Humanitarian action and emergencies

The latest wave of COVID-19 is having a devastating impact on children and their families

Humanitarian Action is at the core of UNICEF’s mandate to realize the rights of every child. This edition of  Humanitarian Action for Children  – UNICEF’s annual humanitarian fundraising appeal – describes the impact of hurricanes Eta and Iota; the strategies that we are using to respond to these situations; and the donor support that is essential…, Appeal highlights, An estimated 9.2 million people (including 3.5 million children) have been affected by heavy rainfall, life-threatening flash flooding and landslides caused by Hurricanes Eta and Iota in Belize, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua and Panama. Other areas in Mexico and Colombia have been also impacted. At least 3.4 million…, Key planned targets for 2021, Nutrition icon 35,000 pregnant and breastfeeding women receiving micronutrient supplementation Wash icon 430,000 people accessing a sufficient quantity of safe water for drinking, cooking and personal hygiene Child protection icon 67,000 children and caregivers accessing mental health and psychosocial support Education icon 158,000 children…, Funding requirements for 2021, Country needs and strategy, Humanitarian needs Humanitarian needs, An estimated 9.2 million people (including 3.5 million children) have been affected by heavy rainfall, life-threatening flash flooding and landslides caused by Hurricanes Eta and Iota in Belize, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua and Panama. Other areas in Mexico and Colombia have been also impacted. Over 160,000 people have…, UNICEF's strategy UNICEF’s strategy, UNICEF is prioritising its action in the four most affected countries in Central  America: Nicaragua, Guatemala, Honduras and Belize. UNICEF planned coverage may expand to other countries in the region upon finalization of needs assessments and inter-agency planning documents.  UNICEF response strategy is adapted to the needs in country and…, Programme targets, Find out more about UNICEF's work, December 2020, 2020C redi t: UN ICEF /Nic arag ua/2 020/ Oco n/AF P-Se rvic es HumanitarianAction forChildren Response to Hurricanes Eta and IotaAn estimated 9.2 million people (including 3.5 million children) have been affected by heavyrainfall, life-threatening flash flooding and landslides caused by Hurricanes Eta and Iota inBelize, Costa Rica, El Salvador,…

Humanitarian Action is at the core of UNICEF’s mandate to realize the rights of every child. This edition of  Humanitarian Action for Children  – UNICEF’s annual humanitarian fundraising appeal – describes the ongoing crises affecting children in the Islamic Republic of Iran; the strategies that we are using to respond to these situations; and the…, Appeal highlights, The Islamic Republic of Iran is the country in the Middle East that has been most affected by coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The pandemic has had a dramatic impact on the national economy, which was already strained by the reinforcement of sanctions in 2018. This situation has diminished national capacities to respond to increasing…, Key planned targets for 2021, Child protection icon 2.8 million children / caregivers accessing mental health and psychosocial support Education icon 72,000 children accessing educational services Social inclusion icon 42,000 households reached with cash transfers where UNICEF provided technical assistance Advocacy icon 4.1 million people reached through messaging on access to…, Funding requirements for 2021, Country needs and strategy, Humanitarian needs Humanitarian needs, The Islamic Republic of Iran is ranked among the 10 most disaster-prone countries in the world. Its geography, coupled with infrastructural fragility, growing urbanization and challenging socio-economic conditions, make it particularly vulnerable to natural disasters. Extreme climate conditions are exposing the country to several slow- and rapid-…, UNICEF's strategy UNICEF’s strategy, UNICEF's emergency response strategy in the Islamic Republic of Iran is informed by national humanitarian priorities, the Country Programme 2017–2022 and the Sustainable Development Goals. UNICEF is working with the Government, national humanitarian and development actors, sister United Nations agencies and partners to address the needs of…, Programme targets, Find out more about UNICEF's work, May 2021, 2021 www.unicef.org/appeals HumanitarianAction for Children Islamic Republic of IranHIGHLIGHTS The Islamic Republic of Iran is the country in the Middle East that has been most affected by coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The pandemic has had a dramatic impact on the national economy, which was already strained by the reinforcement of…

