More than four decades since it was discovered, Ebola is no less terrifying for adults and children today than it was when the “haemorrhagic fever” was first identified in a village in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), in 1976. The country is currently grappling with the second largest Ebola epidemic on record anywhere in the world, with…

Challenge, For children entering adolescence, new experiences bring new risks. Violence, abuse and exploitation can take different forms as children age. In addition to bullying and extreme discipline, adolescents may face gender-based violence, intimate partner violence and violence from gangs or armed groups. Adolescents who grow up in neglectful homes,…, Help #ENDviolence, What’s more, digital connectivity creates new ways for bullies, abusers and exploiters to target others. For adolescents in humanitarian settings , risks mount. Conflict and disaster may force them onto risky migration routes. They may be killed or maimed, detained, forced to take on hazardous work, subjected to sexual violence or exploitation, or…, Key facts, video, UNICEF’s work to keep adolescents safe and supported, Adolescents need support and protection in their homes, at school , in their social environments and online . To protect their rights and help them reach their full potential, UNICEF meets adolescents where they are – not only in their communities, but in justice and social welfare systems too. Our work: Supports parenting programmes to promote…, More from UNICEF, Resources, Adolescents and Violence From UNICEF’s #EndViolence campaign, find facts and figures on violence against adolescents. A Familiar Face: Violence in the Lives of Children and Adolescents Read this overview of the latest global data on violence against children and adolescents. Child Marriage: Latest Trends and Future Prospects Explore the latest…

Challenge, During conflicts, natural disasters and other humanitarian emergencies, adolescents shoulder immense burdens. They can be found on the frontlines of response efforts, protecting their communities and environments. Many are forced to drop out of school to help care and provide for their families. Others are cut off from education – and basic needs…, Investing in adolescents in humanitarian action, In all stages of humanitarian action, adolescents have much to contribute. Their knowledge on social dynamics and man-made disasters – like flooding, erosion, pollution, disease outbreak and more – helps countries prepare for, respond to, and recover from crises. And their firsthand experience of emergencies can bring nation-wide solutions for…, More from UNICEF, Resources, Programme Guidance for the Second Decade: Programming with and for Adolescents Learn more about the guiding principles and priorities of UNICEF’s work on adolescent development and participation. Core Commitments for Children in Humanitarian Action Explore UNICEF’s central policy to uphold the rights of children affected by humanitarian…

Challenge, Adolescents are 1.2 billion strong – and growing. They are directly affected by the decisions world leaders make in education, health and employment, but often excluded from the decision-making. Adolescents have strong views on the policies and programmes that shape their lives and communities. They have the right to be heard , the right to engage…, Promoting participation and civic engagement, Adolescents find many ways to participate in their societies – whether challenging injustice, fostering peace, or exploring innovative solutions to local challenges. Promoting civic engagement is key to UNICEF’s work. We empower adolescents and enable them to become drivers of change through a variety of actions. We promote policies and laws that…, More from UNICEF, Resources, ENGAGED AND HEARD! Guidelines on Adolescent Participation and Civic Engagement ENGAGED AND HEARD! Guidelines on Adolescent Participation and Civic Engagement The Guidelines are intended to support the design of meaningful and equitable Adolescent Participation and Civic Engagement. They provide information on the ‘why’, ‘what’ and ‘how-to’ of…

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Challenge, The second decade of life is a time of transformation. During adolescence (ages 10–19), girls and boys begin to interact with the world in new ways – taking chances, learning skills and experiencing unfamiliar emotions. They venture beyond their families to form powerful connections with peers. They search for ways to stand out and belong, to find…, Key facts, There are 1.2 billion adolescents worldwide – the largest cohort ever, and the most educated and urbanized. 90 per cent of adolescents live in low- and middle-income countries, and 125 million live in areas affected by armed conflict. Sub-Saharan Africa’s growing adolescent population, expected to reach 500 million by 2050, has the potential to…, A window of opportunity, The rapid physical and cognitive development that marks adolescence creates a critical window of opportunity. The adolescent brain develops at a rate unseen since early childhood – making girls and boys hypersensitive to influences in their environments. Adolescents’ inclination to try new things can spark innovation and achievement, but it can…, Resources, ENGAGED AND HEARD! Guidelines on Adolescent Participation and Civic Engagement These guidelines have been developed to enhance systematic programming and advocacy to realize adolescents’ right to be heard in matters affecting them. Programme Guidance for the Second Decade: Programming with and for Adolescents These guidelines have been developed…, UNICEF’s work with adolescents, Investing in adolescents strengthens their ability to advance human rights and build a bright future for themselves, their families and entire countries. UNICEF takes a life-course approach to adolescent development and participation, identifying critical risks and opportunities that have implications for the realization of children’s rights, from…

Dorian intro, Hurricane Dorian left many families in the Bahamas facing devastation. Thousands of children were exposed to the impact of the hurricane, with many in urgent need of humanitarian assistance. UNICEF moved quickly to provide life-saving supplies for children and families in need. Read more about UNICEF's response ., What happened, Bahamas. An aerial view of Marsh Harbour after being struck by Hurricane Dorian. Marsh Harbour on Abaco Island, the Bahamas, is seen from the air three days after being devastated by Hurricane Dorian. On 1 September 2019, Category-5 Hurricane Dorian hit Abaco and Grand Bahama islands, leaving behind a path of destruction unprecedented in this…, Latest updates, “We saw dead bodies all around and it was scary.” 13-year-old Britney is one of over 18,000 children now in urgent need after #HurricaneDorian tore through the Bahamas last week. pic.twitter.com/CpLWuI893v — UNICEF (@UNICEF) September 24, 2019 We’re training school counselors, teachers, and social workers across the Bahamas to deliver emotional…, How is UNICEF responding?, On 7 September, UNICEF announced the arrival to Nassau, Bahamas of a plane carrying nearly 1.5 tons of lifesaving supplies to help provide access to safe water for over 9,500 children and families left reeling by Hurricane Dorian. This first supply shipment of UNICEF humanitarian items was freighted by the International Federation of Red Cross and…

NEW YORK, 8 September 2019 – A UNICEF installation to show the devastating scale of child deaths in conflict zones in 2018 was unveiled today at the United Nations in New York. The haunting display features 3,758 backpacks in rows reminiscent of a graveyard, each one representing a senseless loss of a young life to conflict. The installation,…

NASSAU/PANAMA/NEW YORK, 7 September 2019 – Today UNICEF announced the arrival to Nassau, Bahamas of a plane carrying nearly 1.5 tons of lifesaving supplies that will help provide access to safe water for over 9,500 children and families left reeling by Hurricane Dorian. This first supply shipment of UNICEF humanitarian items was freighted by the…

The powerful storm has left mile after mile of destruction in its wake