20 February 2017, Dublin/Juba/South Sudan – War and a collapsing economy have left some 100,000 people facing starvation in parts of South Sudan where famine was declared today, three UN agencies warned. A further 1 million people are classified as being on the brink of famine. The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations … Continued

Statement by UNICEF Regional Director Geert Cappelaere on reports of children killed and injured in Syria AMMAN, 10 February 2017 – ”Violence in Syria this week has reportedly killed at least 20 children and injured others in several areas across the war-torn country. “In Idlib earlier in the week, violence reportedly left 30 people dead, including … Continued

NEW YORK, 8 February 2017 – “We are saddened and outraged by the cruel killings today of six workers for the International Committee of the Red Cross in northern Afghanistan, and two workers for the Syrian Arab Red Crescent in Aleppo, Syria. “Our deepest sympathy is with the families of those who lost their lives, … Continued

Statement by UNFPA Executive Director Dr. Babatunde Osotimehin and UNICEF Executive Director Anthony Lake on the 2017 International Day of Zero Tolerance for FGM NEW YORK, 6 February 2017 – “It irreparably damages girls’ bodies, inflicting excruciating pain. It causes extreme emotional trauma that can last a lifetime. “It increases the risk of deadly complications … Continued

Kyiv/Geneva, 6 February 2017 – Thousands of children have been forced out of school in eastern Ukraine due to last week’s surge in fighting. At least five schools and two kindergartens have been damaged by heavy shelling and 11 other schools have had to close, according to humanitarian organisations supporting the emergency education response in … Continued

Film available for download here: http://uni.cf/2knTBi3 *NOTE* Executive Director of UNICEF Ireland Peter Power is available for interview DUBLIN/NEW YORK, 3 February 2017 – A powerful new UNICEF film presenting the parallel stories of a young Syrian refugee and a World War II child refugee was released today as a stark illustration of the challenges … Continued

DUBLIN/KYIV/GENEVA – Following intense fighting over the last two days around the town of Avdiivka, Donetsk region, more than 17,000 people – including 2,500 children – are facing freezing weather without any heating, electricity or water. Six schools and four kindergartens have also closed in the area due to the violence, putting education on hold and children … Continued

As the intensity of violence decreases, children head back to school with UNICEF support DAMASCUS/AMMAN, 31 January 2017 – In the past weeks, UNICEF has supported the re-opening of 23 primary schools in the eastern parts of Aleppo city, allowing nearly 6,500 children to return to school. UNICEF has provided school supplies, developed an accelerated learning … Continued

Malnutrition poses “silent threat” to children, UNICEF’s 2017 appeal says   *NOTE* Executive Director of UNICEF Ireland Peter Power is available for interview DUBLIN/NEW YORK/GENEVA, 31 January 2017 – 48 million children living through some of the world’s worst conflicts and other humanitarian emergencies will benefit from UNICEF’s 2017 appeal, which was launched today. From … Continued

DUBLIN/NEW YORK, 30 January 2017 – The needs of refugees have never been greater. Worldwide 28 million children have been uprooted by conflict, driven from their homes by violence and terror. They need our help. UNICEF is committed to continuing our work with governments and other partners around the world to help some of the most … Continued

Abuja, Nigeria 26 January 2017 – In a major vaccination campaign concluding this week, 4.7 million children are being vaccinated in response to a measles outbreak in northeast Nigeria. The campaign is covering the three states most affected by the Boko Haram conflict – Adamawa, Borno and Yobe – where insecurity has limited vaccination efforts. … Continued

For multimedia content please visit BAGHDAD, 24 January 2017 – 100 days after military operations to retake Mosul started, humanitarian partners are expressing deep concern about the plight of the estimated 750,000 civilians who are currently living in the western sections of the city where fighting is expected to start in coming weeks. “We are … Continued