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New Zealand humanitarian organisations unanimously urge political leaders to intensify efforts for peace in Gaza at Christmas time
As parliament adjourns and New Zealand “shuts down” for the holidays, the New Zealand humanitarian community is issuing an urgent plea to our political leaders: do not forget the children of Gaza at Christmas time...
Gaza: The World’s Most Dangerous Place to be a Child
Over the past 48 hours, the largest remaining fully functioning hospital was shelled, twice. That hospital – Al Nasser in Khan Yunis – not only shelters large numbers of children who had already been badly injured in attacks on their homes, but hundreds of women and children seeking safety...
Escalation of attacks on infrastructure leaves Ukraine’s children without sustained access to water and heating
“Yet again, as winter continues to take hold, we are witnessing an escalation of attacks on infrastructure across Ukraine, with particularly unrelenting bombardment in the east and south of the country..."
Tens of thousands of Sudanese children on the brink of death before the year ends
Sudan is already facing one of the largest learning crises in the world, with more than seven million children out of school, and 12 million waiting for the schools to re-open
Tick for Kids’ scorecards reveal political parties’ commitments to children this election
Scorecards released today by Tick for Kids provide voters with important insights into how the country’s major political parties plan to prioritise children in their policy promises this election year.
A visit to Parliament
The UNICEF Aotearoa Young Ambassadors visited Parliament to strengthen their advocacy skills and meet with some of the nation’s decision-makers.
Nearly 300,000 children affected in Libya after Storm Daniel
Nearly 300,000 children are estimated to have been exposed to the powerful Storm Daniel across eastern Libya and a growing number of children and families are in desperate need of humanitarian assistance, following significant damage to numerous homes, hospitals, schools, and other essential infrastructure.
Steps the Government needs to take to ensure children and young people are at the heart of its decision making
UNICEF Aotearoa has released key priorities outlining how the elected Government can meaningfully place the rights and wellbeing of children and young people at the centre of their decision making.
At least 100,000 children affected by Morocco earthquake
Initial reports indicate that approximately 100,000 children have been impacted by the powerful earthquake that struck Morocco late on Friday night - the strongest seismic event to hit the Kingdom since 1960.
Eligible to Vote in the 2023 General Elections? Why Your Vote Matters and Deciding How to Use It
Wanting to know where each of Aotearoa's larger political parties stand on the issues important to rangatahi youth and tamariki? We've got you covered...
Building back better after emergency strikes
A year after a devastating earthquake in Afghanistan, UNICEF continues to deliver long-term solutions for children and their communities.
100 days after Türkiye and Syria earthquakes
100 days after the deadliest earthquakes in Türkiye and Syria's recent history, 2.5 million children in Türkiye and 3.7 million in Syria are in need of continued humanitarian assistance.
Sudan: a dire humanitarian situation for children, warn UNICEF, Save the Children & World Vision
As violence in Sudan continues, UNICEF, World Vision and Save the Children are highlighting the danger to children if ceasefire is not respected by all parties.
18 million doses of first-ever malaria vaccine allocated to 12 African countries for 2023–2025
Twelve countries across Africa will receive 18 million doses of the first-ever malaria vaccine. This is a critical step in the fight against a leading cause of death in Africa.
UNICEF Aotearoa response to Budget 2023
As advocates for the rights of every child, UNICEF Aotearoa is heartened to see children feature prominently in Budget 2023.
5 Things You Should Know About Malnutrition
Childhood malnutrition affects more than 229 million kids worldwide. It's a triple threat which includes undernutrition, hidden hunger and overnutrition.
“When the water truck arrives...”
Join us on the road with UNICEF as we bring water to drought-afflicted villages in Afghanistan’s Southern Region.
The events of the night are still haunting them today.
To help children in Tonga deal with their trauma, we're reaching them with psycho-social support.
Two months on from Türkiye earthquakes enormous challenges remain for 2.5 million children
Challenges remain for 2.5 million kids in Türkiye and Syria 2 months on from the catastrophic earthquakes.
War in Ukraine pushes generation of children to the brink
Children have been killed and injured, and many have lost parents and siblings, their homes, schools and playgrounds. No child should ever have to bear that kind of suffering.
Planting seeds to thrive
In Eastern Zambia, women spend their day planting and harvesting crops. It’s hard work—but the smiles on their faces are because they have food to feed their families.
Creating impact together
Businesses and foundations have a vital role to play in tackling global challenges such as climate change, poverty and inequality, creating a safer and sustainable world for children.
