Global

Climate change is raising global temperatures and causing historic heat waves. More countries are facing hotter days more frequently, with more intensity and for longer periods. The heat stress caused by exposure to heat waves can negatively affect health and well-being, especially for infants and young children. A third of the world’s children…, Heat waves: Fast facts, What is a heat wave?, A heat wave is any period of three days or more during which the maximum temperature is higher than normal (in the top 10 per cent of the local 15-day average. Humidity can add to the temperature causing it to feel much hotter., What is heat stress?, Heat stress is the stress caused to the body when it is unable to remove excess heat. Exposure to high temperatures and humidity, which when intensified by physical exertion, overwhelms the body’s ability to cool itself. This can lead to heat-related illnesses which can range from mild, like heat rashes in infants, to more serious life-threatening…, Why are children more at risk?, Children are more vulnerable to the short- and long-term effects of heat stress. Children sweat less per kilogram than adults and have a higher metabolism, which means they get hot quicker. They also spend more time outdoors than adults for play, sports and other activities, putting them at greater risk for heat exposure and injury. While playing…, How do heat waves impact infants and babies?, Infants and young children cannot regulate their body temperature as well as adults because their bodies have more internal heat to begin with and absorb more heat from the environment. Babies’ immune systems are still developing, making them less capable of fighting off the symptoms of heat stress. Heat stress in pregnancy can put the baby at…, How extreme heat affects children, Extreme heat poses unique risks at different stages of childhood. For example, babies and young children under age 5 are the most at risk of increased heat-related mortality and morbidity, while adolescents are more likely to experience exertional heat-related injuries. Extreme heat can have serious effects on children’s health, mental well-being…, Health, Heat stress can lead to heat strokes and diarrhoea caused by dehydration. It can lead to an increased risk of chronic respiratory conditions, organ dysfunction like kidney failure, and chronic issues due to congenital defects., Nutrition, Heat waves make droughts worse, adding to crop failure and threatening children’s access to food and water. Food insecurity caused by heat waves has severe impacts on child nutrition., Education, Heat waves are linked to lower school attendance. High air temperatures and lower hydration are known to affect children’s ability to concentrate. These can impact overall school achievements., Mental health, High temperatures are linked to increases in mental health problems in children and adolescents. Heat can lead to high stress and poor sleep. These in turn can make episodes of depression and post-traumatic stress disorder more likely to occur. >> For parents: how to talk to your child about mental health Back to menu>>, How to keep children safe from heat stress, Recognizing early signs of heat-related illness and prevention are key Here are some ways to keep children safe and comfortable during a heat wave: Keep a close eye on their activities even if they are playing indoors. Monitor for early signs and symptoms of heat illness. Avoid the outdoors during the hot midday and afternoon hours. Help them to…, What needs to happen, UNICEF calls on governments and partners to take urgent action Mara, 5, is having her daily shower after school, in Bateay, Cambodia. As heat waves become more frequent and last longer, the need for urgent action grows stronger. Preparedness can protect vulnerable populations, especially children. UNICEF and partners are calling on governments to…

What are humanitarian cash transfers?, Humanitarian cash transfers are payments made in the form of physical currency or e-cash that can be used to address humanitarian needs in any type of emergency. They are a highly effective way of providing humanitarian assistance to individuals and households., How do cash transfers work?, Cash can be provided as a one-off payment or as regular monthly transfers. These transfers can be delivered as currency via bank accounts, post offices, companies providing money transfer services, through the use of mobile phones, or simply by hand. Cash transfers can be given as a standalone payment and/or combined with other types of services…, Who is eligible for cash transfers?, Determining who will benefit most from humanitarian assistance is a critical step in designing cash transfer programmes, which should be tailored to the specific contexts of a given country or emergency. A range of targeting criteria are used to identify households most in need of support. Per its mandate, UNICEF usually targets families with…, Why are humanitarian cash transfers a good idea?, Humanitarian cash transfers help UNICEF serve children and families better. They are a cost-effective way of quickly getting support to those who need it most. The overall cost of delivering cash assistance is often lower than in-kind assistance, meaning more people can be reached. Cash transfers also empower people to make decisions based on…, Does UNICEF use humanitarian cash transfers?, Yes, humanitarian cash transfers have been a vital part of UNICEF’s emergency toolkit for responding to conflicts, disasters and protracted crises. UNICEF uses its expertise in both social protection system strengthening and in the direct delivery of cash, to fulfill its humanitarian and development mandate. UNICEF’s first choice when giving cash…

