stories from the frontline

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The right choice of a syringe

The auto-disable (AD) syringes UNICEF will deliver to support COVID-19 vaccination have an additional mission: to help prevent the transmission of other infectious diseases.

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Transporting 1 billion syringes to the world

The word unprecedented will always be associated with 2020.

Our work overseas

UNICEF begins shipping syringes for the global rollout of COVID-19 vaccines under COVAX

100,000 syringes will arrive in Maldives, with more countries to receive imminent deliveries for rollout of COVAX Facili...

New Zealand’s child poverty stats grow faster than my potatoes

On Tuesday, 23 February, Stats NZ will release Aotearoa’s Child Poverty statistics for Year ended June 2020.

Our work overseas

Big Problems Need Big Solutions

We reached more than 760 million children with life-saving vaccines over the last 20 years, and helped prevent more than...

Chiefs lock Naitoa Ah Kuoi opens up on rugby and living a healthy lifestyle

“Initially, I wanted my kids to be sports stars, but at the end of the day, I just want them to be happy and healthy. If...

Media releases and reports

UNICEF NZ appoints leading-edge CEO

Leading children’s rights organisation selects Michelle Sharp as its new Chief Executive Officer.

Our work overseas

A firsthand account from the hours after Beirut's explosion

Jackeline Atwi's niece was missing. As she desperately tried to find her, hope was running low.

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Hunger Relief - Malnutrition

Hunger and malnutrition deprive children of essential nutrients, making them susceptible to severe versions of common si...

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Hunger Relief - Water Lilies

Nine-month-old Baby Chiengjiuk lives in Bentiu camp for displaced people in South Sudan.

Our work overseas

Hunger Relief - Grass

Nyabel Wal travelled for six days to look for food, only to come back empty-handed. With no other options, she’s been fo...

Media releases and reports

On World Children’s Day, UNICEF warns COVID-19 is causing irreversible harm to children

Children and adolescents account for 1 in 9 of reported COVID-19 infections, according to new analysis released by UNICE...

Our work overseas

5 Things You Should Know About Malnutrition

Childhood malnutrition affects more than 229 million kids worldwide. It's a triple threat which includes undernutrition,...

Our work overseas

Would you go this far to help children?

UNICEF Health Worker Paul Maesiala travels on a boat for three hours to reach children in remote Solomon Islands.

Our work overseas

Displacement leaves its traces on health and nutrition of children in Cabo Delgado

Mossa is the only father in the group. He has come today with his four children: “I wanted to give their mother a break ...

Media releases and reports

1 in 6 children lives in extreme poverty, World Bank-UNICEF analysis shows

The pre-COVID-19 analysis reveals that 356 million children struggle to survive on less than $1.90 a day, two-thirds of ...

Our work overseas

Former refugee Robel Teklay knows what it means to be hungry

Robel talks to UNICEF NZ about growing up with precious little food in Sudan and his journey to New Zealand

Our work overseas

What families eat for breakfast around the world.

Some breakfasts are hot, some are cold. Here’s what breakfast looks like for children in 10 countries around the world.

Our work overseas

How little Adut beat malnutrition

From not being able to stand by herself, to walking again on her own - this is Adut's 8 week journey to recovery.

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It is an ambitious goal – to end global hunger by 2030

Are we on track?

Media releases and reports

Fragile gains to health of women and children threatened

Gains made to advance women and children’s health are threatened by conflict, the climate crisis and COVID-19.

Media releases and reports

Kiwi Entrepreneur Commits to Help End Racism and Discrimination in Schools.

Young Entrepreneur Sharndre Kushor celebrates her 26th birthday with the launch of a foundation and a partnership with U...

'I want all kids to be free of racism'

Kiwi musician Paige Tapara is a singer-songwriter. She spoke to UNICEF NZ about racism, growing up feeling disconnected ...

Vivien Maidaborn steps down as Executive Director of UNICEF Aotearoa NZ

Vivien Maidaborn is stepping down from her role after more than six years.

New Report Card shows that New Zealand is failing its children

Report Card gives New Zealand an F for failure when it comes to wellbeing outcomes for children.

Media releases and reports

How do we help the most vulnerable children from failing in our education system?

COVID-19 has significantly increased education disparity amongst New Zealand's low-income families and those that enjoy ...

Our work overseas

How do you deliver vaccines during a pandemic?

Vivien Maidaborn is used to fielding unusual questions. But this was a question even she hadn’t heard before.

Our work overseas

Six ways UNICEF is helping children after the explosions in Beirut

Here's what we're doing to help children in Beirut.

Our work overseas

"What a time to deliver a baby!"

On the day Khalid held his oldest daughter for the first time, there was an explosion close to the hospital where she wa...

Our work overseas

Concern for wellbeing of children following explosions in Beirut

UNICEF concerned children among the casualties after massive explosion in Beirut.

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Breastfeeding during coronavirus

An interview with nutrition expert at UNICEF South Asia

Our work overseas

Inside one of Yemen's few operational hospitals

Only half of Yemen's health centres are functional. We went inside one of the main hospitals in Sana'a.