Humanitarian Action is at the core of UNICEF’s mandate to realize the rights of every child. This edition of  Humanitarian Action for Children  – UNICEF’s annual humanitarian fundraising appeal – describes the ongoing crises affecting children in Tajikistan; the strategies that we are using to respond to these situations; and the donor support …, Appeal highlights, Tajikistan, one of the most disaster-prone countries in Europe and Central Asia, and the only low-income country in the region, has been severely impacted by the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, which has triggered unprecedented health, humanitarian and socio-economic crises. Some 6.9 million people, including 2.8 million children,…, Key planned targets for 2021, Health icon 550,000 children and women accessing health care Wash icon 643,400 people reached with critical water, sanitation and hygiene supplies and services Education icon 2 million children accessing educational services Social inclusion icon 44,772 households reached with cash transfers where UNICEF provided technical assistance, Funding requirements for 2021, Country needs and strategy, Humanitarian needs Humanitarian needs, Tajikistan is one of the poorest nations in Central Asia. Over 27 per cent of the population lives below the national poverty line. As of 10 September, Tajikistan has confirmed over 8,900 COVID-19 cases and 72 deaths. The situation continues to deteriorate, with an average of 30 to 40 confirmed cases per day. The pandemic has triggered…, UNICEF's strategy UNICEF’s strategy, With its humanitarian mandate and existing presence at the local and central levels, UNICEF has a strong comparative advantage for addressing the COVID-19 needs of children in Tajikistan. UNICEF’s humanitarian action in Tajikistan is guided by the Core Commitments for Children in Humanitarian Action and inter-agency standards. UNICEF strives to…, Programme targets, Find out more about UNICEF's work, December 2020, 2021 https://www.unicef.org/appeals HumanitarianAction for Children TajikistanHIGHLIGHTS Tajikistan, one of the most disaster-prone countries in Europe and Central Asia, and the only low-income country in the region, has been severely impacted by the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, which has triggered unprecedented health,…

Humanitarian Action is at the core of UNICEF’s mandate to realize the rights of every child. This edition of  Humanitarian Action for Children  – UNICEF’s annual humanitarian fundraising appeal – describes the ongoing crises affecting children in Senegal; the strategies that we are using to respond to these situations; and the donor support that…, Appeal highlights, Senegal's humanitarian needs are driven by recurring floods during the rainy season and food insecurity, both of which are exacerbated by the effects of climate change. In 2020, the humanitarian situation was compounded by the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, which is expected to continue to impact the country in 2021. More than 4…, Key planned targets for 2021, Nutrition icon 714,458 children receiving vitamin A supplementation every six months Wash icon 165,000 people accessing a sufficient quantity of safe water Child protection icon 100,000 women and children accessing gender-based violence risk mitigation/ prevention/response Education icon 858,000 children accessing educational services, Funding requirements for 2021, Country needs and strategy, Humanitarian needs Humanitarian needs, Senegal faces seasonal floods and droughts that impact children and their communities. The COVID-19 pandemic is exacerbating this situation and threatening the gains made across child survival indicators related to health, nutrition, water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH), education and protection. An estimated 600,000 people affected by flooding…, UNICEF's strategy UNICEF’s strategy, To address the combined crises of COVID-19 and natural disasters such as floods and droughts, UNICEF will implement an integrated, multi-sectoral and life-saving response for children, adolescents, women and other vulnerable groups, including people with disabilities. The response will be designed to strengthen the linkages between humanitarian…, Programme targets, Find out more about UNICEF's work, December 2020, 2021 https://www.unicef.org/appeals HumanitarianAction for Children SenegalHIGHLIGHTS Senegal's humanitarian needs are driven by recurring floods during the rainy season and food insecurity, both of which are exacerbated by the effects of climate change. In 2020, the humanitarian situation was compounded by the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)…

