UNICEF UK

“I miss my friends and teachers at school" says Tala, 10, standing with her siblings in front of their tent in a displacement camp in Gaza.

”I want to return home and sleep in my bed.”

Children in Gaza are living through an unprecedented crisis. A is needed now.

© UNICEF/UNI589840/UNI589839/El Baba

We're calling for the new Government to end the two-child limit policy and benefit cap immediately. 📣

These two policies have significantly contributed to the dramatic increase in child poverty and the number of families who are struggling across the country.

Sign our petition to demand the Government acts now to address the crisis facing so many families 👉 https://unicef.uk/SignEMMPetition2024

Right now, it can feel like it’s never been harder to raise a young family in the UK. The lack of quality childcare, soaring prices and mounting debt is impacting parents' mental health and placing children's futures at risk. And families on the lowest incomes are struggling the most.

Too many are not getting the vital support they need. So today, we’re launching the next phase of our campaign 📣

We are calling on the new Government to deliver a Baby and Toddler Guarantee – so that parents and carers can access the vital services and financial support to help them and their little ones now, and set them up for success in the future.

Children can't wait. Sign our petition 👉 https://unicef.uk/SignEMMPetition2024

What if schools across England closed their doors...

That is the situation in Sudan right now. Since the war escalated in April last year, most schools have closed, leaving children without education and safety.

We are working with partners to ensure millions of Sudanese children can access quality education and safely go back to school as soon as possible. The children of Sudan need a ceasefire now.

Sources:
School-aged children in England statistic [9.1m] - correct as of 9th July 2024 - http://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk
Children out of school in Sudan, [19m] - estimate correct as of 21st June 2024 - UNICEF

The war in Sudan is creating displacement, disease outbreaks and hunger - a dangerous combination of conditions which can lead to famine and a catastrophic loss of children’s lives.

Despite challenges, UNICEF is working with partners on the ground and so far has reached millions of children with life-sustaining assistance.

UNICEF calls for an immediate ceasefire to enable to delivery of life-saving supplies for children and families in affected areas.

At least 150 people have reportedly been killed or injured, and a children’s hospital severely damaged in Kyiv, during a wave of deadly missile strikes across the country.

Civilians, including children and the facilities and services they rely on, must always be protected.

UNICEF will continue to work across Ukraine, including in frontline areas, to respond to the immediate needs of children and families. This includes providing lifesaving services and supplies, and mental health and psychosocial support. UNICEF is already providing emergency supplies to Okhmatdyt Hospital and stands ready to assist communities affected by today’s attacks.

The war in Sudan has created a humanitarian catastrophe of epic proportions, threatening children's futures in Sudan and beyond.

UNICEF continues its mission to meet the needs, fulfill the rights, and stand with the children of Sudan. A ceasefire is needed now.

We are thrilled to announce Arlo Parks as our youngest UK ambassador 🙌

"A few weeks ago I travelled to Sierra Leone with UNICEF UK and met with five UNICEF Sierra Leone Youth Advocates – Ruth, Samesther, Michael, Yeanoh and Suliaman. Through their eyes and guidance, I learned about what it means to be a young person growing up in Sierra Leone – the joys, the beauty but also the challenges they face around child protection and climate change. UNICEF is working in Sierra Leone to support and empower these young people to overcome these challenges and enact real change in their communities.

That’s why I am so proud today to be announced as UNICEF UK’s youngest Ambassador. UNICEF works in nearly every country in the world to protect children – they provide crucial care in the direst emergencies and ensure children and young people are supported and uplifted. I can’t wait to spotlight the stories of the Youth Advocates I met in Sierra Leone and continue doing so much more with UNICEF." - Arlo

Photos: ©UNICEF/Leigh

The decisions the next UK Government make will have a profound impact on children's lives now and in their futures. Too often children's voices are missing from politics, and this general election campaign is no different.

Today Jonathan (14), Macey (16), Shafa (16) are posting letters to UK political leaders exercising their right to be heard 📨📣

Their letters highlight how commitments made by the political parties will impact children and young people in the UK and around the world, and what each party could do to further protect children's rights so that every child, no matter where they are born, has the chance to thrive.

…………………………………………

Jonathan, Macey and Shafa are part of our Youth Advisory Board; a group of eight young people from across the country who work together to make UNICEF UK effective in our mission to put children first. They help us make important decisions, raise awareness and act as a voice on Children’s rights 📣

Nearly 3k children are at risk of death as a result of malnutrition in . Hospitals are destroyed, treatments have stopped and supplies are scant.

UNICEF is ready to provide nutrition supplies, but safe humanitarian access, the immediate return of all hostages and a ceasefire are needed urgently.

The ongoing conflict in is pushing its people towards famine and a catastrophic loss of life.

Schools have been closed, leaving children without education and safety, and more than 4.6 million children have been forced to flee their homes. This is the same as half the number of school aged children in England right now.

Without urgent action, Sudan faces a generational catastrophe with far-reaching implications for the country and the wider region.

The children of Sudan need a now.

Sources:
School-aged children in England correct as of 11th June 2024 - gov.co.uk
Children displaced in and from Sudan, 4.6m, correct as of 11th June 2024- UNOCHA

Together we've raised more than £100 million since Soccer Aid for UNICEF began in 2006 🥳 A phenomenal amount of money that has done so much to support UNICEF's work and will continue to help us protect play for every child.