Girls increasingly at risk of child marriage in Afghanistan
UNICEF is working with partners in Afghanistan to raise awareness of the risks for girls if they are married early.
Hope when kids and families in Türkiye & Syria need it most
When the earthquake struck, UNICEF teams on the ground jumped into action. We’ve been working with local partners to respond to the evolving needs of thousands of kids and families impacted.
When UNICEF and governments come together
UNICEF Aotearoa’s 5 year Negotiated Partnership with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT) will make a difference to the lives of children in 5 countries within the Pacific, including Papua New Guinea.
Depriving girls of secondary education translates to a loss of at least US$500 million for Afghan economy in last 12 months
New analysis by UNICEF has found that depriving girls in Afghanistan of their right to secondary education will have a devastating effect on the country’s economy.
Sudan: spike in violence against women and girls
Senior United Nations officials voiced condemnation at reports of gender-based violence in Sudan – including sexual violence against internally displaced and refugee women and girls.
UNICEF Aotearoa Ambassador Dan Carter's trip to Vanuatu
In Pentecost Island, Vanuatu, Carter visited school children where he learnt about the WASH in Schools programme that is improving the water and sanitation facilities and educating students on hygiene practices.
Syrian crisis
After 10 years of conflict, the situation for many children across Syria has never been worse with continuing violence and rights violations, food insecurity and a tumbling economy.
Ever heard of RUTF?
RUTF is an abbreviation for Ready to Use Therapeutic Food, used to treat malnutrition in children- specifically ‘wasting’. That’s the term used to identify the worst state of malnutrition in kids.
Te Hiringa Tamariki: A wellbeing model for tamariki Māori
Te Hiringa Tamariki is UNICEF New Zealand’s tamariki Māori wellbeing model, developed during 2018/2019 with the assistance of 600 Māori who attended hui in Hastings, Wellington and Auckland.
90 per cent of adolescent girls and young women in low-income countries are offline
Around 90 per cent of adolescent girls do not use the internet in low-income countries, while their male peers are twice as likely to be online.
UNICEF Aotearoa launches #CookForUkraineNZ
The launch of #CookForUkraineNZ is part of a global movement increasing awareness of the impacts of war on children living in Ukraine and highlights the urgency for international support.
Innocenti Report Card 17
The world’s richest countries are providing healthier environments for children within their borders while contributing to the destruction of the global environment.
Girls in Afghanistan: One year on
In August 2021, the Taliban regained power in Afghanistan. The takeover has crippled social services, such as health and education. Girl's grade 7-12 have been banned from continuing their education.
Māori youth contribute to a new definition of wellbeing
Te Hiringa Tamariki explores wellbeing across four domains: Atua (religion and spirituality), Pakanga (connections, especially amongst whānau), Te Ao (navigating two cultures) and Ihi (arts, literature, culture and sport).
Everyday essentials for families in Ukraine
Mykolaiv in South Ukraine is paying a price for months of devastating war. Millions of kids and families there are without safe drinking water and accessible food due to bombed infrastructure.
Women and girls bear brunt of water and sanitation crisis- new report
Women and girls are responsible for fetching water in 7 out of 10 households, according to first in-depth analysis of gender inequalities in drinking water, sanitation, and hygiene in households.
It's an ambitious goal to end world hunger by 2030
3 billion people globally cannot afford a healthy diet. We're not on track to achieve Zero Hunger by 2030. Over the last five years the number of people who suffer from hunger continues to increase.
‘Our voices must be heard’
In the lead up to the general election, our Young Ambassadors will highlight the issues that matter the most to rangatahi in Aotearoa, including climate change, mental health and poverty.
Rising above the waters and restoring hope
After an explosion destroyed the Kakhovka Dam, many towns flooded, leaving thousands displaced. Over 1,300 people fled Kherson immediately, with another 16,000 needing urgent help in the disaster zone.
The ‘packed meal’ that helped AlBatoul recover from malnutrition
During the conflict in Sudan, UNICEF and partners have delivered truckloads of health and nutrition supplies to support the growing number of displaced communities.
How to prevent and respond to grave violations against children in armed conflict
This year’s report from the Secretary-General includes the highest number of grave violations verified by the United Nations at over 27,000 and the highest number of situations of concern at 26.
Life-saving vaccines for the Pacific
UNICEF has partnered with Rotary on the ‘Give Every Child a Future’ programme. This means 300,000 vaccine doses will be delivered to children on more than 330 islands over the next three years!
