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Press releases

Breaking news, statements and reactions from UNICEF offices around the world

Press releases: 1989 results
Statement
03 February 2023
World will miss target of ending FGM by 2030 without urgent action – including from men and boys
https://www.unicef.org/press-releases/world-will-miss-target-ending-fgm-2030-without-urgent-action-including-men-and-boys
NEW YORK, 3 February 2023 – “This year, 4.3 million girls are at risk of female genital mutilation, according to the latest UNFPA estimates. This number is projected to reach 4.6 million by 2030, as conflict, climate change, rising poverty and inequality continue to hinder efforts to transform gender and social norms that underpin this harmful…
Female genital mutilation
FGM
Global
Statement
03 February 2023
World will miss target of ending FGM by 2030 without urgent action – including from men and boys
https://www.unicef.org/press-releases/world-will-miss-target-ending-fgm-2030-without-urgent-action-including-men-and-boys

NEW YORK, 3 February 2023 – “This year, 4.3 million girls are at risk of female genital mutilation, according to the latest UNFPA estimates. This number is projected to reach 4.6 million by 2030, as conflict, climate change, rising poverty and inequality continue to hinder efforts to transform gender and social norms that underpin this harmful…

Remarks
30 January 2023
Afghanistan: UNICEF Deputy Executive Director Omar Abdi's remarks at UN Press Briefing
https://www.unicef.org/press-releases/afghanistan-unicef-deputy-executive-director-omar-abdis-remarks-un-press-briefing
NEW YORK, 30 January 2023 - "In addition to [requesting the repeal of] the ban [on female humanitarian workers at national and international NGOs from working across Afghanistan] we have requested and advocated for the full inclusion of girls and women in public life, and especially in public secondary education and tertiary education.  "The…
Girls education
Education
Humanitarian action and emergencies
Afghanistan
South Asia
Remarks
30 January 2023
Afghanistan: UNICEF Deputy Executive Director Omar Abdi's remarks at UN Press Briefing
https://www.unicef.org/press-releases/afghanistan-unicef-deputy-executive-director-omar-abdis-remarks-un-press-briefing

NEW YORK, 30 January 2023 - "In addition to [requesting the repeal of] the ban [on female humanitarian workers at national and international NGOs from working across Afghanistan] we have requested and advocated for the full inclusion of girls and women in public life, and especially in public secondary education and tertiary education.  "The…

Statement
29 January 2023
UNICEF calls for the protection of all children amidst increased violence in the State of Palestine and Israel
https://www.unicef.org/press-releases/unicef-calls-protection-all-children-amidst-increased-violence-state-palestine-and
AMMAN, 29 January 2023 - “UNICEF is alarmed by the latest escalation of violence that has left many children dead and injured in the State of Palestine and Israel. All children are entitled to special protection under international human rights law, and all their rights including the right to life and protection must be upheld at all times. “…
Armed conflict
Child rights
Humanitarian action and emergencies
Israel
State of Palestine
Statement
29 January 2023
UNICEF calls for the protection of all children amidst increased violence in the State of Palestine and Israel
https://www.unicef.org/press-releases/unicef-calls-protection-all-children-amidst-increased-violence-state-palestine-and

AMMAN, 29 January 2023 - “UNICEF is alarmed by the latest escalation of violence that has left many children dead and injured in the State of Palestine and Israel. All children are entitled to special protection under international human rights law, and all their rights including the right to life and protection must be upheld at all times. “…

Statement
27 January 2023
UNICEF calls for immediate and unconditional release of abducted children in the Democratic Republic of the Congo
https://www.unicef.org/press-releases/unicef-calls-immediate-and-unconditional-release-abducted-children-democratic
KINSHASA, 27 January 2023 – UNICEF has called for the immediate and unconditional release of at least 13 children reported to have been abducted this week by a non-state armed group during an attack near the city of Butembo, in the North Kivu province of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The 11 boys and two girls – aged between 12 and 14 - are…
Child protection
Armed conflict
Democratic Republic of the Congo
Statement
27 January 2023
UNICEF calls for immediate and unconditional release of abducted children in the Democratic Republic of the Congo
https://www.unicef.org/press-releases/unicef-calls-immediate-and-unconditional-release-abducted-children-democratic

KINSHASA, 27 January 2023 – UNICEF has called for the immediate and unconditional release of at least 13 children reported to have been abducted this week by a non-state armed group during an attack near the city of Butembo, in the North Kivu province of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The 11 boys and two girls – aged between 12 and 14 - are…

