Global

Think of a person. Not someone you know. Someone you’ve never met. Picture them on the other side of the world, somewhere you’ve never been.  You share one of humanity’s greatest achievements: immunization. Because like you, they’ve had their childhood vaccines.  In the last 50 years alone, vaccines have saved 154 million lives. That’s 6 people…, UNICEF’s call to action, Vaccines are one of the most effective and cost-efficient public health interventions that exist. But they can’t save lives unless we invest in them. It’s time for governments to re-commit to vaccines. We call on donor countries to financially invest in vaccines. 2024 is a crucial fundraising year if we want to maintain the progress that has been…, Impact and stories, About the campaign, Un jeune garçon sourit en montrant le haut de son bras pour indiquer qu'il est vacciné. Des lignes et des cercles roses colorés sont illustrés en arrière-plan. Humanly Possible is a joint campaign of UNICEF, WHO, Gavi the Vaccine Alliance, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and many other partners and advocates. We’re beginning this global…

The climate crisis is not just changing the planet, it is changing children. It is affecting children everywhere – their lives, their communities and their health. Children's bodies and minds are uniquely vulnerable to pollution, deadly diseases and extreme weather, and they are disproportionately affected by the impacts of disasters,…, UNICEF at COP28, The COP28 Climate Conference is a critical point in the fight against the climate crisis, and the fight for children’s rights and wellbeing. World leaders and the international community must ensure child rights are prominent within the key outcomes of COP28, so that the needs of children are respected, promoted and considered in all aspects of…, COP28: Outcomes and highlights, Closing statement by UNICEF Deputy Executive Director Kitty van der Heijden Launch of Green Rising: Pathways for youth action by 2025 UNICEF's commitments to Relief, Recovery and Peace Joint statement by Group of Friends of Children and the SDG Powered by Curator.io Follow  @ UNICEF  for the latest updates. Learn about  UNICEF's on the ground…, UNICEF x Youth x Climate, Working together on the decisions that matter most Young people have the right to be heard on climate change. UNICEF builds communities for youth activists and connects young people to global opportunities in over 190 countries. How much do young people know about climate change? UNICEF and Gallup surveyed youth aged 15+ years in 55 countries. We…, More voices of youth, Water and climate change, Climate change is felt through water – whether too much, too little or too polluted Every region of the world, including high-income countries, faces challenges related to water scarcity or lack of access to clean water. With climate change, the problem is projected to get much worse over the coming decades., UNICEF calls for urgent climate action, We are bearing witness to the ways in which children's health and communities are already being altered in a climate-changed world. Children need to be at the centre of the global response. UNICEF calls on Parties to: Protect the lives, health and well-being of children and the resilience of their communities by adapting essential social services…, Roadmap resources, Children need urgent action on climate change UNICEF's strategy at a glance Sustainability and climate change action plan Child-sensitive climate policies for every child

World Children’s Day is UNICEF’s annual day of action for children, by children, marking the adoption of the Convention on the Rights of the Child. Children’s rights are human rights. But in too many places today, children’s rights are under attack. On World Children’s Day we make space for children and young people to raise their voices on the…, #ForEveryChild, Every Right!, For every child, peace animation For every child, peace Every child, everywhere, has a right to live in a peaceful world. For every child, a livable planet animation For every child, a livable planet  Children have a right to a safe and livable planet. For every child, a voice animation For every child, a voice  Children must be listened to and…, #WorldChildrensDay around the world, Children work on a hand-painted canvas during an event marking World Children’s Day in the Rohingya refugee camps in Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh. UNICEF/UNI478111/Sujan In 2023, World Children's Day was an opportunity to recognize children as rights holders, to acknowledge the progress that has been made for and with children, and to demand action to…, Learn more about child rights, Hear from UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell, “ Children live in a world that is increasingly hostile to their rights .” Read the child-friendly version of the Convention on the Rights of the Child . Explore resources for parents and teachers on child rights. Watch “We All Have Rights” a video explaining child rights to children aged 3 to…

The challenge, In June 2022, UNICEF warned that almost 8 million children under 5 across 15 crisis-hit countries were at risk of death from severe wasting unless they received immediate therapeutic food and care. Severe wasting is the most lethal form of undernutrition, and one of the top threats to child survival. With soaring food prices driven by the war in…, The solution, The world responded. With $766 million in new funding, UNICEF delivered the largest nutrition response on record.  Globally, UNICEF and partners reached 7.3 million children with life-saving treatment in 2022, a 35 per cent increase from 2021 and the highest number of children treated for severe wasting since large-scale treatment began in 2007.…, Historic response, much more to do, Despite the historic response in 2022, most of the essential services to protect mothers and children from the threat of acute malnutrition remain under-funded. The overlapping global food, nutrition and climate crises along with economic pressures persist. In addition to the funding needed to continue programmes for the early detection and…, What UNICEF is calling for, Niger. A mother feeds her baby a nutritious supplement at an intensive nutritional recovery centre in Niger. A mother feeds her baby a nutritious supplement at an intensive nutritional recovery centre in Niger. Donors to deliver on their pledges and mobilize the $400 million necessary to extend much-needed prevention services to the worst-affected…