Humanitarian Action is at the core of UNICEF’s mandate to realize the rights of every child. This edition of  Humanitarian Action for Children  – UNICEF’s annual humanitarian fundraising appeal – describes the ongoing crises affecting children in Brazil; the strategies that we are using to respond to these situations; and the donor support that is…, Appeal highlights, As of September 2020, there have been over 4.3 million cases of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and nearly 132,000 deaths in Brazil. This is the second highest number of cases globally and the highest number of COVID-19 deaths in the region. The pandemic has exacerbated pre-existing disparities and vulnerabilities in Brazil. While the country'…, Key planned targets for 2021, Wash icon 1.3 million children accessing water, sanitation and hygiene services in learning and safe spaces Child protection icon 1.1 million children / caregivers accessing mental health and psychosocial support Education icon 3.5 million children accessing educational services Advocacy icon 130,000 households reached with cash transfers where…, Funding requirements for 2021, Country needs and strategy, Humanitarian needs Humanitarian needs, The COVID-19 pandemic is having a devastating impact on Brazil, in part due to the country's high levels of income inequality. The COVID-19 incidence rate is higher in the North and Northeast regions, where structural, gender and racial inequalities, lack of economic opportunities and poor service delivery are compounding its impacts on children…, UNICEF's strategy UNICEF’s strategy, UNICEF will support the implementation of federal and state humanitarian measures at the municipal and community levels in vulnerable areas of Brazil. In line with the Grand Bargain commitments, the Core Commitments for Children in Humanitarian Action and key guidance on COVID-19, this work will take a two-pronged approach: (1) containing…, Programme targets, Find out more about UNICEF's work, December 2020, 2021 https://www.unicef.org/appeals HumanitarianAction for Children BrazilHIGHLIGHTS As of September 2020, there have been over 4.3 million cases of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and nearly 132,000 deaths in Brazil.1 This is the second highest number of cases globally and the highest number of COVID-19 deaths in the region. The pandemic has…

Humanitarian Action is at the core of UNICEF’s mandate to realize the rights of every child. This edition of  Humanitarian Action for Children  – UNICEF’s annual humanitarian fundraising appeal – describes the ongoing crises affecting children in Kyrgyzstan; the strategies that we are using to respond to these situations; and the donor support …, Appeal highlights, The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has had a profound impact on the well-being of children in Kyrgyzstan. With disruptions to education, water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH), nutrition and health – including vaccination – services, and the rise in violence, poverty and stress, children are bearing the brunt of the crisis. As the…, Key planned targets for 2021, Health icon 500,000 children and women accessing health care Child protection icon 250,000 children / caregivers accessing mental health and psychosocial support Education icon 1.6 million children accessing educational services Advocacy icon 10,000 households reached with cash transfers across sectors, Funding requirements for 2021, Country needs and strategy, Humanitarian needs Humanitarian needs, Following reports of the first COVID-19 cases in Kyrgyzstan in March 2020, the Government declared a national emergency. After the state of emergency was lifted in May, Kyrgyzstan sawa dramatic surge in new cases in June, which peaked at nearly 1,300 daily cases in July – one of the highest per capita ratios globally. This situation has stretched…, UNICEF's strategy UNICEF’s strategy, In line with the Core Commitments for Children in Humanitarian Action and the United Nations Socio-Economic Response Framework, UNICEF is working with the Government of Kyrgyzstan, the United Nations Country Team and civil society organizations to deliver a comprehensive response that leaves no child behind, and builds back better. UNICEF will…, Programme targets, Find out more about UNICEF's work, December 2020, 2021 https://www.unicef.org/appeals HumanitarianAction for Children KyrgyzstanHIGHLIGHTS The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has had a profound impact on the well-being of children in Kyrgyzstan.1 With disruptions to education, water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH), nutrition and health including vaccination services, and the rise in…

