COVID-19

Another wave of the pandemic, the war in Ukraine and the ensuing humanitarian crisis have left millions of children around the world homeless. The health, education and well-being of hundreds of thousands more children have been at risk. To fight child poverty, various campaigns of UNICEF Bulgaria and their benefactors reached over 13 thousand…

January 7, 2022, Sofia: 225 255 BGN were donated in support of the "Education for Every Child" campaign by the customers of all 45 supermarkets FANTASTICO in the period December 2, 2021 - January 5, 2022. A key role for this great result of the campaign was played by the over 700 cashiers in supermarkets, who have dedicated themselves to the cause…

NEW YORK, 9 December 2021 – COVID-19 has affected children at an unprecedented scale, making it the worst crisis for children UNICEF has seen in its 75-year history, the United Nations Children’s agency said in a report released today. The report  Preventing a lost decade: Urgent action to reverse the devastating impact of COVID-19 on children and…

NEW YORK, 18 November 2021 – Children and young people are nearly 50 per cent more likely than older people to believe that the world is becoming a better place with each generation, according to a new international survey by UNICEF and Gallup released ahead of World Children’s Day. The survey shows that young people are also more likely to…

NEW YORK, 5 October 2021 – Children and young people could feel the impact of COVID-19 on their mental health and well-being for many years to come, UNICEF warned in its flagship report today. According to The State of the World’s Children 2021; On My Mind: promoting, protecting and caring for children’s mental health – UNICEF’s most comprehensive…

People around the world are concerned about the highly-contagious Delta variant of COVID-19. We’ve gathered the latest expert information to answer some of the most common questions about this new variant and will continue to update this article as more information becomes available. For more tips and information on COVID-19, see our  COVID-19…, What is the Delta variant? , The Delta variant of COVID-19 has been called a variant of concern by WHO because of its high transmissibility. Where the Delta variant is identified, it quickly and efficiently spreads between people. As of 10 August, the Delta variant has been reported in 142 countries and is expected to continue spreading.    , Is the Delta variant more contagious? , Yes. The Delta variant is highly contagious, about twice as contagious as previous variants. However, the same precautions, such as avoiding crowded spaces, keeping your distance from others and mask wearing, still work against the Delta variant.    , Are the COVID-19 vaccines effective against the Delta variant?  , Yes. The WHO-approved COVID-19 vaccines continue to be highly effective at preventing severe illness and death, including against the Delta variant. When it’s your turn make sure to get vaccinated. If your vaccination involves two doses, it’s important to receive both in order to have the maximum protection.   The vaccines protect most people from…, Are children more likely to contract the Delta variant? , The Delta variant does not specifically target children. There are increased rates of infection across all age groups. However, the Delta variant is more contagious than other strains and people who are mixing socially and those who are unvaccinated are more susceptible to contracting the Delta variant.  Learn  how to talk to your child about…, How can I protect myself and my family against the Delta variant? , Keep updated on the level of COVID-19 transmission in your community and follow local guidance. In general, the higher the rate of transmission, the higher the risk of potential exposure in public settings. Here are some key ways to protect yourself and your loved ones:  Avoid crowded spaces and keep your distance from others.  Keep all indoor…, What is the Delta Plus variant? , The Delta Plus variant contains a new mutation in the spike protein the virus uses to enter human cells. Because it is closely linked to the Delta variant, it’s been called Delta Plus rather than another letter in the Greek alphabet. So far, Delta Plus has been found in relatively low numbers. 

History, UNICEF is the only UN agency that works in the field for children and has the influence to work globally with all governments to determine future priorities in support of children in the world. UNICEF has been an unstoppable force for change in the lives of children around the world. Since UNICEF was established, in the aftermath of World War II,…, UNICEF in Bulgaria, In Bulgaria UNICEF works since 2006 so that every child, including adolescents, learns and acquires skills for the future, is protected from violence, exploitation, abuse, neglect and harmful practices, has access to inclusive social protection and lives free from poverty.  UNICEF has signed a  Cooperation Programme with the Bulgarian Government  …

NEW YORK, 16 September 2021 – Eighteen months into the COVID-19 pandemic, schools for nearly 77 million students in six countries continue to be almost completely closed, according to an updated data analysis released today by UNICEF. According to the analysis, Bangladesh, the Philippines and Panama are among the countries that kept schools closed…

As we prepare to send our children back to school, we all have questions about how best to protect them from COVID-19. The impact of school closures on a child’s wellbeing is significant. Where possible, it’s important that children have an opportunity to socialize with their peers, to learn and to develop emotionally. Research to-date shows that…, 1. Should I send my child to school this year?, The short answer is, whenever open, yes. School closures have been shown to negatively impact child health and wellbeing, as well as their learning. The risk to children when returning to in-person school – even with new variants – is low when the school, staff and teachers follow COVID-19 recommended precautions and where safety protocols around…, 2. How do I prepare my child for school?, Remind your child about all the fun and exciting things the back-to-school will bring, such as the time with their friends and their teachers, their routine and activities. Talk about the best ways to stay safe against COVID-19, including by keeping their hands clean, practicing physical distancing and covering their mouths and noses if they cough…, 3. What if my child is nervous to go back to school?, Children may be experiencing anxiety with the prospect of returning to school. Keep an eye out for signs of stress and encourage your child to talk openly about their concerns. Reassure them that the school is doing their best to protect everyone from COVID-19 and we all can do our part. Remember to be honest and understanding about their feelings…, 4. What if my child is sick?, If your child is showing any signs of illness, such as a fever, stuffy nose, sore throat, or a cough, it is best not to send them to school. Follow your school policy and seek medical advice if necessary. On the other hand, if your child has had contact with a person infected with COVID-19, make sure to keep him/her at home following local public…, 5. Should I be taking any extra precaution, including when my child is back home from the school?, Schools should be prepared to be a safe place for children and their families. Ask your child or the teacher to keep you informed about activities that may put them in close contact with others. In general, if schools are implementing the recommended safety measures, you should not be concerned about their return to home. However, if you or anyone…, 6. What if my child becomes sick at school?, If your child shows COVID-19 symptoms at school, the teacher or school staff must act quickly. Parents should be contacted immediately to evaluate the actions to be taken according to the guidelines of the local health authorities. Get in contact with your child’s doctor to evaluate the need to perform a COVID-19 test and keep the school informed…, 7. What if my child’s classmate or teacher gets sick at school?, If the school informs you that your child’s classmate or teacher tested positive for COVID-19, monitor your child’s symptoms and follow the self-isolation recommendations from your local health authorities. Seek medical care if your child shows COVID-19 symptoms such as fever, cough, or tiredness. Keep in touch with the school to receive…, 8. Can children with asthma, obesity, diabetes and other health conditions go back to school?, The answer depends on the current condition of the child, the situation of COVID-19 in their community and the safety measures implemented by the school. Make sure the school is implementing safety protocols that include handwashing, distancing and ventilation. Although, in most cases, children are asymptomatic or develop mild symptoms when they…

For professionals, For parents

Sofia, 9 September, 2021. All schools should stay open and safe in-person education by adopting measures to minimize COVID-19 transmission should be a main priority. This is UNICEF’s position on the upcoming new school year in Bulgaria. According to UNICEF, schools should be the last to close and the first to reopen. Today, at the Ministry of…

COPENHAGEN & GENEVA, August 30 – As millions of school children return to school across the European Region where the highly transmissible SARS-CoV-2 Delta variant is dominant , the WHO Regional Office for Europe and UNICEF Europe and Central Asia Regional Office call for schools to stay open and made safer by adopting measures to minimise…