Every child has the right to a safe, clean and healthy environment. It is critical for their growth and development. Breathing unhealthy air puts children and pregnant women at risk for adverse health effects and even death. As our environment continues to change at alarming rates, we look at what air pollution is, how children are impacted and…, Air pollution: Fast facts, What is air pollution?, Air pollution is a complex mix of pollutants including fine particles and harmful gases like nitrogen dioxide, sulfur dioxide and carbon monoxide. These can penetrate deep into our lungs and bloodstream and cause lasting damage to our health., What are the different sources of air pollution?, Polluted air can be found in indoor and outdoor settings and can move rapidly between the two. It can travel hundreds or thousands of kilometers from its source. Outdoor or ambient Most air pollution comes from industrial sources like power plants and factories that burn fossil fuels (coal, oil, natural gas); road traffic; waste management;…, The impacts of air pollution, Air pollution can cause serious environmental and health hazards, including fatal diseases in people and animals. Difficulty breathing is linked with respiratory diseases like asthma and bronchitis. Air pollution can also have long-term health impacts, including cardiovascular diseases, lung cancer and diabetes. Children exposed to air pollution…, Climate change and air pollution, Climate change and air pollution impact each other. When the temperature is high, the level of air pollutants goes up. Heatwaves and other climate-related events such as wildfires worsen air quality. In turn, air pollutants such as carbon dioxide are also major greenhouse gases that can accelerate climate change. Nearly half the world’s children…, Children and air pollution, Children are more vulnerable to air pollution, Children’s lungs are in the process of growing and developing, making them especially susceptible to polluted air. Children breathe twice as quickly as adults and take in more air relative to their body weight. Many young children often breathe through their mouth, which takes in more pollutants. They are also closer to the ground, where some…, How does air pollution impact children?, Children who breathe polluted air are at higher risk of acute respiratory infections like pneumonia. Those that live in polluted environments can have their lung capacity reduced by 20 per cent. That’s similar to the effect of growing up in a home with secondhand cigarette smoke. Air pollution is associated with pneumonia, which is the largest…, Pregnant mothers and newborn babies, The first 1,000 days of a baby’s life are a critical period of vulnerability from air pollution. Exposure during this period can alter their physical and cognitive development, which can lead to childhood and adult disorders. Air pollution can also negatively impact the duration of pregnancy and weight of the newborn child. It accounts for 20 per…, Children in particular parts of the world are at greater risk, Air pollution disproportionately harms children living in poverty, accounting for most illnesses and premature deaths in low- and middle-income countries. Poverty forces people to use polluting fuels and devices for cooking, which is a major source of indoor air pollution. Many of the worst sources of outdoor air pollution, like power plants,…, Actions to protect children, How can we protect children from air pollution?, Here are some things we can do in our communities and homes to keep children safe from the impacts of air pollution: Keep children indoors when air pollution levels are high; If they must go out, protect them with a filtering and well-fitted mask; Install window and air filters at home, if possible; Use cleaner fuels and technologies to cook, heat…, The need for universal action, Air pollution is a global public health crisis silently destroying the lives and futures of children. Action must be taken to stop it now. Broadly, governments need to: Build capacities of the health sector in preventing, detecting and treating air pollution related diseases; Set up and maintain air quality monitoring systems and reporting…, Healthy environments framework, In 2021, UNICEF launched its Healthy Environments for Healthy Children Framework , outlining major actions for stakeholders to take to reduce environmental threats to children’s health. There are five major actions that UNICEF and its partners can take:    Strengthen climate-resilience and environmental sustainability in health care facilities;…

