Publications

This UNICEF policy brief highlights the importance of strong social protection systems in reducing poverty, addressing inequalities, and building economic resilience. The analysis reveals that countries in Eastern and Southern Africa (ESA) spend well below average on their social protection systems. Countries in the region allocate under 10 per cent of government expenditure to social protection, equating to just over US$2 per person per month. Children receive only a quarter of this spending, with only one in seven children under 18 covered. The brief urges expanded social protection coverage to lift children out of poverty – and focuses on the critical need for increased social protection financing.

The World Food Programme, UN Women, UNICEF and CGIAR commissioned field studies in three countries of East Africa – Ethiopia, Kenya and South Sudan – to determine whether there is gendered access to rainwater and irrigation for agricultural production.

In 2024, UNICEF and WFP came together to assess the extent of their collaboration on school health and nutrition in Eastern and Southern Africa. The result was the documentation of three country case studies that demonstrate the collaboration in action for school-age children and adolescents in Zimbabwe, South Sudan and Malawi. These case studies showcase how the agencies can work together at policy and programme levels to support the rollout of an integrated package of services to support education, learning, health and nutrition in this age group. The synthesis report provides the background to these efforts, summarizes progress of the collaboration and findings from the case studies, and provides lessons learned and recommendations for accelerating progress for school-age children and adolescents in Eastern and Southern Africa.

The case study on inclusive humanitarian model and innovation presents good practices and important lessons from two major programs on inclusive humanitarian action by UNICEF Kenya and its partners. The Inclusive Humanitarian Model (IHM), implemented in Turkana and West Pokot Counties and the Humanitarian Innovation Programme (HIP) for children with disabilities, implemented in Kisumu County, draw on a number of areas for consideration while designing and implementing humanitarian action programs in a given community; demonstrates challenges and possible recommendations for insuring the inclusion of vulnerable groups including children and persons with disabilities.   

Across Eastern and Southern Africa at least 51million children are at the epicentre of multiple crises, including relentless climate shocks, public health emergencies, conflict, displacement and economic instability. Climate-smart responses that strengthen resilience, offer an unprecedented opportunity for UNICEF supporters to create a positive impact in the lives of children. Contributions to UNICEF’s three pillar ‘protect, empower and reduce’ approach help us respond to the needs of children affected by the combined impact of the El Niño and La Niña phenomena, conflict and other crises that are so prevalent in this region. Your support will help children and their families avoid further loss, while improving their health and economic security and enhancing environmental benefits.

Evidence has shown that most young people in the region do not complete formal education and/or TVET, and many acquire skills in various non-formal or informal training modalities – yet, these are rarely recognized by future employers or educational institutions, making young people’s further academic pursuits or transition into work all the more difficult.With the support of the Austrian Development Agency, UNICEF partnered with JET Education Services to explore the potential of micro-credentials to enhance the recognition of young people’s skills in the labour market in ESA. The research highlights the importance of context-specific micro-credentialing programme implementation, in collaboration with employers and industry as well as the integration of micro-credentials into broader qualification frameworks and active labour market programmes to enhance youth employment prospects.This research consists of a Regional Think Piece and three detailed case studies focusing on Burundi, South Africa and Uganda. Providing valuable insights and practical recommendations, this research will be helpful to policymakers, researchers and practitioners working to improve skills recognition and human capital development across Africa.The Regional Think Piece aims to encourage dialogue on the phenomenon of micro-credentials and their contribution to improving employment opportunities in ESA. It gives an overview of the current landscape of micro-credentialing in the region and is oriented towards uncovering strategic decision-making in developing and implementing micro-credentials for application in low- and middle-income countries.The case studies on Burundi, South Africa and Uganda aim to contribute to the formulation and design of country-relevant micro-credential models that are practice-focused, actionable, and scalable and lead to the increased recognition of non-formal skills development opportunities to facilitate transitions for unemployed youth into the labour market.

These reports, developed under UNICEF’s Zero-Dose and Equity Agenda Assessment, provide a comprehensive look at immunization inequities across ten countries in the Eastern and Southern Africa region. Together, they analyze the challenges and opportunities in reaching children who have missed critical vaccinations, particularly the first dose of the DPT vaccine. The 2023 report focuses on Burundi, Kenya, Madagascar, Somalia, South Sudan, and Tanzania, revealing how conflict, socioeconomic disparities, health system constraints, and the COVID-19 pandemic have contributed to growing numbers of zero-dose and under-vaccinated children. The 2024 report expands this analysis to Angola, Ethiopia, Mozambique, and South Africa, highlighting the varied drivers of inequity, from maternal education and household wealth to geographic and gender-based barriers.The assessments draw on extensive data analysis, national surveys, and case studies of pro-equity interventions, emphasizing lessons learned and good practices from governments and partners. They explore innovative strategies – such as mobile outreach, service integration, and digital health tools – that have been used to improve immunization access and coverage in underserved communities. Grounded in the WHO's equity frameworks, these reports offer clear, actionable recommendations to inform national strategies and global advocacy for immunization equity across the region.