Millions of children globally missed out on routine vaccines during the COVID-19 pandemic. As a result, previously controlled diseases like measles and polio have re-emerged.  Now’s the time to catch these children up on their missed vaccines, and #BuildBackImmunity to protect them, their families and their communities.  , The problem, During the COVID-19 pandemic, we witnessed the largest sustained decline in rates of childhood vaccinations in a generation.  Nearly 67 million children missed out on the routine vaccines that keep them safe from deadly disease during the COVID-19 pandemic.  This backsliding happened because routine immunization programmes were unable to reach as…, The solution, There is a solution. Large scale catch-up vaccination campaigns are an immediate solution to protect the children that missed out on their doses in the past few years.  This is an important first step in helping communities and their health systems recover from the shock of the pandemic. Vaccines protect families and communities – all of us – from…, The campaign, We’re beginning this global advocacy campaign on immunization with the launch of UNICEF’s flagship report: “State of the World’s Children – for every child, vaccination”.   The launch of the report will be followed with a series of sustained and coordinated global, regional, and national initiatives, calling on governments to prioritize catch-up…

The world is at a tipping point. By 2030, half of the global population is expected to be living in water-stressed conditions. Competition for water resources will only intensify with increasing urbanization, population growth and the threat of climate change. As a result, we can expect more conflict, displacement and public health emergencies. No…, Take #WaterAction, Know the facts Governments and partners Donors and supporters UNICEF at UN 2023 Water Conference, Know the facts, Water insecurity threatens the well-being of children and their very survival. Click through for the facts:, Health and nutrition, Every day, over 1,000 children under five die from diseases linked to unsafe water, sanitation and hygiene, including diarrhoea and acute respiratory infections. When children get sick with diarrhoeal diseases, they are unable to absorb the nutrients they need to grow, exacerbating malnutrition. Over time this can lead to stunting and may…, Education, When schools do not have adequate water, children are ill-equipped for learning, studying and practicing safe hygiene like handwashing. Students are also more likely to fall ill. They may even be forced to miss school entirely to collect water for their families. And without access to separate hygiene and sanitation facilities, girls may skip…, Safety, Carrying heavy loads of water places a great physical burden on children, and places them in harm’s way when they are forced to walk long distances to water sources. This is especially true for girls, as the task of collecting water most often falls on them., Displacement, Without safe water and sanitation, tensions escalate and give rise to conflict and displacement. In areas of protracted crises, children are 20 times more likely to die from diarrhoeal disease linked to unsafe water and sanitation than from violence. >>See:  Children are facing deadly drought in the Horn of Africa > Back to menu, How governments can take #WaterAction, The only way to ensure all children have access to safe, sustainable water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) is by strengthening all components of WASH services and by making them resilient to the growing impacts of climate change. Governments play a central role in urgently adapting and scaling up WASH services. The solutions to water insecurity are…, #WaterAction: Donors and supporters, UNICEF aims to urgently mobilize an additional $330m from public and private partners to accelerate sector reforms in 65 priority countries and to reach at least 6 million people living in areas facing severe water insecurity.  The private sector must come together to solve the water challenges alongside governments, NGOs and affected communities…, United Nations Water Conference 2023, UNICEF was there representing every child > Back to top

