Unicef WORLD Program

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Civilians trapped, children at risk, amid escalating violence in Darfur
Statement by UNICEF Representative to Sudan Sheldon Yett

NEW YORK, 2 May 2025 - “For two months, children in the Gaza Strip have faced relentless bombardments while being deprived of essential goods, services and lifesaving care. With each passing day of the aid blockade, they face the growing risk of starvation, illness and death – nothing can justify this.

“Families are struggling to survive. They are trapped, unable to flee in search of safety. The land they used to farm has been destroyed. The sea they used for fishing has been restricted. Bakeries are closing, water production is declining, and market shelves are almost bare. Humanitarian aid has provided the only lifeline for children, and now it is close to running out.

Children in Gaza need life-saving support
UNICEF continues to work with partners to provide assistance to children and their families.

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Learn how your donation helps every child.
Together, we can make a difference to the lives of children across this diverse and vibrant region. Your support can bring hope, and a brighter future to countless children.

Join the Movement and Be a Champion for Children
West and Central Africa is home to 12% of the world’s children yet this region bears a disproportionate share of the global burden of key child rights deprivations. Children now account for almost half of all Africa’s population, and by 2055 Africa will be home to one billion children. By the end of the century, it is projected that Africa will be home to nearly half of the world's children.​

Globally West and Central Africa accounts for:
31%
of deaths in under-5 children

42%
of maternal deaths

19%
of stunted children

>50%
of under5s not reaching their full development
2nd
highest HIV burden globally

33%
out-of-school children and adolescents

Highest
Ranking region of adolescents neither studying, in training or working

46 million
adolescent girls and boys are without any hygiene facilities and services

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As UNICEF's most important resource, our highly qualified and dedicated staff are committed to achieving results for children and young people everywhere. UNICEF strives to uphold gender equality, geographic diversity, and inclusion by selecting individuals with the highest levels of technical expertise, competence, and commitment.

UNICEF Blue Days, a time to raise awareness and fundraise for education in emergencies.

Immunization for all
A future where every child is protected by life-saving vaccines is humanly possible.

Every year, millions of children die from illnesses that are preventable and treatable.

New and reemerging diseases – like mpox, polio and measles – are threatening the lives of children around the world. And, the most vulnerable children, those living in conflict or in the world’s poorest places, are suffering the most.

No matter where they are, all children have a right to health.

Increases in vaccine-preventable disease outbreaks threaten years of progress, warn WHO, UNICEF, Gavi
Agencies call for sustained investments in immunization efforts amidst looming funding cuts

GENEVA/NEW YORK, 24 April 2025 – Immunization efforts are under growing threat as misinformation, population growth, humanitarian crises, and funding cuts jeopardize progress and leave millions of children, adolescents, and adults at risk, warn WHO, UNICEF, and Gavi during World Immunization Week, 24-30 April.

Outbreaks of vaccine-preventable diseases such as measles, meningitis, and yellow fever are rising globally, and diseases like diphtheria, which have long been held at bay or virtually disappeared in many countries, are at risk of re-emerging. In response, the agencies are calling for urgent and sustained political attention and investment to strengthen immunization programmes and protect significant progress achieved in reducing child mortality over the past 50 years.

“Vaccines have saved more than 150 million lives over the past five decades,” said WHO Director-General, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. “Funding cuts to global health have put these hard-won gains in jeopardy. Outbreaks of vaccine-preventable diseases are increasing around the world, putting lives at risk and exposing countries to increased costs in treating diseases and responding to outbreaks. Countries with limited resources must invest in the highest-impact interventions – and that includes vaccines.”

Gavi’s upcoming high-level pledging summit taking place on 25 June 2025 seeks to raise at least US$ 9 billion from our donors to fund our ambitious strategy to protect 500 million children, saving at least 8 million lives from 2026–2030.