The Greatest Need

Children are first to suffer and worst impacted by conflict.

In recent weeks, hostilities in parts of the Middle East have escalated dramatically, with innocent children and families caught in the crossfire.

Deadly attacks in Lebanon have killed and injured more than 12,000 people and forced 1.2 million from their homes. 258,000 refugees, mostly children, have crossed into Syria to flee the fighting. Meanwhile, the conflict in Gaza has entered a second year, with more than 3.3 million people needing ongoing humanitarian assistance.

UNICEF is on the ground providing supplies and services to children and families affected by conflict. However, with hospitals and health systems stretched to breaking point, water and sanitation infrastructure crippled and millions of families on the move - we need to continue to deliver for those in greatest need.

Any donation you can make will help children in conflict and crisis.

Every moment matters in an emergency.

When a crisis hits, everything stops. Every second, every minute, every hour counts, for vulnerable kids around the world. That’s why we’re always there, in under 48 hours, rapidly responding with our humanitarian supplies so we can save lives. It’s also why we need your help with donations, so we’re always ready for when the next disaster strikes. 

Make a donation today, so we’re ready for the next emergency.

For over 77 years, we've strengthened our emergency preparedness through developing our global partner network and working closely with the communities we help. Our response is only as effective as our preparation. We’ve got eyes on the ground, expert minds strengthening our systems, many hands stockpiling supply hubs around the globe, and your donations helping us to be flexible enough to adjust to whatever crisis unfolds – making our response quick and effective, so there's a future for every child.  

All around the world

See how your support is helping kids right now AND the long-term!

Safe and clean water, sanitation & hygiene – continuous and uplifting education – life-saving vaccines – nutritious foods – and quality healthcare.

Donors have helped UNICEF provide each of these and more despite the cholera epidemic in Somalia, conflict in Sudan, flooding in Bangladesh, the fighting in Ukraine and earthquakes in Türkiye & Syria. 

The climate crisis

Every child on the planet is already affected by climate change. Though roughly HALF the world's kids are vulnerable to the severe impacts caused by climate change, including natural disasters. That's over 1 BILLION children whose well-being, health and development is under threat. 

Natural disasters cut children off from schooling, shelter, nutrition, health care, and one of the biggest necessities during an emergency, safe water & sanitation. With the increase of storms and rising sea levels - water and sanitation facilities are often destroyed, disease spreads and the salt content of groundwater increases that many communities rely on for their drinking water. 

We're constantly strengthening our disaster responses to be more climate resilient and innovative, to creating long-term change for kids and making sure your donations are going the distance! 

Our focus from 2022 – 2025

Making sure children grow up healthy & strong by accessing good nutrition, quality healthcare and nurturing mental health services.

In 2022 alone we reached 356 million children under 5 - more than ever before – through our malnutrition prevention and treatment programmes. What's more the number of children, young people and caregivers provided with mental health and psychosocial support services more than doubled to 25.2 million while a further 4.5 million children were reached through our disability-inclusive programmes.

We respond immediately to emergencies to make sure kids aren't cut off from crucial services that support their health, growth and happiness. 

Creating opportunities and fostering dreams through continuous and quality education.

We helped almost 40 million out-of-school children access education in 2022, including 3.1 million children on the move and 18.6 million in humanitarian settings.

When a crisis strikes you can’t postpone a child’s education. There is no pause button, only a future that could be lost forever.  

Keeping children safe with fair and inclusive protection programmes. 

We scaled up our parenting support programmes to prevent violence, exploitation and harmful practises, reaching almost 12 million caregivers – up from 3 million in 2021.  

We're committed to preventing and responding to child abuse, neglect, exploitation, and violence during emergencies, when children are most vulnerable. 

Providing sustainable, long-lasting, and clean; water sources, sanitation facilities, and environments for all children. 

In 2022, we reached more than 39 million people with clean water and basic sanitation & hygiene services in emergency situations.  

During conflict and disaster, water facilities are often damaged or destroyed and water sources contaminated. Donors help us deliver safe water and sanitation while also strengthening and building resilient systems and services, so there’s a future for every child. 

Helping every child live a life free from poverty and reach their full potential. 

With support from UNICEF, Governments were able to reach 129 million kids through our cash transfer programmes.  

By giving cash to families who need help in emergencies, they have the choice to spend their money on what they need based on their own personal situations. Whether that be for food, housing, education, or other essential items.