What is RUTF? , RUTF is ready-to-use therapeutic food. It’s an energy dense, micronutrient paste made using peanuts, sugar, milk powder, oil, vitamins and minerals that has helped treat millions of children threatened by severe wasting – the most dangerous form of malnutrition. Globally, 1 in 5 deaths among children under age 5 is attributed to severe wasting,…, Why is RUTF a wonder ‘food’?, RUTF comes in a one-dose foil sachet, has a shelf life of two years and doesn’t require refrigeration, even after opening. It doesn’t require preparation and doesn’t need to be mixed with water, reducing the risk of children consuming contaminated water. It is safe and easy to use and can be eaten straight from the sachet. RUTF revolutionized the…, What’s UNICEF’s role?, In most cases, children with wasting can be treated with RUTF, allowing them to recover in their own homes and communities rather than in a health facility. UNICEF procures and distributes an estimated 75-80 per cent of the world’s RUTF supply. Delivering RUTF to communities where children live is a complex exercise. Supplies of RUTF are typically…

To help you provide your students with a safe and supportive learning environment, here are some ways to support your student’s well-being. Did you know? During times of stress and crisis, children observe adults’ behaviours and emotions for cues on how to manage their own., Emotional check-ins, Returning to school can be an emotionally trying time for everyone and children can be greatly impacted in a number of ways. Conduct routine emotional check-ins with your students. To check-in emotionally is to ask children “how they are” in a direct or indirect way. One method is to ask children "What colour do you feel today?" Ask children to…, Identifying signs of distress, Children have different reactions to adverse events in their environment. Culture influences the ways in which we express emotions. In some cultures, for example, it is not appropriate to show strong emotions like crying loudly, while in others it is widely accepted. Based on the culture you work in, be alert for signs that children are not doing…, Activities to reduce stress and support student well-being, These activities can be done with students in order to help reduce stress, support well-being and provide them with positive coping strategies. These activities are also beneficial for you, and you and your students can do them together.   Belly breathing Often when we are stressed our breathing becomes shallow, high in our chests, and we forget…

Teaching can often be a highly stressful career. However, there are steps you can take to help cope with the pressures of the job and manage stress levels. As a teacher, you might be exhausted juggling work and family obligations, and concerned about how best to help your students make up for learning lost from school closures during the COVID-19…, Ways to cope, While people react differently to stress, people often do better over the long-term if they: Feel safe, connected to others, calm and hopeful Have access to social, physical and emotional support Regain a sense of control by being able to help themselves If you recognize signs of stress and how they affect different aspects of your well-being, you…, What is self-care?, The World Health Organization defines self-care as “the ability of individuals, families and communities to promote health, prevent disease, maintain health, and to cope with illness and disability with or without the support of a healthcare provider.” Self-care is any activity that we do intentionally in order to take care of our mental,…, What is burnout?, One of the negative consequences of accumulated stress is burnout. Burnout is a state of physical, emotional and mental exhaustion that results from prolonged exposure to job stressors or work situations that are emotionally demanding. It is emotional exhaustion and can result in a sense of reduced personal accomplishment. Burnout includes many…, Making time for self-care as teachers, Too many people work until they can't go on or they view rest and sleep as something which is not important. It is important to view rest as an essential tool for maintaining well-being. Resting can be as simple as just turning off the lights in your classroom for a few minutes after your students have left. Or try and limit the time you spend…, Hope and well-being, It is important to remind yourself and your students that you have control over different aspects of your life and that you can bring about change. When you are facing challenging times, it can be difficult to feel hopeful that things can improve. When we feel hopeful, it helps us to focus on change, look to the future, and actively look for…

