GENEVA, 17 April 2020 – “People around the world are anxiously tracking the numbers of new cases and deaths due to COVID-19. But in doing so, we are distracted from the catastrophic effects of the pandemic on children. The effects of the pandemic are not limited to health but extend to many dimensions of children's lives: their education, safety…

NEW YORK, 17 April 2020 – “Today there are 250 million children around the world living in areas under conflict. Each of these children needs warring parties to heed the call of the UN Secretary General to lay down their weapons as part of a global ceasefire to confront the COVID-19 pandemic. Each of these children needs to finally be safe from…

Vaccines protect children against disease and death, saving up to three million lives every year – more than five lives saved every minute of every day. Yet, the poorest, most vulnerable children who need immunization the most continue to be the least likely to get it. Low immunization rates compromise progress in all other areas of health for…

A sudden surge in returnees is straining services, especially the health system

ABUJA, 16 April 2020 – UNICEF today received a delivery of vital health supplies to support the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic in Nigeria on a flight funded by the Maersk Division APM Terminals. The supplies include 10,000 test kits, 15 oxygen concentrators, personal protective equipment (PPE), vaccines, emergency health kits and other vital…

In an effort to address the impacts of coronavirus disease (COVID-19), companies are making a number of socially beneficial communications to the public. It is essential that these communications avoid harmful stereotypes and seek to depict positive and progressive gender portrayals. This document provides considerations for corporate entities…

If your family is stuck at home during the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak, it’s likely your children are spending a lot more time online. School, chats with friends and grandparents, even music lessons — so much has shifted online. Being connected helps children and teenagers reduce the impact of this new (temporary) normal and encourages…, 5 ways you can help keep your children safe online, 1. Keep them safe with open communication Have an honest dialogue with your children about who they communicate with and how. Make sure they understand the value of kind and supportive interactions and that mean, discriminatory or inappropriate contact is never acceptable. If your children experience any of these, encourage them to tell you or a…

This reference guide has been developed to support CSO partners in navigating the impact of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) on programme partnerships with UNICEF. In recognition of the pandemic’s evolving nature, this guidance note may be further adapted to respond to changing programming and operational contexts and reflect consultations with CSO…

This guide serves to inform businesses on the different actions they can take and contributions they can make to help reduce the impact of COVID-19 on children and families. Download file (PDF, 557,03 KB)

COVID-19 has upended the lives of children and families across the globe and is impacting efforts to end child marriage and female genital mutilation (FGM). This technical note compiles some of the evidence on harmful practices in the time of a public health emergency and proposes programmatic responses on a policy level; systems level; in terms…