Press releases and news

Read the latest news and press releases on UNICEF's work for children around the world.

  • Vivienne Parry – Head of Media & Communications +353877175344
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UNICEF secures release of up to 10,000 child soldiers in Central African Republic

BANGUI, Central African Republic, 5 May 2015 - Leaders of armed groups in the Central African Republic agreed today to release all children associated with their forces and to immediately end any new child recruitment. An estimated 6,000 to 10,000 children are currently associated with the country?s armed factions according to UNICEF. The figure includes those serving as combatants and used for sexual purposes, as well as those working as cooks, messengers and in other roles.

Nepal earthquake one week on: UNICEF warns of disease risk for children

KATHMANDU, 2 May 2015 ? One week on from the earthquake in Nepal, UNICEF says the health and wellbeing of children affected by the disaster are hanging in the balance ? as many have been left homeless, in deep shock and with no access to basic care. With the monsoon season only a few weeks away, children will be at heightened risk of diseases like cholera and diarrhoeal infections, as well as being more vulnerable to the threat of landslides and floods.

Life-saving information helps reduce spread of Ebola across West Africa

Together with Ministries of Health and other partners across seven countries in West Africa, UNICEF is using text messages, radio shows, TV programmes and door-to-door campaigns to disseminate life-saving information in an effort to contain the often-fatal Ebola virus that has already claimed over one hundred lives in Guinea and Liberia.