UNICEF is there before, during, and after emergencies. UNICEF is also there to stay and remains committed to re-building with local communities following an emergency. Delivering long-term change for children can be complicated. Having first begun working in the aftermath of the second World War, UNICEF knows firsthand the importance of being present for children wherever and whenever the need is greatest – for as long as it takes. With more than 75 years of expertise, across 190 countries, UNICEF works to protect children’s rights, help meet their basic needs and expand their opportunities to reach their full potential.
For example:
In the State of Palestine, despite the challenging humanitarian and security situation, UNICEF and partners are on the ground in Gaza and the West Bank delivering immediate humanitarian support, including medical supplies, safe water, emergency child protection services, mental health and psychosocial support, and humanitarian cash transfers. Since October 21, UNICEF has transported over 489 trucks into Gaza with critical emergency supplies. While these deliveries are key, consistent humanitarian access is critical to continue saving lives. UNICEF continues to call for the immediate cessation of hostilities, and for all parties to unconditionally protect children from harm. All parties must uphold the rights of all children, including children captured in the course of operations.
In Afghanistan, UNICEF remains on the ground despite immense challenges, working to support children and families -- including women and girls -- in Health, Nutrition, Child Protection, Education, and Social Protection. In 2024, UNICEF aims to provide 19.4 million people with primary health care services and 3.6 million children and caregivers with life saving protection services, enable 5.5 million people to gain access to safe water, and provide life-saving treatment for severe wasting to 815,000 children in Afghanistan.
In Ukraine, after nearly two years of war with more than 3.7 million people internally displaced (and six million having fled to neighboring countries), UNICEF continues to work with partners to reach Ukrainian children -- those inside the country and those living as refugees in hosting countries -- with critical services. In 2024, UNICEF is focusing 90% of its humanitarian efforts in Ukraine in the east and south, where the war is ongoing. This will include: providing essential supplies through humanitarian convoys; delivering health, nutrition, water sanitation and hygiene (WASH) supplies and services; child protection assistance; provision of education services; humanitarian cash through implementing partners; and capacity building for service providers and partners.
UNICEF knows how to reach children at greatest risk and in greatest need. From Nepal to Somalia, Haiti to Sudan – UNICEF is in countries around the world, providing children with life-saving services. Staff work shoulder to shoulder with partners and communities to strengthen the systems that children rely on – like health care, protection, water and sanitation – and to make those systems more resilient to climate shocks and other crises.
With your support, UNICEF can continue this critical work before, during, and after emergencies. Thank you.
