Traditional leaders are playing an essential role in raising awareness over COVID-19

SUVA, 24 April 2020 – Thousands of children living in the Pacific Islands remain in urgent need in the aftermath of Tropical Cyclone Harold, a category five cyclone that tore through Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, Fiji and Tonga causing widespread destruction to homes, schools, medical clinics, as well as damaging food crops and water supplies. UNICEF…

The COVID-19 pandemic poses an extraordinary challenge to the world. Currently affecting more than 200 countries and territories, the virus has upended the lives of children and their families everywhere, placing a huge strain on often already overburdened health and education systems. UNICEF is working with governments, partners and businesses to…

This technical note is intended to provide a simple checklist for policy-makers, partners and UNICEF staff as they engage in the design and implementation of COVD-19 related social protection interventions. It builds on the SPIAC-B Joint Statement on the role of social protection in responding to the pandemic, particularly the need for urgent…

Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) controls in many countries have come hand-in-hand with a suspension of gender-based violence (GBV) services. Some services are now phone-based, but this is not a solution that works for all. This short discussion note for GBV specialists explores low-tech ways to reach women and girls at risk of violence. Download…

The outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has brought with it fear and uncertainty. Many parents are asking about when there will be a COVID-19 vaccine and what to do about routine childhood vaccinations during the pandemic. We're here to provide answers to your most common questions. When will the vaccine for the coronavirus disease (…, Coronavirus Q&A, A conversation with Professor Julie Leask, Public Health expert at the University of Sydney.     >>  Learn more about immunization >>  World Immunization Week

JOHANNESBURG/NAIROBI/NEW YORK, 23 April 2020 – Once called the “world’s most defiantly joyful song”, Miriam Makeba’s ‘Pata Pata’ has been rerecorded by UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador Angélique Kidjo, to spread information and hope in a time of Coronavirus. Without any alteration to chords or syllables, though with several changes to the lyrics, ‘Pata…

KINSHASA, 21 April 2020 – Amid the growing COVID-19 epidemic, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is continuing its routine immunization activities to tackle measles outbreaks in the North Kivu province, in the east of the country. Since 1 January 2020, 3,167 cases of measles have been reported in North Kivu province. Children under the age…

The global coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic is confronting families with the threat of a disease outbreak in their communities. It reveals what is at stake when we lack the protective shield of immunization. There is no vaccine yet to protect against COVID-19. Health systems around the world are overstretched and the longer the pandemic continues,…, Getting vaccines to children who need them, >>  Learn more about immunization >>  World Immunization Week  

Adama Traoré lives in the village of Sadiola, in the Kayes region of Mali in the west of the country. He has been working as a vaccinator in the community health centre of Sadiola for more than 10 years. "When I was young, we had poor neighbours. One day, one of their kids suddenly started to get pimples on his body, red eyes and a high fever. He…