At UNICEF, we believe in young people. When we empower girls, they can shape their own futures. They become leaders and changemakers in their communities and societies. By investing in adolescent health and wellbeing, we can bring benefits today, for decades to come, and at the scale needed to reach the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) on good health and well-being (SDG3) and gender equality (SDG5). Africa has the youngest and fastest-growing population on earth, with a median age of 19. Within the next decade, Africa’s workforce will be a billion-strong. With this population boom, supporting adolescent girls—including young mothers—will be crucial to tapping into a huge opportunity we have to reduce inequality across the continent.

At least 51 million children across Eastern and Southern Africa are at the epicenter of multiple crises, including relentless climate shocks, public health emergencies, conflict, displacement and economic impacts. This is a sharp increase of 6 million children in need compared to the previous year, signaling a further deterioration of the humanitarian situation in the region.Over the past year:20 of the 21 countries in the Eastern and Southern Africa region are currently facing public health emergencies, affecting more than 63 million people. These outbreaks include mpox, Marburg, cholera, malaria, and other vaccine-preventable diseases such as measles and polio. The growing frequency and rapid spread of public health emergencies heighten children’s vulnerability to infectious disease outbreaks.Displacement in Eastern and Southern Africa increased by almost 15 per cent due to climate impacts such as floods and droughts as well as escalating conflicts in neighboring countries.Children are increasingly vulnerable to violence, exploitation, and family separation. As seen in other emergencies, gender-based violence, worsened by food insecurity and lack of economic opportunities, is a growing threat, with adolescent girls at heightened risk of child marriage and other harmful practices due to desperate coping mechanisms. In such crises both boys and girls are more vulnerable to multiple forms of violence such as harsh discipline, recruitment into armed groups, and hazardous forms of labour.Nearly 47 million children are out of school.Amid declining food production and rising malnutrition, approximately one in three children in the region faces food poverty and 28 million are at risk of being trapped in a cycle of malnutrition and poverty.  To support its regional response, UNICEF is appealing for USD 1.2 billion in vital, flexible funding to prioritize the needs and rights of under-served children and communities in the region.

This landscape analysis was conducted by UNICEF Eastern and Southern Africa Regional Office (ESARO). The purpose was to examine the status and scope of health and nutrition policies, guidelines, and services related to the identification and management of infants under six months (u6m) at risk of poor growth and development (‘at-risk’) and their mothers. A review was undertaken in five target countries: Burundi, Ethiopia, Kenya, Madagascar, and Malawi. Results are summarized in individual country reports (available on request) and the synthesis document here provides an overall summary of key findings. Overall, results show that while most countries have a range of policies and guidelines covering this extremely vulnerable group, there are multiple gaps in how young infants at risk of poor growth and development and their mothers are identified and managed, and the scope of services provided to their families to prevent risk of malnutrition and negative health outcomes. These gaps can be addressed in upcoming policy and guidance updates, and by addressing implementation challenges including inadequate human resources, infrastructures and resources to support this critical area of nutrition programming.

The job of ending AIDS among children and adolescents in Eastern and Southern Africa is not done. In 2023, 42,000 children (0-14 years) lost their lives to AIDS and 120,000 adolescent girls and young women (15-24 years), including young mothers, newly acquired HIV in this region. Yet, huge strides in programming coupled with new evidence and tools provide a clear path forward. This Regional Snapshot, produced for World AIDS Day 2024, includes all the latest HIV statistics along with the evidence-based strategies that will get us to our goals.

The lack of access to reliable and affordable electricity in many parts of Sub-Saharan Africa poses a major challenge to the economic, social, and educational development of communities. This is particularly detrimental to children, affecting their chances at a wholesome and healthy future. The introduction of renewable energy for the electrification of health and education facilities, including water, sanitation, and hygiene, can help to improve services provided, thereby positively impacting children’s lives. The purpose of this regional report is to advance UNICEF’s agenda in supporting children in the Eastern and Southern Africa region by providing comprehensive, up-to-date information on the electrification of health and education facilities in the region. This report aims to inform decision-making processes for UNICEF, its partners, and donors by identifying funding gaps and implementation challenges in renewable energy programs. The report further seeks to guide the development and enhancement of strategies, ensuring that future electrification programs are effectively designed and executed to meet the needs of children and their communities in the region.