Our work overseas

One Love single featuring Māori singer released worldwide

Māori soul singer TEEKS features on new version of One Love launched by members of the Marley family.

Our work overseas

Yemen's children 'want peace'

Aussie aid worker Harriet Dwyer wants to remind people that Yemeni children can truly flourish with the right support.

Our work overseas

UNICEF New Zealand and Bybit launch partnership

An innovative partnership to help children in greatest need

Parents of newborns get four more weeks of paid parental leave

Kiwi parents can now spend a full six months at home with their precious pēpi (baby).

Our work overseas

Samoa better prepared for Covid-19 after measles outbreak

Reflections six months after the measles outbreak that killed 83 people.

UNICEF's Childhood Challenge

The Childhood Challenge is simple: pull out that old photo album and reminisce about your favourite childhood memories. ...

Our work overseas

Kane Williamson goes to bat for clean water and soap

"We can make a huge difference to people's lives by giving them access clean water and soap."

Our work overseas

COVID-19: A double emergency

COVID-19 is bringing a new threat to already battered countries – and makes delivering life-saving assistance even harde...

Media releases and reports

Highly regarded Māori  advocate joins UNICEF NZ

UNICEF New Zealand today welcomes Brandi Hudson to the role of Deputy Executive Director – Child Rights.

Our work overseas

Global leaders come together to raise $13.6b for vaccines

Enough money to immunise 300 million children.

Our work overseas

Millions of children at risk as Covid-19 impacts nutrition, education and vaccines

Covid-19 has impacted access to vaccines, education, and exacerbated issues around food shortages.

Our work overseas

Hand washing around the world

The simple act of hand washing is the best protection we have against Covid-19.

COVID-19: Number of children living in household poverty set to soar

New analysis from Save the Children and UNICEF reveals that without urgent action, the number of children living in poor...

Our work overseas

Yemeni children face fighting a virus in a war zone

After more than five years of conflict, families in Yemen now face the threat of a deadly pandemic without even the most...

Our work overseas

Protecting Pacific Kids from Covid-19

As Covid-19 spreads around the world, communities in the Pacific are desperately preparing to respond to the imminent th...

Our work overseas

Snaps of Covid-19 lockdown life with children from around the world

Photographers in countries around the world are at home with their families – these are their photos.

Our work overseas

Through pandemics and epidemics, UNICEF has been there (and will be there)

For more than 70 years, we have been working to improve the lives of children and their families.

Our work overseas

The difference soap and water can make in a refugee camp

As Covid-19 spreads around the world, water and soap are more important than ever before. But what if you didn’t have ac...

Youth Week: What is the value of education?

A reflection on the value of education in the wake of Covid-19.

Our work overseas

New Zealand commits $5m to UNICEF to support Indonesia’s Covid-19 response

NZ govt pledges $5 million to protect Indonesia against Covid-19.

Our work overseas

Child mortality rate set to increase for first time in decades without urgent action

The COVID-19 pandemic is fast becoming a lasting crisis for children.

Media releases and reports

Children are the unseen victims of COVID-19

UNICEF appeals for NZD $2.6 billion to meet the growing needs of children impacted by COVID-19.

Gemma McCaw wants all Kiwi mums to know they’re not alone

Gemma McCaw speaks to UNICEF NZ about the joys of motherhood and why looking out for others is so important during the C...

Our work overseas

Pregnant mothers and babies born during Covid-19 pandemic under threat

With 116 million expected births in the approximately 9 months since the Covid pandemic was recognised, UNICEF calls on ...

Our work overseas

Six inspirational stories about mothers around the world

As COVID-19 continues to turn our lives upside down, Mother’s Day will look a little different.

Our work overseas

Vaccines and the diseases they prevent

Find out more about the most commonly recommended vaccines.

Our work overseas

A day in the life of a vaccinator in Mali

Going the distance to reach every child, no matter where they live.

Our work overseas

The lengths to which health workers go to reach every child with vaccines

Vaccines can prevent disease outbreaks now and in the future.

Kiwi Mum encourages parents to ask for help amidst Covid-19 crisis

As the Covid-19 crisis pushes families to the brink, Kiwi Mum Malaina Tuafa says now is not the time to worry about putt...

Our work overseas

Routine vaccinations must continue – UNICEF

As COVID-19 has continued to spread globally, more than 117 million children in 37 countries may miss out on receiving t...

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World Immunisation Week 2020

Find out how vaccines keep your child and community safe.

Our work overseas

In the race to fight against Covid-19, UNICEF's supply chains are working 24/7

The Covid-19 pandemic is having an unprecedented impact on global supply chains. UNICEF is developing innovative solutio...

A Kiwi mum explains the importance of food parcels

Maya Vai Bourne has a massive heart – she supports her husband Anthony who is on dialysis for ten hours a day as well as...

Our work overseas

Pacific islands face two crises at once

Not only must the region protect its people from the deadly coronavirus pandemic, it has to also recover from a second w...

