dramatic drop in polio cases in the last year, the threat of continued transmission due to funding and immunization gaps has driven the Global Polio Eradication Initiative to launch an Emergency Action Plan.
News Note: Mali instability increases health risks for children and mothers
BAMAKO, Mali, 22 May 2012 – UNICEF officials are warning that the crisis in the North of Mali has dramatically increased the risks from diseases such as cholera, measles and polio and could increase maternal and infant deaths.
Tightening national safety nets for children in Africa
DAKAR, Senegal, 7 May 2012 – From 7 to 9 May 2012, the biggest ever international conference on strengthening child protection systems in Sub-Saharan Africa brings together more than 300 child protection practitioners from across the continent.
European Commission donates additional 16.5 million Euros to UNICEF’s Sahel appeal as dry season begins
BRUSSELS/DAKAR, 2 May 2012 - Two separate donations have been made to provide treatment for children suffering from severe acute malnutrition in the ongoing Sahel nutrition crisis in west and central Africa.
Charles Taylor verdict serves as warning to war-time leaders, says UNICEF
NEW YORK/GENEVA, 26 April 2012 – The verdict against former Liberian President Charles Taylor by the UN-backed Special Court for Sierra Leone is a victory for children recruited and used in war and will serve as a warning to other war-time leaders.
Thirty seconds for a safe night
New synchronised TV and radio campaign promotes the use of mosquito bed nets in six countries across West and Central Africa.
UNICEF warns of looming children’s crisis in the Sahel
DAKAR, Senegal/GENEVA, Switzerland 9 December 2011 – An estimated 1,025,000 children in the Sahel region of Africa face severe and life threatening malnutrition during the coming year according to the UN children’s agency, UNICEF.
