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

Everyone is talking about coronavirus disease (COVID-19), and everywhere you look there’s information on the virus and how to protect yourself from it. Knowing the facts is key to being properly prepared and protecting yourself and your loved ones. Sadly, there’s a lot of information out there that is incorrect. Misinformation during a health crisis … Continued

UNICEF Ireland Executive Director Peter Power has written an open letter to the people of Ireland as Covid-19 continues to spread around the world, endangering those who are most vulnerable amongst us. During this critical period, Covid–19 reminds us all about the essential make-up of the Irish DNA. Our generosity of spirit is at the … Continued

Sarah Crowe Senior Advisor in UNICEF Office of Research-Innocenti, Florence, Italy   First, there was racial distancing – locals taking a wide berth around Chinese tourists – then there the jokes – Italians having a good time when the world thought they were in the midst of a plague. Locals scoffed when one after the … Continued

Vectors not victims, so we are told. But what happens to children caught up in the Covid-19 crisis? Where do they go when their loved ones get sick? Who looks after those who most need looking after? One little girl in China found herself in exactly this position… relying on the kindness of strangers. Thankfully, … Continued

How to talk to your child about coronavirus (COVID-19)  5 tips to help comfort and protect children.  Unprecedented. Uncharted territory. The biggest health challenge of the century. There has been so much said about the ongoing coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak and it can be easy to feel overwhelmed.   The same is true for children, who may struggle to understand, or put in … Continued

The Syrian war is entering its ninth year. Today, there are Syrian children such as Kinda, who you’ll read more about below, who have never known peace. Who have never known the feeling of safety. Never had a bed to call their own. Having lived through violence, bombs, machine-gun fire, hunger and freezing temperatures, Syria’s … Continued