Humanitarian Action is at the core of UNICEF’s mandate to realize the rights of every child. This edition of  Humanitarian Action for Children  – UNICEF’s annual humanitarian fundraising appeal – describes the ongoing crises affecting children in Sierra Leone; the strategies that we are using to respond to these situations; and the donor support …, Appeal highlights, The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has significantly impacted health, security and overall economic development in Sierra Leone. Coupled with weak preparedness for future disasters, the country faces a perilous future with children at significant risk for nutritional deprivations, including severe acute malnutrition (SAM), and women…, Key planned targets for 2021, Nutrition icon 1.5 million children receiving vitamin A supplementation every six months Wash icon 100,000 people accessing a sufficient quantity of safe water Child protection icon 1.8 million people accessing safe channels for reporting sexual exploitation and abuse Advocacy icon 65,000 households benefiting from new / additional social transfers, Funding requirements for 2021, Country needs and strategy, Humanitarian needs Humanitarian needs, COVID-19 continues to threaten the safety and well-being of people in Sierra Leone, with young people bearing the brunt of the social, economic and development breakdown. While the Government of Sierra Leone has actively prepared for and responded to the crisis, the pandemic remains a serious threat due to the weak public systems, struggling…, UNICEF's strategy UNICEF’s strategy, In 2021, UNICEF and the Government of Sierra Leone will apply on lessons learned from the Ebola response and continue to build resilience and strengthen systems to provide services critical to saving lives and preventing morbidity due to COVID-19 and other preventable and treatable diseases, such as cholera and Lassa fever. UNICEF and the…, Programme targets, Find out more about UNICEF's work, December 2020, 2021 https://www.unicef.org/appeals HumanitarianAction for Children Sierra LeoneHIGHLIGHTS The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has significantly impacted health, security and overall economic development in Sierra Leone. Coupled with weak preparedness for future disasters, the country faces a perilous future with children at…

Humanitarian Action is at the core of UNICEF’s mandate to realize the rights of every child. This edition of  Humanitarian Action for Children  – UNICEF’s annual humanitarian fundraising appeal – describes the ongoing crises affecting children in Ghana; the strategies that we are using to respond to these situations; and the donor support that is…, Appeal highlights, Ghana has confirmed the second highest number of COVID-19 cases in the West and Central Africa region, after Nigeria, and the fifth highest number of cases in the World Health Organization (WHO) Africa region. As the strain of the pandemic adds to existing risks, such as disease outbreaks, floods, earthquakes and spillover of armed violence from…, Key planned targets for 2021, Nutrition icon 16,424 children admitted for treatment for severe acute malnutrition Child protection icon 120,000 women and children accessing gender-based violence risk mitigation/ prevention/response Education icon 1.4 million children accessing educational services Social inclusion icon 256,500 households reached with cash transfers where…, Funding requirements for 2021, Country needs and strategy, Humanitarian needs Humanitarian needs, Ghana has confirmed the second highest number of COVID-19 cases in the West and Central Africa region, after Nigeria, and the fifth highest number of cases in the WHO Africa region. The Greater Accra and Ashanti regions have been most severely affected. The suspension of learning in more than 42,000 schools across the country due to the pandemic…, UNICEF's strategy UNICEF’s strategy, UNICEF and partners will support the Government's response to the COVID-19 pandemic, protect children and families from exposure to the virus, minimize mortality and ensure service continuity. These interventions will align with key global and national frameworks designed to identify gaps and target the most vulnerable groups, especially in high-…, Programme targets, Find out more about UNICEF's work, December 2020, 2021 https://www.unicef.org/appeals HumanitarianAction for Children GhanaHIGHLIGHTS Ghana has confirmed the second highest number of COVID-19 cases in the West and Central Africa region, after Nigeria, and the fifth highest number of cases in the World Health Organization (WHO) Africa region.1 As the strain of the pandemic adds to existing risks,…

