Calls to support frontline health workers and systems to increase children’s access to basic health services From Ted Chaiban, UNICEF Regional Director in the Middle East and North Africa and Dr. Ahmed Al-Mandhari, WHO Regional Director for the Eastern Mediterranean Region AMMAN, 15 June 2020 – “The COVID-19 pandemic is putting health systems under unprecedented … Continued

UNICEF launches #Reimagine, a global campaign to prevent the pandemic from becoming a lasting crisis for children NOTE: Irish spokespersons are available for interview DUBLIN/NEW YORK, 13 MAY 2020 – An additional 6,000 children could die every day from preventable causes over the next six months as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to weaken health systems and … Continued

New funding request is $1 billion more than March appeal, as countries reel from socioeconomic impact of COVID-19 DUBLIN/NEW YORK, 12 May 2020 – UNICEF is appealing for US$1.6 billion to support its humanitarian response for children impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, up from $651.6 million requested in a similar appeal late March. This increase reflects … Continued

STATEMENT by Peter Power, Executive Director of UNICEF Ireland DUBLIN 07.05.20 – Executive Director of UNICEF Ireland, Peter Power, reacting to recent media reports on the abolition of the Department of Children and Youth Affairs said: “I am deeply concerned by recent media reports suggesting that the abolition of the Department of Children and Youth Affairs is being considered as … Continued

NEW YORK/PARIS/ROME, 30 April 2020 – UNESCO, UNICEF, WFP and World Bank today issued new guidelines on the safe reopening of schools amidst ongoing closures affecting nearly 1.3 billion students worldwide. The agencies also warned that the widespread closures of educational facilities in response to the COVID-19 pandemic present an unprecedented risk to children’s education … Continued

Climate activist calls on young people, other supporters, to encourage everyone to support UNICEF’s vital work to save children’s lives NEW YORK, 30 April 2020 – Climate activist Greta Thunberg today launched a child rights driven campaign with Danish NGO Human Act to support UNICEF’s efforts to address the COVID-19 pandemic and protect children from … Continued

Embargoed until 00.01 GMT 25 April 2020 Mass measles immunisation campaigns suspended in 25 largely high-burden countries due to pandemic  NEW YORK, 25 April 2020 – As the world waits desperately for a vaccine, the COVID-19 pandemic is continuing to surge across the globe. Millions of children are in danger of missing life-saving vaccines against measles, … Continued

Ninety-nine per cent of world’s children live with some form of pandemic-related restrictions; sixty per cent live in countries with full or partial lockdowns Statement by UNICEF Executive Director Henrietta Fore DUBLIN/NEW YORK, 9 April 2020 – “The world is currently united in a shared struggle against an invisible enemy. But while our eyes are … Continued

COPENHAGEN/NEW YORK, 27 March 2020 – As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to grow, UNICEF is procuring and shipping vital supplies, including desperately required personal protective equipment (PPE), to countries affected. UNICEF is engaged with approximately 1,000 suppliers and industry leaders across the world, to find a solution to current market constraints. Despite the extreme market conditions, … Continued

UN launches global humanitarian response plan to COVID-19 pandemic  Remarks by UNICEF Executive Director Henrietta Fore (check against delivery)    NOTE: Multimedia assets here NOTE: UNICEF Ireland Exec. Dir. Peter Power is available for interview on the impending global Covid-19 humanitarian crisis, and impact on children*   NEW YORK, 25 March 2020 – “In just a … Continued

United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs COVID-19 Global Humanitarian Response Plan UN humanitarian chief warns that failing to help vulnerable countries fight the coronavirus now could place millions at risk and leave the virus free to circle back around the globe. UN launches US$2 billion global humanitarian response to fight COVID-19 in … Continued

Interruption to key water station in the northeast of Syria puts 460,000 people at risk as efforts ramp up to prevent the spread of Coronavirus disease From Fran Equiza, UNICEF Representative in Syria DAMASCUS, 23 March 2020 – “Yet again the water supply from the Allouk water station in the northeast of Syria has been interrupted. … Continued