UNICEF supporting public school teachers in Afghanistan
To ensure all school-age girls and boys in Afghanistan go to school, UNICEF and partners are providing cash support to all public education teachers for the months of January and February.
UNICEF calls for investment in world’s first child-focused climate risk financing solution
UNICEF is launching a climate financing initiative to enhance countries’ climate resilience and disaster preparedness for children and bolster protection for kids from the impacts of future climate-related disasters.
UNICEF and Rotary: protecting 100,000 Pacific Island children from life-threatening illnesses.
A Rotary and UNICEF immunisation program will protect up to 100,000 children in nine Pacific countries from potentially deadly illnesses including Rotavirus, Pneumococcal disease and Human Papillomavirus.
UNICEF Annual Report 2022
For over 75 years, UNICEF has protected children and upheld their rights. In the first year of our 2022-2025 Strategic Plan, we focused on a longer-term vision, emphasising systemic change.
Making an impact during a tough year for kids in Afghanistan
Afghanistan is one of the toughest places for a child to live. This was made worse in 2022 when the country was hit by earthquakes, disease outbreaks, and flash floods.
UNICEF Aotearoa statement on Cyclone Gabrielle
UNICEF Aotearoa extends our condolences to the communities impacted by the cyclone, and commend the efforts from government, civil society organisations, whānau, hapū and iwi for supporting those most affected.
Water from above
Supported by the European Union and implemented by UNICEF, we’ve brought safe water to over 10,000 people using gravity-fed systems to transport water from the source to the community!
Children and families affected by the earthquakes in Türkiye and Syria
A powerful earthquake destroyed infrastructure and displaced families, exposing them to the elements. Current temperatures dip below 0ºC. Communities are grappling with an ongoing cholera outbreak and snow.
New global alliance launched to end AIDS in children by 2030
The new Global Alliance for Ending AIDS in Children by 2030 was announced at the International AIDS Conference. The alliance will run until 2030, aiming to fix glaring disparities in the AIDS response.
Getting warmth where it’s needed most
After living through shelling, power outages, and freezing temperatures, new generators from UNICEF have changed the lives of Ukrainian children.
War has come to my house
On February 24th, 2022, Tetyana was woken by a phone call warning her that Russian attacks had escalated in Ukraine. By the third day, 80 Russian tanks had surrounded their neighbourhood.
Declining confidence in childhood vaccines during the COVID-19 pandemic
Latest UNICEF report shows 67 million children missed out on one or more vaccinations over the three years of the COVID-19 pandemic.
We cannot abandon the children of Afghanistan in their time of need
In the past weeks, with increased conflict and insecurity, it is children, those least responsible for the crisis in Afghanistan, who have paid the heaviest price.
UNICEF Aotearoa and NZ Government partner to ensure children have the best start in life
UNICEF Aotearoa and the New Zealand Government unite to give children in the Pacific the best start to life. The partnership will ensure more children across the Pacific attend school.
Busting the myths on cash transfers
By giving cash to families who need help in emergencies, they have the choice to spend their money on what they need, whether that be for food, housing or education.
No Wi-Fi? No Worries!
The Learning Passport is a digital learning platform that gives young kids app or browser-based school classes without always having to be connected to the internet.
Getting School Ready In Timor-Leste
UNICEF Aotearoa in partnership with MFAT has been working in Timor-Leste since 2008 to improve health, sanitation, and education outcomes. We're strengthening early education to prepare kids for school.
A history of hope
Over the last 200 years, vaccines have built up a pretty astounding resume. In that short amount of time, they’ve helped us ward off some of the world’s most devastating diseases.
Horrifying numbers of children killed & injured in Sudan
In reports UNICEF has received from the start of the fighting until 25 April 2023, 190 children have been killed in Sudan. Unconfirmed reports state a further 1700 have been injured.
The courage of children in Ukraine one year on
For over a year, the lives of children in Ukraine have been turned upside down. Children have lost loved ones, suffered horrific injuries, hid in shelters, missed school, and fled their homes.
Sudan violence forces at least 450,000 children to flee their homes
UNICEF is providing support for children affected by the ongoing conflict in Sudan. An estimated 82,000 children have fled to neighbouring countries and approximately 368,000 more are newly displaced.
Sudan conflict: 13.6 million children desperately need humanitarian aid
As the conflict in Sudan continues, over 13.6 million children need lifesaving support. Ongoing violence threatens the futures of children, leaving basic services cut off and health facilities closed or destroyed.