Press release
24 January 2023
11 months of war in Ukraine have disrupted education for more than five million children
https://www.unicef.org/press-releases/11-months-war-ukraine-have-disrupted-education-more-five-million-children
KYIV/GENEVA/NEW YORK, 24 January 2023 – The ongoing war in Ukraine has disrupted education for more than five million children, UNICEF warned today, calling for increased international support to ensure children do not fall further behind. The impact of 11 months of conflict only compounds the two years of lost learning due to the COVID-19…
Armed conflict
Education
Humanitarian action and emergencies
Refugee and migrant children
Europe and Central Asia
Ukraine
Press release
24 January 2023
11 months of war in Ukraine have disrupted education for more than five million children
https://www.unicef.org/press-releases/11-months-war-ukraine-have-disrupted-education-more-five-million-children

KYIV/GENEVA/NEW YORK, 24 January 2023 – The ongoing war in Ukraine has disrupted education for more than five million children, UNICEF warned today, calling for increased international support to ensure children do not fall further behind. The impact of 11 months of conflict only compounds the two years of lost learning due to the COVID-19…

Remarks
17 January 2023
UNICEF Geneva Palais briefing: Pakistan’s rains may have stopped, but children are still dying
https://www.unicef.org/press-releases/unicef-geneva-palais-briefing-pakistans-rains-may-have-stopped-children-are-still
GENEVA/ISLAMABAD, 17 January 2023 - “The rains have ended; and sadly, to a great degree, so has media attention. And yet 4 million children fight for survival near contaminated and stagnant flood waters. "With homes destroyed, they are suffering a bitter winter, without decent shelter. "You will have all seen the images that tell this…
Flooding
Humanitarian action and emergencies
Pakistan
South Asia
Remarks
17 January 2023
UNICEF Geneva Palais briefing: Pakistan’s rains may have stopped, but children are still dying
https://www.unicef.org/press-releases/unicef-geneva-palais-briefing-pakistans-rains-may-have-stopped-children-are-still

GENEVA/ISLAMABAD, 17 January 2023 - “The rains have ended; and sadly, to a great degree, so has media attention. And yet 4 million children fight for survival near contaminated and stagnant flood waters. "With homes destroyed, they are suffering a bitter winter, without decent shelter. "You will have all seen the images that tell this…

Press release
16 January 2023
Children from the poorest households benefit the least from national public education funding – UNICEF
https://www.unicef.org/press-releases/children-poorest-households-benefit-least-national-public-education-funding-unicef
NEW YORK, 17 January 2023 – Children from the poorest households benefit the least from national public education funding, UNICEF said in a new report released today, while calling for additional – and more equitable – investment to lift millions of children out of a learning crisis. The report, Transforming Education with Equitable Financing ,…
Education
Global
Press release
16 January 2023
Children from the poorest households benefit the least from national public education funding – UNICEF
https://www.unicef.org/press-releases/children-poorest-households-benefit-least-national-public-education-funding-unicef

NEW YORK, 17 January 2023 – Children from the poorest households benefit the least from national public education funding, UNICEF said in a new report released today, while calling for additional – and more equitable – investment to lift millions of children out of a learning crisis. The report, Transforming Education with Equitable Financing ,…

Press release
16 January 2023
25 million Nigerians at high risk of food insecurity in 2023
https://www.unicef.org/press-releases/25-million-nigerians-high-risk-food-insecurity-2023
ABUJA, 16 January 2023 - Nearly 25 million Nigerians are at risk of facing hunger between June and August 2023 (lean season) if urgent action is not taken, according to the October 2022 Cadre Harmonisé, a Government led and UN-supported food and nutrition analysis carried out twice a year. This is a projected increase from the estimated 17 million…
Food crisis and famine
Humanitarian action and emergencies
Nigeria
West and Central Africa
Press release
16 January 2023
25 million Nigerians at high risk of food insecurity in 2023
https://www.unicef.org/press-releases/25-million-nigerians-high-risk-food-insecurity-2023

ABUJA, 16 January 2023 - Nearly 25 million Nigerians are at risk of facing hunger between June and August 2023 (lean season) if urgent action is not taken, according to the October 2022 Cadre Harmonisé, a Government led and UN-supported food and nutrition analysis carried out twice a year. This is a projected increase from the estimated 17 million…