There's no greater legacy than a thriving world., What better way to leave your mark than a partnership that accelerates progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals and builds a more resilient world. When you join with UNICEF, you’re investing in children’s lives, their safety and their development. Investing in children delivers compound interest for the future, because the positive…, Today, partners that join with UNICEF are changing the world, Un niño en un computador Microsoft, Microsoft and UNICEF are working together to expand access to education, giving vulnerable children the support they need to reach their full potential., A masked UNICEF nutrition specialist carrying a malnourished baby in the nutrition rehabilitation center of Dar Naim in Nouakchott. Kimberly-Clark, Kimberly-Clark and UNICEF are improving health, menstrual health, sanitation and early childhood development in several countries, to build a more equitable world for every child., Sebabatso, 18, and and Bianca, 19, hone presentation preparation skills they learned during an internship at Roche Pty Ltd, South Africa SAP SE, UNICEF and SAP have given more than 3 million adolescents new digital skills, to prepare them for better and more meaningful work opportunities., On 29 October 2019, children use their tablet and work with each other at the UNICEF-supported Debate e-Learning Centre in a village on the outskirts of Kassala, the capital of the state of Kassala in Eastern Sudan. Ericsson, Through UNICEF-ITU’s Giga initiative, UNICEF and Ericsson have helped connect over 2 million students across four continents to the internet, for a more digital future., Seema Bishokarma, 15, and her friends walk to school. Pandora, UNICEF and Pandora have helped more than 1.2 million children around the world in leading healthier and safer lives and to fulfil their potential., On October 5th, 2021, David Emanuel Setma Urzia (4 years old) hugs his sister Ana Elizabeth Setma Urzia (1 year old) in the garden of their home in Guatemala City. UNICEF International Council, The UNICEF International Council, a group of philanthropists and partners, have collectively invested over $425 million in UNICEF in order to achieve the SDGs for children., Testimonials, How our partnerships are transforming children's lives A girl stands in the kitchen at her family home. Her family received child-focused social protection and cash assistance for families with children that were affected by the May 2021 escalation in the Gaza Strip. Microsoft “We have been able to focus on the outcome of expanding skilling and…, What will you and UNICEF do together?, If we’re meeting here, it’s likely you share with us a strong desire to have a positive impact on the world. Our experience tells us that we can’t do this alone, and that our combined expertise, as global players, is more valuable than the sum of its parts. That’s why we want to invite you to partner with us. Together, we’ll build an incredible…

A-big-thank-you Protecting the next generation through vaccines is a mission we’ve shared across continents and centuries. It's a mission that’s paid off. Vaccines have saved more lives than any other invention in human history. That’s a remarkable achievement and there are a lot of people who have made that possible. They deserve our gratitude.…, Agatha Nyakayisiki smiles as her mother Josephine Kansiime carries her ahead of receiving a routine immunization. Read this love letter to someone you've never met., His name was James Phipps, and in 1796 when he was just 8 years old, Edward Jenner gave him the first modern vaccine. This vaccine defended him against smallpox. It was inspired by centuries of innovation by the physicians of North Africa, the grandmothers of Constantinople and the doctors of Ming Dynasty China, all seeking ways to protect the…, Our thanks and our gratitude , going-above-and-beyond, Going above and beyond, There are so many people that have gone above and beyond to protect children with vaccines. Of course, all the scientists who have invented lifesaving vaccines down the years. Then there are the volunteers in vaccine trials and the workers who pack vials at factories. Now, imagine all the boat crews, the pilots, the drivers and the healthcare…, Strong health systems, We also pay tribute to every government that takes health care seriously. Because right now, it’s never been clearer. The only way out of an epidemic – or a pandemic – is equitable healthcare and stronger health systems for all. Find out more about what a How the COVID-19 pandemic is proving it’s crucial to improve health systems strong health…, A crucial moment, We say thanks at a pivotal point in time. In the past two decades, more than 1.1 billion children have been immunized. Every year, vaccines save the lives of up to 3 million children. But during the COVID-19 pandemic, for the first time in 30 years, the routine immunization of children has slipped. As we invest to recover from the pandemic, we…, One more important person to thank, You. That’s right. If you’ve ever been vaccinated, you’re part of the arm-to-arm chain that keeps every one of us safe. You are the living proof of what humanity can do. Thank you so much.

Nearly two-thirds of 10-year-olds are estimated to be unable to read and understand a simple text. Without urgent action, this global learning crisis will become a generational catastrophe. Education systems are failing our children.     Education systems were already failing our children even before the pandemic. COVID-19  exacerbated this…, Get involved, Learn what needs to happen For partners and policymakers For young people UNICEF in action, What needs to happen, UNICEF is calling on governments to:, Reach every child and keep them in school  Assess learning levels regularly Prioritize teaching the fundamentals  Increase catch-up learning and progress beyond what was lost Develop psychosocial health and well-being so every child is ready to learn. Governments and education stakeholders around the world are urged to endorse the  Commitment to…, For partners and policymakers, We need urgent action from governments and other partners to invest in education. Without ambitious action on basic reading and maths, with a focus on the most marginalized children, we will fail to achieve the SDGs by 2030.  NEW REPORT: Less than half of all countries surveyed have a specific focus on foundational literacy and numeracy in their…, For young people, Did you know that education is a human right? But too many children around the world still don’t go to school. And an even larger number of kids who are in schools, aren’t getting the quality education they deserve. Express your views and support for the issues that matter to you on Voices of Youth – UNICEF's digital community for youth, by youth., For parents, Is your child getting ready for preschool or is anxious about going back to school? Find tips on how to support them, as well as many other parenting resources on UNICEF’s Parenting Hub . , For teachers, Children depend on their teachers to help them catch-up on lost learning in a safe and supportive environment. UNICEF stands with teachers everywhere in calling for more investment, training and support for their work. Meet Lessly, an incredible teacher from Zambia, who's on a mission to help her students catch up on their learning., UNICEF in action, Learn more

