The massive explosion that rocked the port of Beirut on August 4th, is the latest disaster to strike the country. A dire economic crisis, deepened by COVID-19, has already pushed families to the edge, with many unable to afford food, hygiene, water and fuel. Now the consequences of the Beirut explosion could push this fragile … Continued
Grainne Moloney UNICEF Regional Nutrition Specialist in Eastern and Southern Africa The COVID-19 pandemic has spread across the world. Children and adolescents are less directly affected by the virus, but they are the most vulnerable when critical food supplies and health services become overwhelmed and income levels drop. In Eastern and Southern Africa, countries … Continued
With the ongoing conflicts and disasters affecting millions of children and young people around the world, COVID 19 is a global socio-economic earthquake in the region’s conflict zones. It has arrived at a time of unprecedented global need, with a record 168 million people already requiring humanitarian assistance at the beginning of the year. Syria … Continued
In war-torn countries like Yemen and Syria, children are in terrible danger from COVID-19. They risk becoming the hidden victims of the virus because whilst they won’t die of it they will die because of it. 6,000 children could die every day as a direct consequence of the pandemic, that’s one child every 15 seconds, if we … Continued
The Rohingya population in Bangladesh is among the world’s most vulnerable communities. Currently, 400,000 children and their families live in the world’s largest refugee camp, Cox’s Bazar. The heavily congested camp is in one of the poorest, most disaster-prone areas of Bangladesh and the Rohingya community are at high risk from a deadly COVID-19 outbreak. On … Continued
This World Immunisation Week (April 24), it is more important than ever to think about vaccinating your child. Outbreaks of dangerous, preventable diseases are inevitable when pockets of children are left unprotected. The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak is confronting families around the world. Suddenly, parents are facing an urgent challenge: how to protect themselves and … Continued
By Donncha O’Callaghan, UNICEF Ireland Ambassador Nearly two years ago a deadly Ebola outbreak hit the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). So far, this epidemic has claimed over 2,000 lives, and infected 975 children. Last Sunday, April 12th, an official announcement was expected to declare the terrifying outbreak finally over. The country had gone over 6 weeks without a case, and amid the COVID-19 pandemic, this would have been a moment for us all to truly celebrate. But sadly, over the weekend, devastating news came through of the death of a 26-year old man … Continued
The Department of Education has announced contingency measures for the Leaving Certificate exams, due to the Covid-19 restrictions. Many of you (46,000) have spoken out about your concerns and preferred options through ISSU Irish Second-Level Students’ Union #ClarificationNow survey. ISSU has represented students views in meetings with the Department of Education as part of the … Continued
Thanks to our Supply Division, the world’s largest humanitarian supply warehouse, UNICEF is prepared and ready to respond to the urgent needs of children caught up emergencies whenever and wherever they need us. Our teams in Supply Division work to prepare and send lifesaving supplies in less than 72 hours. But it is only possible … Continued
The COVID-19 emergency pandemic has rapidly developed into an unprecedented global health emergency. Everything has changed so fast and it has taken almost all of us by surprise. Children and parents’ lives are being turned upside down and many of us are experiencing an emergency for the first time in our lives. Emergencies are often caused by natural disasters such as floods, earthquakes, and … Continued
Isabella Bizzotto is a 28-year old Italian nurse specialising in anesthesia and intensive care. She’s been working at the University Hospital in Padua (which is in Veneto, one of the hardest hit regions in Italy) since the beginning of the COVID-19 outbreak. We spoke to her about life on the front lines, the daily challenges … Continued
COVID-19, or coronavirus, has put Europe’s health systems and economies into a downward spiral. Millions of people around the world are working from home, schools are shut, and social distancing is the new normal. But what about children and families living in densely-populated refugee camps or countries with no functioning health service or poor sanitation? … Continued