Another Bitter Blow for Children in Sudan
The factory in Sudan which produces Ready to Use Therapeutic Food in Sudan has been burnt down, destroying 14,500 cartons of RUTF set to be transported for the life-saving treatment of 14,500 children.
Growing up in conflict
12 years of war in Syria has scarred a generation of children. UNICEF and partners have provided lifesaving healthcare, mental health support and safe spaces to continue education and humanitarian assistance.
New report reveals harrowing scale of child protection crisis in the Pacific
A sobering new report details for the first time the shocking levels of physical, emotional and sexual violence, as well as neglect, faced by children living in the Pacific and Timor-Leste.
122 million more people pushed into hunger
Over 122 million more people are facing hunger in the world due to the pandemic and repeated weather shocks and conflicts according to latest reports.
Hidden explosives
Sadly, children account for around half of the casualties from explosive weapons like shelling or unexploded ordinance (UXO) like landmines left as remnants of war.
Cooking as an act of love and resistance
UNICEF Aotearoa’s #CookForUkraineNZ campaign is an initiative to show support for New Zealand’s Ukrainian community as well as to support our emergency relief for the children in Ukraine.
“The Big Catch-up”
With over 25 million children missing at least one vaccination in 2021 alone, outbreaks of preventable diseases are already becoming more prevalent and severe.
Me Mōhio Ō Mōtika, Know your Rights!
This is a free downloadable poster in te reo Māori that will help tamariki know what their rights are. It can also be used by whānau across Aotearoa to spread awareness.
This Peanut Paste Has Changed The World
It’s not your ordinary peanut butter from the supermarket. It’s called Plumpy’nut®, also known as Ready-to-Use Therapeutic Food. What's inside this plastic packet has brought millions of kids back from the brink.
UNICEF NZ appoints leading-edge CEO
Leading children’s rights organisation selects Michelle Sharp as its new Chief Executive Officer. Michelle’s appointment will be instrumental in accelerating the growth of UNICEF NZ and realising the rights of every child!
Dan Carter appointed as UNICEF Aotearoa New Zealand Ambassador
UNICEF Aotearoa New Zealand welcomes Dan Carter as an official Ambassador. In this role, Dan will continue to promote children’s rights in Aotearoa, the Pacific and around the world.
Karl Urban appointed as new UNICEF Aotearoa New Zealand Ambassador
UNICEF Aotearoa New Zealand has welcomed actor Karl Urban as an official Ambassador to support in raising awareness on children’s rights both in New Zealand and around the world.
Kickathon event
Dan Carter completed his challenge of kicking goals for 24 hours and raised more than NZ $500,000 in public donations, helping UNICEF provide water, sanitation and hygiene to children in the Pacific.
Leaders of the next generation
Young leaders from Aotearoa and around the globe are on the frontlines of change advocating for the future they want to see for the young people of today and the next generation.
Poor mental health in children and young people cannot be ignored
Economies will lose an estimated NZD$560 billion annually due to mental disorders among young people, according to new analysis. 1 in 7 adolescents aged 10–19 is estimated to live with a mental disorder.
New Report Card shows that New Zealand is failing its children
UNICEF Aotearoa is calling for significant investment to address terrifying childhood trends around obesity, suicide, as well as declining proficiency in reading and maths, following the release of UNICEF’s Report Card.
Two drops is all it takes to protect a child from polio
With only one case of poliovirus reported in 2021, Afghanistan has an extraordinary opportunity to eradicate polio. The recent vaccination campaign is crucial for preventing resurgence of polio within the country.
What supporters should know about their donations
We want Kiwis to be informed about donating. What makes the biggest impact for children - giving a small gift each month, or a large single donation?
"Why Is It Mainly Maori Who Are Homeless?"
9 year old Lyric Brooklyn has spent time living on the streets since his early teens. He talks about the challenges of being young and homeless in Wellington.
Mental health – it’s time to change the narrative
UNICEF have released a global report on mental health in children and young people. It's time to break the silence surrounding mental illness.
Six inspirational stories about mothers around the world
Be inspired by these short stories about mothers who do everything they can to keep their children safe, healthy and happy.
Clarke Gayford: "The best gift you can give a child is time."
Clarke Gayford, Television Personality and Fiancé of New Zealand's Prime Minister, Jacinda Ardern, is standing with UNICEF to stress the importance of parents spending time with their children.
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 COVID-19 crisis.