01 September 2023

World Children’s Day

World Children’s Day is UNICEF’s annual day of action for children, by children, marking the adoption of the Convention on the Rights of the Child. Children’s rights are human rights. But in too many places today, children’s rights are under attack. On World Children’s Day we make space for children and young people to raise their voices on the…, #ForEveryChild, Every Right!, For every child, peace animation For every child, peace Every child, everywhere, has a right to live in a peaceful world. For every child, a livable planet animation For every child, a livable planet  Children have a right to a safe and livable planet. For every child, a voice animation For every child, a voice  Children must be listened to and…, #WorldChildrensDay around the world, Children work on a hand-painted canvas during an event marking World Children’s Day in the Rohingya refugee camps in Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh. UNICEF/UNI478111/Sujan In 2023, World Children's Day was an opportunity to recognize children as rights holders, to acknowledge the progress that has been made for and with children, and to demand action to…, Learn more about child rights, Hear from UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell, “ Children live in a world that is increasingly hostile to their rights .” Read the child-friendly version of the Convention on the Rights of the Child . Explore resources for parents and teachers on child rights. Watch “We All Have Rights” a video explaining child rights to children aged 3 to…
06 June 2022

Global Annual Results Report 2021: Humanitarian action

Around 235 million people globally required humanitarian assistance in 2021. For children, this alarming reality meant being malnourished, missing school, lacking clean water to drink or adequate facilities for hygiene and living at risk of violence. The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic caused some of these harms and exacerbated…, UNICEF responded in 153 countries to 483 new or ongoing humanitarian crises. Altogether, UNICEF responded to 104 natural disasters, 84 socio-political crises, 226 health emergencies (including the COVID-19 pandemic response), 27 nutrition crises and 42 other critical situations., two-young-children-looking-AR-technology Key results from humanitarian responses, Ethiopia: More than 521,800 children under 5 years with severe acute malnutrition were admitted to treatment Yemen: More than 5.8 million conflict-affected people accessed explosive weapons-related and mine-risk risk education and survivor assistance interventions Central Sahel: 554 children were released from armed forces and groups and…, With thanks, This report highlights the achievements made possible by the generous contributions received from various partners. UNICEF would like to express its sincere appreciation for these contributions. In addition, UNICEF is grateful to all resource partners that contributed to global humanitarian thematic funding in 2021 and for their commitment to…, Read more and support our work, June 2022, Global Annual Results Report 2021 Humanitarian action Cover image: UNICEF/UN0551315/Hayyan Two girls celebrate World Childrens Day in November 2021 at Al Shaab School in Aden Governorate, Yemen. Expression of thanks: UNICEF/UN0588735/Coutinho A young girl enjoys a back-to-school moment in Lagoa dos Gatos, Pernambuco, Brazil. In August 2021, UNICEF…
03 June 2022

