Update on UNICEF humanitarian action (First regular session 2026)

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This update shows how UNICEF is prioritizing its humanitarian action amid challenging resource constraints, the humanitarian reset and the UN80 Initiative. It contains examples from the prioritization of interventions across countries in the 2025 Humanitarian Action for Children appeal, including linkages with national Governments and development partners.

The “hyper-prioritization” of humanitarian interventions comes with risks for children that UNICEF is working to mitigate; and with opportunities to make humanitarian action better. Committed to fulfilling its child rights mandate in all circumstances, UNICEF is actively engaged in both the humanitarian reset and UN80 processes to ensure that systems – humanitarian and development – can meet the needs of millions of children who continue to suffer the worst effects of rising conflict, violence, climate emergencies and disasters. Governments must be the first line of response to prevent protection violations, address humanitarian needs and invest in risk-sensitive and resilient services for children, with regional and international humanitarian partners supporting preparedness, strengthening system resilience and providing direct responses only when necessary.

United Nations Children’s Fund
Executive Board
First regular session 2026
10–13 February 2026