Media releases and reports

UNICEF NZ and The Salvation Army partner to reach families in response to Covid-19

For the first time ever, UNICEF New Zealand is fundraising to support Kiwi children and families impacted by Covid-19.

Our work overseas

What will COVID-19 mean for the Pacific?

"It's even more important that we continue to support children in these communities."

Our work overseas

How children around the world are adapting to life under COVID-19

Children and parents around the world are making a new normal

How teenagers can protect their mental health during COVID-19

Six strategies for teens facing a new (temporary) normal.

What children want to know about coronavirus

Straight from the playground - here are the tough questions kiwi kids want answered about Covid-19.

What can you do? Be part of the solution!

Our work overseas

Covid-19 is devastating Italy

But rainbows offer a ray of hope all over the country. “Andrà tutto bene"

Our work overseas

Almost 5 million children born into war in Syria

As the conflict enters its 10th year, millions of children are entering their second decade of life surrounded by war, v...

Our work overseas

Hitching a ride aboard a flying, lifesaving vaccine delivery

UNICEF Pacific Chief of Comms Cate Heinrich flew aboard a lifesaving vaccine delivery to Samoa last November.

Media releases and reports

Two highly experienced business leaders join UNICEF NZ’s board

Rachel Petero and Carmen Vicelich

Coronavirus: What parents need to know

How to protect yourself and your children.

Our work overseas

“Covid-19 is clearly not a virus that anybody in the world will have immunity to.”

Doctor Nikki Turner

Media releases and reports

Deadly measles and coronavirus outbreaks are on the rise. But where is the outrage for pneumonia?

Boosting efforts to fight pneumonia could avert nearly 9 million child deaths from pneumonia and other major diseases, a...

Our work overseas

In photos: how vaccines reach the most remote places on earth

No child too far.

Our work overseas

A Syrian family's journey to the safety of New Zealand

Four years ago, Ramia Saidawi left Syria, with her husband and two girls, for a life of safety in New Zealand

A healthy home for every child

NZ is in the middle of a housing crisis with many sides - cost, quality and availability among them. But every child has...

Our work overseas

A Kiwi view of the world's largest refugee camp

My bags and I are heading to Cox's Bazar in Bangladesh - the largest refugee settlement in the world

Our work overseas

A long walk and a longer wait

Three-year-old Nur has been vomiting for three days, with severe diarrhoea, and now his father watches him, wondering if...

Our work overseas

A celebration of change in tropical Kiribati

Of every 1000 children under five in Kiribati, 47 will die, often from entirely preventable causes. But that's changing.

Our work overseas

A family's journey from Syria to Libya

Eight-year-old Bassam and his family have been running from war for five years, only to have it chase them every step of...

Our work overseas

Unicef Heroes: Fighting Sickness With Donkey Power

An unusual ally has been enlisted in the fight against polio in the war-torn mountains of Yemen: Donkeys

Media releases and reports

UNICEF statement on the adoption of the Global Compact for Migration.

Statement from UNICEF Director of Data, Research and Policy Laurence Chandy

Our work overseas

Vaccines are a lifesaver in NZ and the world

New Zealand still isn’t immune from outbreaks of disease, and a lack of vaccination can still be a death sentence for ki...

Our work overseas

Violence And Displacement Stalk Children In Raqqa

As violence escalates in the Syrian region of Raqqa, families have been fleeing their homes to poorly equipped temporary...

What Drives An Award-winning Athlete?

When 19-year-old, award-winning shot putter Nathaniel is not training, he's helping out Kiwi kids as a teacher aide at a...

"Why Is It Mainly Maori Who Are Homeless?"

19 year old Lyric Brooklyn has spent time living on the streets since his early teens. He talks about the challenges of ...

Our work overseas

"We can't run from the war and then die from the cold"

Syrian children have been fighting to survive war, hunger, poverty and disease. But now they are fighting to survive the...

Our work overseas

Why We Won't Stop Fighting For Children

Every day we see the very worst of what people can do to one another, and the very worst conditions that people are forc...

Our work overseas

Winter In Syria: A Mother's Worst Nightmare

Iman fled the war in Syria with her four children, but just when she thought they were safe – they faced a threat they c...

Our work overseas

Watch: Two generations of refugee children. One emotional childhood

Meet Ahmed and Harry.

Our work overseas

A Week Following Children On The Move

Marie-Pierre Poirier recently travelled the migrant route through the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Serbia and ...

Our work overseas

As fighting takes place down the road, families return to rural Syria

Some Syrian families are attempting to live in relative normality, as fighting takes place down the road

New Zealand is Watching

We urgently need your help in petitioning the NZ Govt to support survivors of the Syrian war.

Media releases and reports

World first: child in Vanuatu receives the first ever drone-delivered vaccine

Drone technology is proving a game changer when it comes to immunising the world's hardest-to-reach children

featured stories

Our work overseas

Big Problems Need Big Solutions

Media releases and reports

1 in 6 children lives in extreme poverty, World Bank-UNICEF analysis shows

Our work overseas

Former refugee Robel Teklay knows what it means to be hungry

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Our work overseas

Media releases and reports