Global Annual Results Report 2021: Every child has an equitable chance in life

Seventy-four years after UNICEF was established and 31 years since the adoption of the Convention on the Rights of the Child, the organization’s mission to promote the full attainment of the rights of all children is as urgent as ever.  The UNICEF Strategic Plan 2018-2021 is anchored in the Convention on the Rights of the Child and charts a course…, 1 in 6 children in the world is living in extreme poverty Nearly 20% of children under 5 are extremely poor, compared to 7.9% of adults 100 million additional children are estimated to be living in multidimensional poverty as a result of the pandemic, a 10 per cent increase since 2019 Child poverty has devastating consequences for children,…, portrait-girl Public finance for children, In 137 UNICEF country offices as part of the COVID-19 response, UNICEF worked with governments, development partners and International Financial Institutions to protect and leverage resources for children  In 65 countries supported national governments to strengthen social sector budgets for better and increased investments for children  In 96…, portrait-girl Strengthening social protection systems, Only 1 in 4 children currently has any access to a child or family benefit Nearly 133 million children in 95 countries were reached through UNICEF-supported cash transfer programmes 115 countries were supported with building inclusive and shock-responsive social protection systems supporting emergency responses Social protection has continued to…, girls-football-match Promoting positive gender norms and socialization, 94 UNICEF Country Programmes across all regions included concrete gender equality objectives 64 UNICEF Country Offices  carried out interventions to confront gender discriminatory roles and norms and promote positive gender socialization 3 million mothers, fathers and caregivers were reached across 94 countries  To promote positive gender norms…, big-sister-carry-younger-sister Supporting children with disabilities to reach their full potential, 4.8 million children with disabilities across 148 countries reached with UNICEF disability-inclusive development and humanitarian programmes Over 134,000 children provided with assistive technology (AT) and accessible products, exceeding the 2021 target of 95,200 55 per cent of UNICEF country offices systematically included children with…, young-women-outside Supporting adolescents to engage in shaping their future, Adolescent Participation and Civic Engagement 19,500,000 adolescents (54 per cent girls) engaged in UNICEF programmes across 125 countries in humanitarian and development settings 5,700,000 adolescents  engaged specifically in UNICEF programmes in humanitarian action and more than one million in climate change advocacy. 92 per cent of UNICEF…, girl-hugging-globe Looking forward, Looking ahead, UNICEF is sharpening the focus of this Goal Area with a focus on reducing child poverty, revamping and reaffirming our focus on public finance for an inclusive recovery, and expanding access to inclusive social protection, including in humanitarian crises and fragile contexts. Strengthening social protection systems’ capacities to…,    With thanks, This report highlights the achievements made possible by the generous contributions of softly earmarked thematic funding received from various partners. UNICEF would like to express it's sincere appreciation for these contribution, Read more and support our work, June 2022, Global Annual Results Report 2021 GOAL AREA 5 Every child has an equitable chance in life Cover image: UNICEF/UNI388995/Mussapp As part of the response to COVID-19, UNICEF and the World Bank supported the Government of Guatemala with the design and implementation of Bono Familia, an unconditional emergency cash transfer programme to support the…
22 November 2021

A better future for every child – World Children’s Day 2021!

The COVID-19 pandemic has shown how inequality affects the rights of every child. 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, children and young people were joined by stars and leaders to reimagine a better world., A celebration of children's rights and a powerful reminder to listen to young people, View this post on Instagram A post shared by Millie Bobby Brown (@milliebobbybrown)   32 years ago, world leaders made a promise to children: we will keep you safe, help you learn, and uphold your right to speak and be heard. This #WorldChildrensDay , and every day, UNICEF works to help fulfill that promise #ForEveryChild . pic.twitter.com/…, To the top in Burundi, It’s World Children’s Day! UNICEF’s global day of action for children, by children. And today, we go blue To celebrate the rights of every child Anywhere Everywhere #ForEveryChild pic.twitter.com/JnGU28ApYZ — UNICEF Bhutan (@UNICEFBhutan) November 20, 2021   After showcasing their artwork at our #WorldChildrensDay event on Tuesday last week, the…, No barriers in Costa Rica, Inspiration through music, "Be brave, be carefree to pursue whatever your heart desires to be." 🎶 This #WorldChildrensDay , UNICEF China National Ambassador Roy Wang empowers children and young people to be themselves and shape their own futures. pic.twitter.com/uykObyQ9jF — UNICEF (@UNICEF) November 21, 2021   Reem has simple dreams😶‍🌫️🌟 On #WorldChildrensDay , children…, #KidsTakeOver, "Playing the role of the editor-in-chief, I’ve learned so many things about how publishing the news works that I never could have imagined before as a child journalist”, says Rupkatha Rahman who took over the @ProthomAlo editor-in-chief role for this #WorldChildrensDay ! 👏📰 pic.twitter.com/MbFjSB0pME — UNICEF Bangladesh (@UNICEFBD) November 20,…, Young people speaking out and taking action, From bridging the digital divide in education to fighting climate change to championing LGBTQI+ rights and social justice. This #WorldChildrensDay , meet our 2021 Youth Advocates — thought leaders with diverse goals. @voicesofyouth — UNICEF (@UNICEF) November 20, 2021   Ahmad, 15 from #Syria , wanted to bring children and parents closer together.…, Ireland: How a positive climate future for every child can be achieved, Farmer and climate activist Liadh Dalton, 15, meets Taoiseach Micheal Martin., Children, young people and presidents, A bridge brings together children and presidents from Botswana, Namibia, Zambia and Zimbabwe > Learn more The bird's eye view when Kazungula went blue on Saturday. Beforehand, Heads of State from Botswana, Zambia, Namibia and Zimbabwe pledged to work together to improve the lives of children in the region. #WorldChildrensDay #GoBlueKazungula…, Rijad, 17, takes over the Kosovan presidency, *Under UNSC resolution 1244, Turning the world blue for child rights, Going blue on #WorldChildrensDay represents our mandate to stand for the rights of every child wherever he lives. This year as children are impacted by #NagornoKarabakh conflict & COVID-19 it is not a celebration but a resolve towards reimagining a better world #foreverychild pic.twitter.com/l51KGUIW4k — UNICEF Armenia (@unicefarmenia)…, Friends of UNICEF celebrate World Children's Day, It's #WorldChildrensDay ! A day we remind everyone about the adoption of the Convention on the Rights of the Child. A day to focus on the most pressing issues facing children. Here is a message from our Regional Ambassador, @siwonchoi 💙 pic.twitter.com/HHyon1tIUu — UNICEF East Asia Pacific (@UNICEF_EAPRO) November 20, 2021   "We want to live." It’…
01 April 2021

