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

UNICEF statement on attack on humanitarian convoy in northeastern Nigeria NEW YORK, 28 July 2016 – Today unknown assailants attacked a humanitarian convoy that included staff from UNICEF, UNFPA and IOM. The convoy was traveling from Bama to Maiduguri in Borno State, Nigeria, returning from delivering desperately needed humanitarian assistance. UNICEF can confirm that a … Continued

Statement attributable to Hanaa Singer, UNICEF Syria Representative, on attacks in Qamishli and Idlib Damascus, 28 July 2016 – UNICEF deplores yesterday’s shocking attack which reportedly killed more than 50 people, including many children, in the northern Syrian city of Qamishli. Local hospitals are overwhelmed treating more than 150 injured people. UNICEF is informed that … Continued

DUBLIN/AMMAN, 27 July 2016 – Four hospitals in eastern Aleppo city – al-Dakkak, al-Bayan, al-Hakim and al-Zahraa – and a blood blank were reportedly hit several times on 23 and 24 July disrupting key life-saving health services for up to 300,000 civilians. According to reports, a two-day-old baby died in his incubator due to interruptions … Continued

Statement attributable to Hanaa Singer, UNICEF representative in Syria on the killings of children in northern Syria DAMASCUS, 20 July 2016 – “This week in Syria, more than 20 children were reportedly killed in air strikes in Manbij and a 12-year-old boy was brutally murdered on-camera in Aleppo. “Such horrific incidents confront parties to this … Continued