UNICEF is launching a US$2.8 billion appeal to reach 43 million children in humanitarian emergencies, of which the largest portion, 25 per cent, targets educating children in emergencies.*
Every year, the lives of millions of children and their families are disrupted, upended or nearly destroyed by emergencies.
Conflict, human-made disasters and wide-ranging, climate-change events challenge the lives of many who are already vulnerable. In all of these situations, UNICEF is there.
This overview offers a clear picture of the many aspects of UNICEF’s global work in humanitarian situations.
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250 million children living in conflict
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30 million child refugees
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500 million children at high risk of flooding
Global requirements for UNICEF humanitarian programmes
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Grand total:
US$2.8 billion
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To assist:
76 million people
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In:
63 countries
UNICEF’s work in 2015
The number of children trapped in humanitarian crises around the world is both staggering and sobering. – Anthony Lake, UNICEF Executive Director
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Nutrition
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Health
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WASH
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Child protection
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Education
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69%
2 million children treated for severe malnutrition
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62%
11.3 million measles vaccinations
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94%
Safe water for 22.6 million people
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74%
Psychosocial support for 2 million children
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45%
Basic education for 4 million children
UNICEF’s targets for 2016
As the needs of children continue to grow, UNICEF’s work has to keep pace.
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Nutrition
2.9 million children to be treated for severe malnutrition
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Health
11.7 million measles vaccinations
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WASH
Safe water for 17.3 million people
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Child protection
Psychosocial support for 3 million children
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Education
Basic education for 8.2 million children
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Cash assistance
Cash support for 2.1 million people
Photo: UNICEF
Burundi
Children drawing at a shelter in Bujumbura. They’ve been sent there from conflict-affected neighbourhoods to find temporary refuge.
Photo: UNICEF
Myanmar
A mother and her child having their meal at the temporary shelter in San Myot monastery after flooding in Myanmar during continuing conflict and violence.
Photo: UNICEF
Nigeria
Aisha, a 13-year-old Boko Haram survivor, attends school in the Yola camp in north-eastern Nigeria.
Photo: UNICEF
South Sudan
In September 2015, UNICEF and WFP launched a Joint Nutrition Response Plan in South Sudan to assess the presence and severity of malnutrition.
Photo: UNICEF
Yemen
Humanitarian assistance in Yemen has helped Dareen, 3, to recover from severe malnutrition.
Children on the move
The Syrian conflict has triggered the world’s largest humanitarian crisis since World War II.
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Syrian Arab Republic
An estimated 13.5 million people need of urgent life-saving assistance inside the country, including 6 million children.
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Syrian refugee crisis
10.8 million Syrians have been internally displaced or become refugees, including more than 4.3 million Syrian refugees now living in Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon and Turkey.
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Refugees and migrants in Europe
In 2015, 1 million refugees and migrants entered Europe after arduous, often dangerous journeys. The proportion of children is growing.
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2016 Human Wrongs Watch
