Today, millions of children continue to be caught in humanitarian crises that are growing in complexity and scale. In 2023, conflict across the globe affected more than 460 million children. In conflict and disaster, children suffer first and most and are especially vulnerable to disease, malnutrition, and violence.
UNICEF works to protect and assist children during emergencies, including refugee and migrant children, children caught in conflict and those affected by natural hazards such as earthquakes, floods, and landslides. We are present in over 190 countries and territories before, during, and after emergencies, preparing, responding, and re-building with local communities.
Examples of UNICEF’s humanitarian response include:
State of Palestine: Months of war and surging hostilities has caused devastating physical and mental impacts on children and their families in the State of Palestine, including alarmingly high casualties and displacement. UNICEF and partners are addressing the humanitarian needs of children and their families in a challenging humanitarian and security situation. Since October 21, 2023, at least 820 trucks containing UNICEF supplies have crossed into Gaza and as of May 2024, UNICEF has been able to reach approximately 1.6M children and their families with safe water and hundreds of thousands with medical supplies, nutrition supplements, and protective services.
Haiti: Countrywide demonstrations in Haiti this year have led to significant deterioration in security. Before the current crisis, children in Haiti have experienced decades of inadequate basic services and extremely high inequality. These challenges have been compounded by violence, displacement, malnutrition, and disease outbreaks. UNICEF is helping to protect families, provide life-saving support, and is working with the government and partners to help sustain systems and services. In the first two months of the year, UNICEF and partners have reached 119,000 families with water and hygiene supplies, 40,000 women and children with healthcare, and screened 55,000 children for malnutrition.
Ukraine: UNICEF has been present in Ukraine since 1997 and expanded humanitarian assistance for children and families after the escalation of the war over two years ago. In 2024, UNICEF has reached over 1.6M children and families with critical supplies and services. Inside Ukraine, UNICEF is ensuring children have access to health care, nutrition, education, safe water, mental health support, and more. In refugee hosting countries, UNICEF works with governments and local partners to strengthen national systems that provide refugee children and marginalized children from host communities with quality education, healthcare, and protection services.
Afghanistan: UNICEF has been working to protect and support women and children in Afghanistan for nearly 75 years. In 2023, UNICEF continued scaling up humanitarian services to meet unprecedented needs. Afghanistan remains one of the top five at-risk countries for the effects of climate change and experienced its largest flooding event of the year in May. UNICEF is responding to affected areas with water trucking and essential supplies.
From to Yemen to Myanmar, Democratic Republic of Congo to Syria, UNICEF is relentlessly responding to emergencies in countries around the world. With your support UNICEF can continue this critical work providing children with lifesaving services.
