Europe and Central Asia Region Appeal

Children across Europe and Central Asia continue to be disproportionately affected by multiple, overlapping crises. The most vulnerable are most at risk, including children living in poverty, children with disabilities and children from Roma, refugee and migrant communities. Although most countries in the region are classified as high or upper-middle-income, child poverty remains widespread, with 21.5 percent of children (around 42 million children) living in monetary poverty. Natural hazards, conflicts, disease outbreaks, mixed migration and the growing impact of climate change combine to further exacerbate children’s vulnerabilities. 

An estimated 160 million children are exposed to multiple climate and environmental hazards, including 26 million affected by extreme heat, 48.6 million by drought and water scarcity, 5 million by floods and 2.9 million by wildfires in the region. More than 29,000 measles cases were reported in Europe as of September 2025, driven by vaccine hesitancy, weakened health systems and declining MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) immunization coverage, which now ranges from 23 to 99 per cent for MMR1 and 62 to 99 per cent for MMR2.

Mixed migration flows continue to strain national systems along the Mediterranean and Balkan routes. Nearly 99,000 new arrivals were recorded between January and September in 2025, compared with 170,000 in all of 2024. Altogether 265,500 refugees and migrants, including 19,400 children, remain in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Greece, Italy and Serbia. Childrenon the move, particulary those who are unaccompanied and separated, face heightened risks of violence, exploitation and abuse. While the European UnionPact on Migration and Asylum strengthens guarantees for children’s rights, significant implementation gaps remain, particularly in access to information, guardianship and child-sensitive reception procedures. In addition, rising anti-migrant sentiment in parts of Europe exposes children and families – particularly unaccompanied minors – to increased discrimination, exclusion and protection concerns. 

Armenia hosts more than 142,000 refugees, including 36,000 children. Geopolitical tensions and instability in neighbouring regions increase the risk of new population movements into Europe and Central Asia.

Children are increasingly exposed to climate and environmental hazards. Coupled with ongoing conflicts in Europe as well as in neighbouring regions, cross-border tensions, mixed migration flows and the fragile geopolitical context of Europe, Central Asia and beyond, this underscores the need for sustained investments in preparedness and shock-responsive systems that safeguard the rights of children in times of crisis.

Guided by the Core Commitments for Children in Humanitarian Action, UNICEF will deliver principled humanitarian assistance and technical support in response to ongoing and emerging crises, addressing critical service gaps for affected children, families and host communities. Interventions will focus on providing essential services and supporting national and local systems, ensuring children and families have adequate access to health and nutrition, water, sanitation and hygiene, child protection, gender-based violence, mental health and psychosocial support, education and social protection services. In responding to mixed migration movements, UNICEF will engage with national and regional entities, working closely with the European Union, and advocate for the alignment of national policies with international standards. UNCEF will support governments to strengthen child protection and social inclusion systems through the development of sustainable guardianship frameworks, expanded alternative care options and the promotion of child-focused policies. 

Within the implementation of the European Union Pact on Migration and Asylum, UNICEF will ensure that legal commitments result in tangible protection outcomes for every child on the move. In Armenia, UNICEF will continue strengthening health, education and social service systems to provide inclusive mentla health and psychosocial support service for refugee and host community children and their families. This includes building professional capacities, improving referral mechanisms, supporting related policies and creating safe and inclusive spaces in schools and communities. In response to public health emergencies, UNICEF will support partners in strengthening surveillance, risk communication and the continuity of essential health services during outbreaks and health-related shocks. 

To scale up preparedness, UNICEF will adopt a multi-hazard approach and leverage regional and subregional coordination mechanisms to strengthen institutional capacities. Efforts focus on enhancing risk and foresight analysis, establishing early warning systems, advancing anticipatory actions, conducting system stress tests and supporting contingency planning. Targeted technical assistance and policy support will help develop child-sensitive, inclusive and gender responsive preparedness and response systems that ensure accountability to affected populations. UNICEF will strengthen surge capacity while advancing preparedness for shock-responsive social protection systems and the use of humanitarian cash transfers. This approach promotes localization and national ownership, empowering governments and communities to lead humanitarian action, while encouraging development partners to invest in sustainable, long-term solutions. 

Strategic partnerships with the European Union, the Disaster Preparedness and Prevention Initiative for Southeastern Europe, the Center for Emergency Situations and Disaster Risk Reduction, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, international financial institutions, academia and United Nations agencies will be key to mobilizing resources, fostering innovation and strengthening accountability.