Press release
13 January 2023
UNICEF welcomes Canada’s contribution of US$188 million to support COVID-19 response and health systems strengthening
https://www.unicef.org/press-releases/unicef-welcomes-canadas-contribution-us188-million-support-covid-19-response-and
NEW YORK, 13 January 2023 -- UNICEF welcomes today’s announcement of CAD $70 million by the Government of Canada, bringing Canada’s contribution  towards the 2022 Access to COVID-19 Tools Accelerator (ACT-A) Humanitarian Action for Children appeal up to CAD 255 million (US $188 million). Canada’s support for the continuing pandemic response and…
COVID-19
Immunization
Canada
Global
Press release
13 January 2023
UNICEF welcomes Canada’s contribution of US$188 million to support COVID-19 response and health systems strengthening
https://www.unicef.org/press-releases/unicef-welcomes-canadas-contribution-us188-million-support-covid-19-response-and

NEW YORK, 13 January 2023 -- UNICEF welcomes today’s announcement of CAD $70 million by the Government of Canada, bringing Canada’s contribution  towards the 2022 Access to COVID-19 Tools Accelerator (ACT-A) Humanitarian Action for Children appeal up to CAD 255 million (US $188 million). Canada’s support for the continuing pandemic response and…

Press release
12 January 2023
Urgent action needed as acute malnutrition threatens the lives of millions of vulnerable children
https://www.unicef.org/press-releases/urgent-action-needed-acute-malnutrition-threatens-lives-millions-vulnerable-children
GENEVA, NEW YORK, ROME, 12 January 2023 - United Nations agencies are calling for urgent action to protect the most vulnerable children in the 15 countries hardest hit by an unprecedented food and nutrition crisis. Conflict, climate shocks, the ongoing impacts of COVID-19, and rising costs of living are leaving increasing numbers of children…
Malnutrition
Global
Press release
12 January 2023
Urgent action needed as acute malnutrition threatens the lives of millions of vulnerable children
https://www.unicef.org/press-releases/urgent-action-needed-acute-malnutrition-threatens-lives-millions-vulnerable-children

GENEVA, NEW YORK, ROME, 12 January 2023 - United Nations agencies are calling for urgent action to protect the most vulnerable children in the 15 countries hardest hit by an unprecedented food and nutrition crisis. Conflict, climate shocks, the ongoing impacts of COVID-19, and rising costs of living are leaving increasing numbers of children…

Press release
09 January 2023
A child or youth died once every 4.4 seconds in 2021 – UN report
https://www.unicef.org/press-releases/child-or-youth-died-once-every-44-seconds-2021-un-report
NEW YORK/GENEVA/WASHINGTON D.C., 10 January 2023 – An estimated 5 million children died before their fifth birthday and another 2.1 million children and youth aged between 5–24 years lost their lives in 2021, according to the latest estimates released by the United Nations Inter-agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation (UN IGME). In a separate…
Health
Maternal health
Newborn health
Global
Press release
09 January 2023
A child or youth died once every 4.4 seconds in 2021 – UN report
https://www.unicef.org/press-releases/child-or-youth-died-once-every-44-seconds-2021-un-report

NEW YORK/GENEVA/WASHINGTON D.C., 10 January 2023 – An estimated 5 million children died before their fifth birthday and another 2.1 million children and youth aged between 5–24 years lost their lives in 2021, according to the latest estimates released by the United Nations Inter-agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation (UN IGME). In a separate…

Press release
09 January 2023
Up to 4 million children in Pakistan still living next to stagnant and contaminated floodwater
https://www.unicef.org/press-releases/4-million-children-pakistan-still-living-next-stagnant-and-contaminated-floodwater
ISLAMABAD, 9 January 2023 – More than four months after a national state of emergency was declared in Pakistan, up to 4 million children are still living near contaminated and stagnant flood waters, risking their survival and wellbeing, UNICEF warned today. Acute respiratory infections among children, a leading cause of child mortality worldwide,…
Climate change
Climate change and impacts
Flooding
Humanitarian action and emergencies
Water, sanitation and hygiene
Water borne diseases
Pakistan
South Asia
Press release
09 January 2023
Up to 4 million children in Pakistan still living next to stagnant and contaminated floodwater
https://www.unicef.org/press-releases/4-million-children-pakistan-still-living-next-stagnant-and-contaminated-floodwater

ISLAMABAD, 9 January 2023 – More than four months after a national state of emergency was declared in Pakistan, up to 4 million children are still living near contaminated and stagnant flood waters, risking their survival and wellbeing, UNICEF warned today. Acute respiratory infections among children, a leading cause of child mortality worldwide,…

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