190 million children in 10 African countries are at the highest risk from a convergence of three water-related threats – inadequate water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH); related diseases; and climate hazards – according to a new UNICEF analysis. Many of the worst-affected countries, particularly in the Sahel, are also facing instability and armed conflict, further aggravating children’s access to clean water and sanitation. Across the 10 hotspots, nearly one-third of children do not have access to at least basic water at home, and two-thirds do not have basic sanitation services.

Heavily pregnant, Rehima was struggling with extreme fatigue, blurry vision, and dizziness. One day while cooking she fainted, breaking her fall on a pan. She could no longer stand-up and was so weak and in so much pain, she felt she couldn’t go on. In the absence of a diverse diet, pregnant women such as Rehima are suffering from nutritional deficiencies. Through the Federal Ministry of Health and UNICEF, Multiple Micronutrient Supplements (MMS) which contains 15 vitamins and minerals  are supplied and are clinically proven to help boost the health of pregnant woman, breastfeeding mothers, and their babies.

The number of children without access to social protection is increasing year-on-year, leaving them at risk of poverty, hunger and discrimination, according to a new report by the ILO and UNICEF.

The Leading Minds Conference by UNICEF brings together some of the world’s leading thinkers — scholars, scientists, innovators, influencers, philanthropists, governments and of course young people — to understand the challenges that children and young people face globally.

One year into the Ukraine war, an estimated 1.5 million children are at risk of depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder and other mental conditions. Not many are lucky as Kateryna who left Kyiv with her children at the beginning of the war. Once again, children are paying the price of a war not of their own making. UNICEF has been working with national and local authorities, as well as civil society organizations in Ukraine and neighboring countries to deliver emergency assistance, access to education, health and mental health support, and life-saving information to children and their families.

Children worldwide are being denied their basic human right to an education. UNICEF-financed Education Cannot Wait brings us the stories of perseverance and hope emerging on the frontlines.

Children from the poorest households benefit the least from national public education funding, UNICEF said in a new report, while calling for additional, more equitable investment to lift millions out of a learning crisis. The report, Transforming Education with Equitable Financing, notes that on average, the poorest quintile of learners benefits from 16% of public funding for education, compared to the richest, who benefit from 28%. Among low-income countries, 11% goes to the poorest learners, while 42% goes to the richest.

A 1% point increase in the allocation of public education resources to the poorest 20% may pull 35 million primary school-aged children out of learning poverty globally, according to the report, which sets out four key recommendations.

Today, there are more children in need of humanitarian assistance than at any other time since the Second World War. Across the globe, children and their families are facing a deadly mix of crises, from conflict and displacement to disease outbreaks and soaring rates of malnutrition. But with UNICEF on the ground, it’s far from hopeless. They know how to reach these children at greatest risk and in greatest need by distributing winter clothing, providing safe spaces for displaced families and delivering treatments like Ready-To-Use Therapeutic Food (RUTF).

Human rights are standards that recognize and protect the dignity of all human beings. Human rights govern how individual human beings live in society, as well as their relationship with the State and the obligations that the State have towards them. Human rights law obliges governments to do some things and prevents them from doing others. Individuals also have responsibilities: in using their human rights, they must respect the rights of others. By integrating human rights in development cooperation, UNICEF ensures inclusive processes where those most vulnerable are not forgotten.

Smiling is contagious and these happy children from around the world are sure to put a smile on your face! UNICEF procures and distributes vaccines and other essential supplies, including solar-powered refrigerators, and helps train health workers to prevent future outbreaks of diseases. Babies are also screened for malnourishment and mothers taught about nutrition at their funded health centres. In addition, UNICEF has established more than 200 temporary learning centres, to look after the protection and psychosocial well-being of children caught up in the climate change-related crisis.

As winter approaches, millions of Ukrainians remain displaced from their homes. Now, as the biting winds and sub-zero temperatures of winter take hold, Ukraine’s children confront new threats to their well-being. They are in desperate need of protection and shelter. UNICEF is working with partners providing much-needed winter items, such as clothing, boots and blankets. UNICEF is also extending child-care services and life-saving cash transfers to particularly vulnerable families, while supporting schools and hospitals with generators and heating.

New UNICEF report shows the extent to which racism and discrimination impact children’s education, health, and access to a fair and equal justice system.

From climate change, education and mental health, to ending racism and discrimination, children and young people are raising their voices on the issues that matter to their generation and calling for adults to create a better future. This World Children’s Day (20 November), kids are standing up for a more equal, inclusive world. What will you do? Join us on World Children’s Day!

UNICEF asked young climate advocates how climate change has impacted their lives. Watch the video to find out what they answered, and their message for world leaders at COP27. Faced with a growing energy crisis, record greenhouse gas concentrations, and increasing extreme weather events, COP27 seeks renewed solidarity between countries to deliver on the landmark Paris Agreement for people and the planet.

After millennia of living with poliovirus and the suffering the paralysis it causes, today nearly everyone lives in a polio-free country. However, cases of polio have been recently reemerging worldwide, including in Malawi. There are several factors behind those outbreaks, including conflict and displacement, disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, and vaccine hesitancy. With support from UNICEF, a nationwide immunization campaign was launched in Malawi in March 2022 and its impact has been profound.  Since the vaccination drive began, about 9 million children in Malawi have received a polio vaccination. Find out more about the campaign here.