Global Annual Results Report 2020: Humanitarian Action

In 2020, UNICEF and partners responded to 455 new and ongoing humanitarian situations in 152 countries. More than half of all UNICEF expenses in 2020 supported humanitarian action.  Globally, UNICEF and partners reached millions of children with lifesaving, gender-sensitive and disability-inclusive interventions in the areas of health, nutrition,…, Humanitarian needs grew exponentially in 2020. By the end of the year, 235 million people – 1 in 33 people worldwide were in need of humanitarian assistance and protection. That represents a significant increase from the 1 in 45 people in need when the year began, which was already the highest figure in decades.   During the year, the COVID-19…, UNICEF humanitarian action in 2020, In 2020, UNICEF and its implementing partners responded to 455 new and ongoing humanitarian situations in 152 countries and territories, compared with 281 humanitarian situations in 96 countries and territories in 2019. The significant increase in the number of humanitarian situations and countries can be attributed to the UNICEF humanitarian…, Type and scale of humanitarian response in 2020, Delivering humanitarian results for children, These are some of the key humanitarian results achieved against targets for children by UNICEF and partners in 2020. In some contexts, achievements were constrained by limited resources, including across sectors; inadequate humanitarian access; insecurity; and challenging operating environments. UNICEF In the Ecuadorian Amazon, remote doesn’t mean…, Key results from humanitarian responses, A young baby sits on their mother's lap with their sleeve rolled up UNICEF/UN0358770/Faze Afghanistan Over 506,000 children and pregnant and lactating women received essential health services and health education, including through mobile outreach teams (exceeding the target). A young girl sitting at a desk in her bedroom using a computer tablet…, Emergency deployments, A total of 319 emergency (surge) deployments were reported and completed in 2020, down from 600 in 2019. These deployments totalled nearly 34,000 days, with an average mission length of 122 days., Top 3 crises supported through emergency deployments, Partnerships, In 2020, UNICEF collaborated with 1,852 civil society partners (1,294 local and 558 international non-governmental organizations). UNICEF also partnered with national government responders, transferring nearly US$244 million of humanitarian funding. Overall, 28 per cent of humanitarian funding went directly to local and national civil society and…, Emergency supplies, A man wearing a mask and a UNICEF jacket standing in front of a shipment of emergencies supplies being loaded into a plane UNICEF/UNI322101/ Supplying the fight against COVID-19 Currently affecting more than 200 countries and territories, the COVID-19 virus has upended the lives of children and their families everywhere, placing a huge strain on…, Resource mobilization, The year’s results were made possible by the generous contributions of resource partners, including governments, National Committees and corporate partners. The UNICEF resource mobilization strategy for humanitarian action continued to put children at the centre of political and policy agendas to generate adequate and quality financial resources…, Global humanitarian thematic funding, UNICEF Global Humanitarian Thematic Funding global humanitarian thematic funds – critical multi-year flexible funding – allowed the organization to meet critical needs. These funds helped UNICEF respond to overlapping crises in the Sahel, where vulnerable people urgently needed multisectoral support throughout the year; scale up its response to…, Looking forward, A young woman standing in a classroom in front of a blackboard A boy standing in front of solar panels and waving A girl standing in front of a white wall with colourful butterflies and flowers painted on it UNICEF is dedicated to improving its humanitarian action, in accordance with its Strategic Plan, to meet the challenges described above and…, With thanks, This report highlights the achievements made possible by the generous contributions of softly earmarked thematic funding received from various partners. UNICEF would like to express it's sincere appreciation for these contributions. June 2021, Global Annual Results Report 2020 Humanitarian action Cover image: UNICEF/UNI367251/Fazel Somaya, 9 years, washes her hands at a UNICEF-supported handwashing facility for internally displaced children in Ferdousi camp, Balkh province, Afghanistan (September 2020). Expression of thanks: UNICEF/UN0403198/Abdalkarim A refugee boy at a UNICEF-…
01 April 2021