Many people who get sick with COVID-19 experience mild symptoms and are able to recover at home. For a lot of families living together though, it’s often difficult to avoid spreading the virus to others. Here are some tips on what to do if you or a family member gets sick.   People who test positive for COVID-19 and have mild or no symptoms can…, How to care for someone with COVID-19, As you look after your sick family member, remember to take care of yourself too. Limit the number of caregivers. Ideally, assign one person who is in good health and not at high risk of severe illness from COVID-19 – i.e. fully vaccinated, below 60 years old and with no chronic health conditions.  Help the sick person to follow instructions from…, How to wash your hands, What to tell children if someone falls sick in the family, Being sick is hard on everyone in the family, including those who aren’t ill. How children respond to the situation depends a lot on their age. Younger children might not understand what is going on and why they suddenly cannot see a parent or sibling. For older children it can cause worry and painful feelings. Some might blame themselves for what…, What to do if you fall ill, If you feel ill or test positive for COVID-19 then stay home. If your condition worsens or you have difficulty breathing, call your healthcare facility immediately.  If you are your child’s sole caregiver, then consider who could look after your child if you become too ill to do so. Ideally, the caregiver should be someone who is not at higher…, What to do if your child is ill, If your child has COVID-19 symptoms, then seek medical advice as soon as they start to feel unwell, even if symptoms are mild. If your doctor says it is safe to care for your child at home, try to limit contact to one caregiver as much as possible to protect other family members – especially those at high risk of severe disease – from being…

Being online can present lots of great opportunities to connect, learn and share what’s important to you, but it comes with challenges too. If social media or the internet has ever made you feel stressed, envious or lonely, or experience feelings of lower self‑esteem or social anxiety, know that you’re not alone. Here are five tips on how to look…, 1. Avoid doomscrolling, Pay close attention to how social media and online content is influencing your emotions, thoughts or actions. How does it make you feel? Does reading the news make you feel informed or stressed? Does seeing photos of your friends at a party make you feel good or envious? Do you check your phone first thing in the morning to learn about breaking…, 2. Be mindful, There are loads of great online tools and content that can help support all aspects of mental health and wellbeing. From meditation apps to help you relax and focus, to platforms that help you develop your sense of identity and self, stay connected and support one another. There are lots of great online learning tools where you can try something…, 3. Protect yourself and others online, Check the privacy settings on all your social media profiles. Keep webcams covered when not in use. Be careful when signing up to apps and services online – especially providing your full name, address or photo. If you are concerned about something you have seen or experienced online, you should talk to a trusted adult like a parent or teacher,…, 4. Choose kindness, Use social media for good, by sharing positive and supportive content and messages with your friends, family and classmates. For example, you could reach out to let someone know you’re thinking of them or add a positive comment on a post they shared. If you find yourself responding to a message or post with something negative, pause and consider…, 5. Stay present and connected IRL, The lines between the online and offline worlds can feel increasingly blurred, making it hard to live in the present moment and satisfy our innate need for human contact. Do you ever find yourself interrupting what you are doing so you can post it on social media, or scrolling through your friend’s stories rather than calling or meeting up to see…

Donate Doses Now is a campaign on vaccine equity that ran during 2021, led by UNICEF and partner organizations.  COVID-19 doesn’t discriminate, and the dangerous surges in infection rates and the emergence of new variants in some countries places everyone at risk. The development of safe and effective COVID-19 vaccines is a huge step forward in…, 5 things to know about why dose donations are essential:, More than 8.5 billion vaccine doses have been administered worldwide. Yet, only around 7.3 per cent of people in low-income countries had received at least one dose by mid-December 2021. While we need even more vaccines to meet demand, there are enough doses available among well-supplied countries to reach the world’s most vulnerable people right…, Call to Action:, UNICEF is calling on Governments with surplus doses to begin donating now. COVID-19 vaccines alone are not a silver bullet to end the pandemic. But donating immediately available doses is needed right now.