Ambitious agenda to address the major challenges facing children living through conflict and crisis

Humanitarian Action is at the core of UNICEF’s mandate to realize the rights of every child. This edition of  Humanitarian Action for Children  – UNICEF’s annual humanitarian fundraising appeal – describes the ongoing crises affecting children in Rwanda; the strategies that we are using to respond to these situations; and the donor support that is…, Appeal highlights, Rwanda first confirmed cases of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in March 2020. Although the number of cases has been low, health system resources are being redirected to respond and an increasing number of children are affected by the socio-economic impacts of the pandemic, including disruptions to schooling and heightened protection risks.…, Key planned results for 2021, Wash icon 200,000 children accessing water, sanitation and hygiene services in learning and safe spaces Child protection icon 500,000 women and children accessing gender-based violence risk mitigation / prevention / response Education icon 30,000 children accessing educational services Advocacy icon 2 million people reached through messaging on…, Funding requirements for 2021, Country needs and strategy, Humanitarian needs Humanitarian needs, While the humanitarian crisis in Rwanda is small in scale and magnitude, it remains complex. The country is affected by three overlapping emergencies: (1) the risk that the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo will spillover into Rwanda; (2) the COVID-19 pandemic; and (3) the 147,000 refugees in Rwanda who require urgent…, UNICEF's strategy UNICEF’s strategy, In Rwanda, UNICEF is supporting the Ministry of Health to prepare for and respond to health epidemics and the refugee situation. As part of the health response, UNICEF will work through community networks and local non-governmental organization partners, including religious leaders, to maintain essential community-based Ebola prevention activities…, Programme targets, Find out more about UNICEF's work, December 2020, 2021 https://www.unicef.org/appeals/rwanda HumanitarianAction for Children RwandaHIGHLIGHTS Rwanda first confirmed cases of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in March 2020. Although the number of cases has been low, health system resources are being redirected to respond and an increasing number of children are affected by the socio-economic…

Humanitarian Action is at the core of UNICEF’s mandate to realize the rights of every child. This edition of  Humanitarian Action for Children  – UNICEF’s annual humanitarian fundraising appeal – describes the ongoing crises affecting children in Lesotho; the strategies that we are using to respond to these situations; and the donor support that…, Appeal highlights, Climatic shocks, declining economic growth and the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic have worsened the humanitarian situation in Lesotho. In 2021, projections indicate that Lesotho’s gross domestic product growth will decelerate to negative 5.1 per cent; crop production will drop by 30 per cent; water insecurity will persist; access to…, Key planned results for 2021, Health icon 262,000 children and women accessing health care Wash icon 321,000 children accessing water, sanitation and hygiene services in learning and safe spaces Child protection icon 75,000 women and children accessing gender-based violence risk mitigation / prevention / response Advocacy icon 383,000 people reached through messaging on access…, Funding requirements for 2021, Country needs and strategy, Humanitarian needs Humanitarian needs, The humanitarian situation in Lesotho has deteriorated due to a series of climatic shocks, including three consecutive seasons of drought, declining economic growth and the COVID-19 pandemic. As of September, Lesotho had confirmed over 1,300 COVID-19 cases and 33 deaths. Economic growth has continued to decline in Lesotho in recent years. The…, UNICEF's strategy UNICEF’s strategy, UNICEF will support the Government of Lesotho to respond to the humanitarian needs of 383,000 people, including 321,000 children, affected by drought and COVID-19 through the implementation of life-saving nutrition, health, WASH, social and child protection, education and HIV and AIDS interventions. The remaining people in need will be reached by…, Programme targets, Find out more about UNICEF's work, December 2020, 2021 https://www.unicef.org/appeals/lesotho HumanitarianAction for Children LesothoHIGHLIGHTS Climatic shocks, declining economic growth and the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic have worsened the humanitarian situation in Lesotho. In 2021, projections indicate that Lesothos gross domestic product growth will decelerate to negative 5.1…