UNICEF News: Supporting the world’s most vulnerable children
Response to the crisis
UNICEF is a global leader in providing emergency assistance to children affected by conflict, natural disasters and other crises. Our teams are working around the clock to provide essential supplies, such as clean water, food, shelter and medical care. In recent months, UNICEF has responded to numerous crises, including:
- The conflict in Syria, where we are working to provide lifesaving medical care to children trapped in besieged areas.
- Floods in Nigeria, where we are providing essential supplies to affected families, including emergency food rations and medical kits.
- The Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo, where we are working with local partners to distribute masks, gloves and other personal protective equipment.
Vaccination efforts
Vaccination is one of the most powerful tools in the fight against infectious diseases. UNICEF works with partners to provide life-saving vaccines to children in more than 130 countries, protecting them from diseases such as:
- Measles: which can cause blindness, deafness and death if left untreated.
- Polio: eradicated in most parts of the world, but still threatening some areas.
- Diphtheria: a serious, life-threatening infection that can spread quickly in crowds.
In recent months, UNICEF has helped launch measles vaccination campaigns in several countries, including Syria, Yemen and Sudan. We are also working to scale up global efforts to eliminate maternal and neonatal tetanus.
Nutrition and malnutrition
Malnutrition remains one of the world’s most persistent and widespread threats to the health and development of children. UNICEF works with partners to provide lifesaving nutritional treatments and support local efforts to promote healthy eating habits and strengthen health systems.
Our latest data shows that 39% of children under five suffer from long-term stunting or malnutrition, due to poverty, conflict and poor nutrition. To address this crisis, we are intensifying nutrition programs in vulnerable areas and supporting innovations such as:
- Mobile health clinics that provide vaccines and medical care to children in remote areas.
- Community nutrition programs that promote breastfeeding and healthy eating practices.
- Social norms campaigns that challenge harmful practices and promote positive changes in child feeding and care.
Every child learns
Education is an essential tool for empowering children and improving their long-term prospects. UNICEF works with partners to provide educational support to children in more than 100 countries, including:
- Provide learning materials, such as books and pencils, to children who do not have access to school.
- Provide training for teachers and support staff to help them better meet the needs of children.
- Launch educational programs to support children with disabilities, children in emergencies, and girls facing unique barriers to education.
In recent months, we have worked to support educational efforts in the wake of crises, such as:
- Providing shelter and psychosocial support to displaced children and their families in Yemen.
- Launch educational programs in refugee camps in Chad to support young refugees.
- Supporting emergency educational responses following hurricanes in the United States and earthquakes in Haiti.
How you can help
As a global leader in child development, UNICEF relies on the generosity and support of individuals and partners around the world. To make a difference, think about:
- Donate to UNICEF today to help us provide lifesaving aid to children in crisis areas.
- Become a UNICEF Advocate, to amplify your voice and support our global efforts to protect and defend the world’s most vulnerable children.
- Join our team, as a staff member or volunteer, to work alongside dedicated colleagues and partners to achieve better outcomes for children.
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