Global Annual Results Report 2020: Goal Area 5

Seventy-four years after UNICEF was established and 31 years since the adoption of the Convention on the Rights of the Child, the organization’s mission to promote the full attainment of the rights of all children is as urgent as ever.  The UNICEF Strategic Plan 2018-2021 is anchored in the Convention on the Rights of the Child and charts a course…, In 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic unleashed an era-defining challenge which has put a sobering spotlight on inequalities in every country, laying bare the increasing risk to children growing up in poverty, exclusion or conflict.  The most harmful effects have fallen on the poorest countries and communities. Those that were already marginalized and…, Ending child poverty by 2030, Icon representing poverty - child with an empty bowl 1 in 6 children in the world is living in extreme poverty Icon representing children - boy and girl holding hands Nearly 20% of children under 5 are extremely poor, compared to 7.9% of adults Icon representing chart - bar graph 1.2 billion children are estimated to be multidimensionally poor, up…, Child poverty in fragile contexts, While COVID-19 has had fundamental impacts on increasing child poverty, underlying threats of conflict, fragility and climate change are also crucial long-term drivers. About 40 percent of children who live in fragile and conflict-affected countries live in extreme poverty compared to 15 percent of children in other countries. With the impacts of…, Public finance for children, Icon representing government building - building with flag flying In 124 UNICEF country offices as part of the COVID-19 response, UNICEF worked with governments, development partners and International Financial Institutions to protect and leverage resources for children  Icon representing country office - shape of undefined country In 119…, Making public spending on children’s rights more efficient and effective, The COVID-19 crisis has created major pressure on public budgets and social sector spending as governments faced decreased revenues and increased pressure on spending for pandemic response. Focusing on efficiency and effectiveness of public budgets during the COVID-19 response and recovery has been key to ensure the sustainability of social sector…, Strengthening social protection systems, Icon representing cash transfer - hands protecting child 115 countries were supported with building inclusive and shock-responsive social protection systems supporting emergency responses Icon representing children - boy and girl holding hands Over 130.7 million children in 93 countries were reached through UNICEF-supported cash transfer…, UNICEF's support to build social protection systems, Supporting childcare and adolescent employability, UNICEF works towards enhancing quality childcare services and family-friendly policies, particularly for working mothers; and improving access to employment, job-placement and skills-development programmes for adolescents and youth. COVID-19 further increased the care burden on women and adolescent girls given that schools, childcare centres and…, Linking humanitarian cash transfers to social protection systems, Children in fragile and humanitarian contexts face additional vulnerabilities and strengthening social protection in these contexts is particularly important. For the first time, UNICEF has included social protection in its Core Commitments for Children in humanitarian contexts and worked in almost 80 countries to help ensure their social…, Promoting positive gender norms and socialization, Icon representing social norms - a man and a woman with a rainbow over their heads 49 UNICEF country programmes carried out interventions to confront gender-discriminatory roles and norms and promote positive gender socialization Icon representing children without parental care - two protective hands around a heart An estimated 2.6 million mothers…, Supporting children with disabilities to reach their full potential, Icon representing children with disabilities - child in a wheelchair 2.2 million children with disabilities across 144 countries reached with UNICEF disability-inclusive development and humanitarian programmes  Icon representing computer connected to the internet Over 152,000 children provided with assistive technology (AT) and accessible products…, Furthering inclusive education, Disability-inclusive education means that all children and adolescents with disabilities can enjoy their right to education on an equal basis with their peers. UNICEF works with partners to promote accessible and inclusive learning spaces and materials. More importantly, it works with teachers and school administrations to promote inclusive…, Reducing stigma and invisibility through advocacy and communication, Stigma and discrimination are key barriers to inclusion of girls and boys with disabilities. UNICEF works to transform attitudes and social norms around disability to support the full inclusion of children with disabilities in society. The COVID-19 crisis shifted many priorities and created an urgent need for inclusive Risk-Communication and…, Supporting adolescents to engage in shaping their future, Icon representing skills development - pencil and wrench 7.7 million children over 3.2 million girls – participated in UNICEF-supported skills development, empowerment and employability training programmes  Icon representing gender quality - male and femal symbols with equals symbol 61 countries supported to institutionalize gender-equitable…, Building skills and capacities of adolescents, UNICEF approaches skills-building by strengthening systems to integrate life skills into education systems, using community platforms to reach the most disadvantaged, working with adults to support adolescents and young people, applying experiential and innovative approaches, and using digital platforms. YuWaah - Generation Unlimited India YuWaah…, Looking forward, A young woman standing in a classroom in front of a blackboard A boy standing in front of solar panels and waving A girl standing in front of a white wall with colourful butterflies and flowers painted on it UNICEF will define its next Strategic Plan in 2021 addressing the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic while contributing to accelerate the…, With thanks, This report highlights the achievements made possible by the generous contributions of softly earmarked thematic funding received from various partners. UNICEF would like to express it's sincere appreciation for these contributions. June 2021, Global Annual Results Report 2020 GOAL AREA 5 Every child has an equitable chance in life Cover image: UNICEF/UNI389019/Mussap Telma Paz, 36 years old, and her children, 11, 9 and 4 years old, benefit from the Bono Familia programme granted by the Government of Guatemala, with support from UNICEF and the World Bank. Telma sells pancakes and works…
18 January 2021

