In emergencies, children are vulnerable
Violent conflict, famine and natural disasters affect millions of children each year, and UNICEF continues to be there to support them when the need is greatest.
Providing emergency assistance
All around the world, children are suffering because of disasters or conflict.
Quick Response
When an emergency strikes, our staff in the area react quickly. Emergency specialists evaluate the immediate need, focusing on children and mums, and UNICEF’s life-saving supplies are on hand and ready to be sent out all over the world. And following emergency relief efforts, we're committed to helping communities rebuild, and improving conditions for children.
We work alongside local and international partners, including governments, UN agencies and civil society. These partnerships help ensure the rights of children are protected during emergencies, the time they are most under threat.
Even when an emergency is no longer front page news, UNICEF will still be there, ensuring children are not left behind.
How we respond
In an emergency, UNICEF immediately responds to help the most vulnerable children as quickly as possible.
UNICEF is constantly ready to respond.
We have emergency supplies stored around the world, and train communities so that they know what to do when disaster strikes.
We also assist with early warning systems such as text-messaging alerts, evacuation drills and early warning systems.
In an emergency, response time is vital
Our emergency response teams are on the ground as soon as possible, delivering aid to families in the worst-affected areas.
In 2020 Tropical Cyclone Harold tore through the Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, Fiji, and Tonga. For our Pacific neighbours, climate emergencies are all too familiar but now with the COVID-19 pandemic, our response teams are now also having to follow strict guidelines to protect the Pacific Islands from COVID-19 outbreaks.
We help communities rebuild better and stronger
Getting things back to normal is a vital part of recovery, so we aim to get children back into education as soon as possible.
We also help with the rehabilitation of schools, and ensuring that as communities are rebuilt, they are better prepared for when the next disaster comes.
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UNICEF Aotearoa helps save and protect the world's most vulnerable children