SYDNEY, 17 August 2016 – UNICEF urges Australian Immigration Minister Peter Dutton to seriously consider resettlement options in credible third countries that are equipped to respond to the complex needs of refugees and their families, in the wake of news that an agreement has been made to close the Manus Island detention centre. “Australia’s offshore … Continued

SANA’A, 13 August 2016 – An airstrike Saturday morning killed at least seven children and injured 21 others in a religious school in the Sa’ada governorate in northern Yemen. The children killed, aged between six and 14 years, were studying in a school in the Juma’a Bin Fadil village in Haydan. Bodies are still being pulled … Continued

On International Youth Day, a new poll highlights prevalence of bullying and its devastating impact on young people DUBLIN/NEW YORK, 12 August 2016: More than nine out of 10 young people believe bullying is a pervasive problem in their communities, and two-thirds say they have experienced bullying first hand – a new poll conducted by … Continued

BANGUI, 12 August 2016— At least 16 people have died in the first cholera outbreak in the Central African Republic (CAR) since 2011. The outbreak was declared by the national authorities on 10 August. 66 cases, including at least seven children have been recorded along the Oubangui River. “Young children, especially those under five years … Continued

NEW YORK, 11 August 2016 – The sobering news that two children have been paralyzed by wild poliovirus in northeastern Nigeria underscores the urgency of eradicating the disease in conflict-affected areas, UNICEF said today. The Government of Nigeria and the World Health Organisation have confirmed an outbreak of wild poliovirus in conflict-ridden Borno state, where … Continued

New study and allegations of abuse highlight the need for a permanent solution SYDNEY, 10 August 2016 – UNICEF has again called on the Australian Government to provide a permanent resettlement solution for asylum seekers and refugees on Nauru* as allegations of child sexual abuse, gender based violence and of cruel and inhumane conditions re-emerge, only weeks … Continued

DAMASCUS, 9 August 2016 – Two million people in Aleppo are left with no access to running water through the public network, as escalation of attacks and fighting damaged electricity networks essential to pump water supplies throughout the city. On 31 July attacks struck the electricity transmission station which powered water pumping to the eastern … Continued

Statement attributable to Julien Harneis, UNICEF representative in Yemen on the killings of children in recent escalation of violence SANA’A, 9 August 2016 – “Four children were reportedly killed and three were injured on 7 August in the Nihm District, east of the Yemeni Capital, Sana’a. UNICEF deplores such acts and urges all parties to … Continued

Children’s lives threatened by lack of clean water, poor sanitation, alligators in flood waters No deaths reported in category 1 event, but thousands of homes destroyed UNICEF will provide education and psychosocial support for displaced children Charity pledges to ensure government shelters are child-friendly amid concerns DUBLIN/BELIZE CITY, 5 August 2016 – More than 110,000 children … Continued

UNICEF Regional Director for the Middle East and North Africa, Saad Houry, calls for the protection of all children in Aleppo AMMAN, 2 August 2016 – UNICEF is extremely concerned for the safety and well-being of all children caught up in the escalating violence in the city of Aleppo in northern Syria. The escalation of this … Continued

 Delayed breastfeeding increases risk of newborn deaths by up to 80 per cent  800,000 lives would be saved every year if babies were breastfed to 6 months   *Download broadcast quality photos and video*   DUBLIN/NEW YORK, 2 AUGUST 2016 – Some 77 million newborns – or 1 in 2 – are not put to … Continued

*Multimedia assets can be downloaded here: http://uni.cf/2aIxf9J* LONDON/ERBIL, 2 August 2016 – UNICEF Ambassador Ewan McGregor travelled to northern Iraq last week to see how the conflicts sweeping across Iraq and Syria are devastating children’s lives. Tens of thousands of children have been killed, injured, separated from their parents, forced to work, tortured and recruited … Continued