Young climate activists demand action and inspire hope

As the impacts of climate change intensify with each passing year, more and more young people are joining the movement for positive change. By leading the discussion around climate change, they are also spreading awareness and motivating others to take action. UNICEF partnered with Fridays For Future , an organization founded by Greta Thunberg, to…, María, Mexico, Since childhood, María, 19, has seen the impacts of the climate crisis up close, especially the water crisis that runs throughout Mexico. While droughts and rising temperatures are causing forest fires, cyclones are causing flooding and harvests to be lost. To fight this, she became a full-time climate activist. She believes that the issue of…, Russell, Dominica, Russell Raymond, 17, is a reporter from the Caribbean nation of Dominica. When Hurricane Maria made landfall in September 2017, it devastated his country, submerging streets, blowing roofs off homes and schools and forcing his family to seek shelter. Since then, he has used photography to chronicle the impacts of the hurricane on the island he…, Mitzi, Philippines, Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, Mitzi Jonelle Tan, an activist from Manila, has been campaigning for climate justice. As the Philippines was hit by two back-to-back hurricanes in 2020, her organization sprang into action – feeding the communities left hungry and asking them about their problems and how they felt after the storm. “This isn’t just…, Nkosi, Zimbabwe, Nkosilathi Nyathi, 17, is a UNICEF climate activist from Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe. He walks us through changes he has witnessed first-hand as a result of climate change. He feels that although young people can see and feel the effects of climate change, many don’t know what’s happening and he wants to change that. “There’s no other time for acting…