In every part of the world, poor mental health causes suffering for children and young people. It is a top cause of death, disease and disability, especially for older adolescents. Half of all mental health conditions start by 14 years of age, but most cases go undetected and untreated. Every child has the right to grow up in loving, nurturing and…, Get involved, Learn what needs to happen Take a quiz on mental health For parents For young people For policymakers and partners, What needs to happen, Positive mental health means better life outcomes for children. To achieve this, UNICEF is calling for investment and action to support and protect all children and young people, and a focus on ending neglect, abuse and childhood traumas. Investment for all: Greater and better investment in mental health and psychosocial support services for all…, Take the mental health quiz, For parents: Start the conversation, Far too many children deal with mental health challenges on their own. As parents, we can change that by providing nurturing, loving environments for our children and teenagers, and asking the simple questions – how are you doing, what’s on our mind? Here are tips and resources to do just that whatever age your child might be: More resources for…, For young people: Share, talk and help each other, Young people around the world are breaking the silence around mental health conditions by speaking out. Learn about the issue and talk about it in a way that prevents misinformation and encourages people to ask for help when they need it. Talk about how you are feeling and reach out and connect with others if you need support or are concerned for…, For policymakers, researchers and partners, Globally about two per cent of government health budgets are allocated to mental health spending. In some countries it’s less than US$1 per person. These figures fall far short of treating mental health conditions, especially for those facing the greatest challenges, and promoting positive mental health for all. We pay a high economic price for…, Impact and stories

The climate crisis is here and getting worse each year. The world continues to get warmer at an alarming rate, putting almost every child at risk of more frequent and destructive climate hazards – air pollution, cyclones, disease, flooding, heatwaves and water scarcity. As these hazards continue to intensify, more children will be harmed; more…, Get involved, Learn what needs to happen For young people For policymakers and partners Take the climate quiz, What needs to happen, Rapid emissions reduction remains the only long term solution, however, because some impacts of climate change are now unavoidable and irreversible, we must immediately save and protect children’s lives by building the resilience of every child and young person to the impacts of this crisis. UNICEF is calling on Parties to: Protect the lives,…, For youth: Get inspired, share and act, To address the climate crisis, everyone needs to understand why it is happening and what can be done to defend against its impacts. Use these resources to introduce yourself to climate change and invite your friends, family and school to join in. , Join the community, Express your views and support for the issues that matter to you on U-Report – UNICEF's digital community for youth, by youth., UNICEF at COP28, UNICEF was on the ground supporting more than 100 child and youth climate activists at the United Nations Climate Conference At COP28 UNICEF called on leaders to: Elevate children within the final COP28 Cover Decision and convening an expert dialogue on children and climate change. Embed children and intergeneration equity in the Global Stocktake…, For policymakers, researchers and partners, Did you know that the world has already warmed by approximately 1.1C since the 19 th century? The years 2015–2021 were the warmest on record. The world’s children are now more than ever vulnerable to the negative impacts of climate hazards. With 4.2 billion children expected to be born over the next 30 years, there is an urgent need for action . …, Climate action around the world, UNICEF works tirelessly to protect children from the effects of climate change. We work at all levels including with governments to highlight and address the impact of climate change on children., Test your climate change knowledge, Learn more

17/09/21 We are facing an education crisis. For nearly 77 million children, the pandemic has taken away their classrooms for the past 18 months. Schoolchildren worldwide have lost 1.8 trillion hours and counting of in-person learning due to COVID-19 lockdowns. The right to go to school and learn is central to every child’s development, safety and…, No Time to Lose installation at the United Nations, Why schools should reopen as soon as possible, “Children should return to in-person learning as soon as possible” The cost of school closures on students’ learning, health and well-being has been devastating.  The repercussions for every child, their family, their community and their economy will be felt for years to come. Many children will never catch up. School closures impact every child,…, Supported by:, The African Council of Religious Leaders Africa Region of the World Organization of the Scout Movement Educate a Child Education Above All Foundation The Education Commission EEAS-European External Action Service European Commission – Directorate-General for European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations European Parliament intergroup…, #ReopenSchools, “I miss them [teachers and classmates] a lot.” Brithany, 11, Ecuador "[E]very second is important to be able to study," Alisha, 15, Pakistan “All kids around the world should go to school in person.” Favour, 12, South Africa “It’s better to go to school because it’s the gateway to the future.” Darina, 16, Spain