UNICEF Emergency Response

Dear Friend, 

Thanks to your support, UNICEF and partners were able to support children and families affected by the nutrition crisis in Africa and the Middle East. Your partnership has helped provide critical support to the most vulnerable children, which includes treatment for approximately 1.4 million children suffering from severe acute malnutrition. 

Below is an overview of UNICEF’s response in the four countries worst affected:

Yemen
In Yemen, more than 1,000 days since the conflict escalated, the country is in the grips of the world’s worst humanitarian crisis, with restrictions on fuel and food imports further complicating emergency response. The restrictions add to the misery of children in Yemen who already face the triple threat of diseases, malnutrition and violence. In 2017, more than 204,031 children with life threatening severe acute malnutrition were admitted for treatment in UNICEF supported programs.

South Sudan
Nutrition and food security remain critical challenges across South Sudan. UNICEF works in South Sudan with over 112 partners to provide nutrition, health, WASH, education and child protection services, with priority to lifesaving interventions for the population most affected by the humanitarian crisis. Over 276,000 children under five are at risk of death and irreversible damage without access to critical nutrition. In 2017, UNICEF delivered assistance to 2.3 million people, including 2.1 children. UNICEF treated more than 160,000 children for severe acute malnutrition.

Somalia
Conflict, insecurity, drought and famine have defined Somalia throughout more than two decades. Currently, about a third of the population is still in crisis and in need of immediate food security and livelihood assistance. In 2017, more than 226,137 children with life threatening severe acute malnutrition were admitted for treatment in UNICEF supported programs.

NE Nigeria
UNICEF continues to scale up delivery and quality of the humanitarian response to affected populations in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa states in coordination with the Government, other United Nations agencies, and non-governmental organizations. UNICEF is targeting the most vulnerable populations. In 2017, more than 189,242 children were treated for severe acute malnutrition.

Your support not only helped avert the loss of many lives early on in this crisis, but is also supporting UNICEF’s sustained response, as alarming levels of food insecurity continue to threaten children’s lives.

On behalf of the children affected by this crisis, thank you.

Dear Friend,

We know as a UNICEF Emergency Response supporter you are concerned about the current Rohingya Refugee Crisis in Bangladesh. We would like to take a moment to update you on the crisis and how UNICEF is responding. In addtion, we will continue to post updates so you can are aware of how the crisis is changing, the on-going responses, and impact on children's lives. If you are able, please consider making an extra donation to help support our on-going emergency responding during this time.

Rohingya Refugee Crisis

A total of 1.2 million Rohingya people have been affected by the crisis in Myanmar, which includes over 650,000 Rohingya refugees arriving in Bangladesh since August 25. The sheer number of refugees has overwhelmed pre-existing refugee camps, with new arrivals seeking shelter anywhere they can find space.

A total of 720,000 children – both from new arrivals in Bangladesh, existing Rohingyas and those in vulnerable host communities – are in need of urgent humanitarian assistance, which includes critical life-saving interventions.

While most Rohingya refugees arrive on foot, mostly walking through the jungle and mountains for several days, thousands are braving long and risky voyages across the rough sea of the Bay of Bengal. They wait on the Myanmar border to take fishing boats to Teknaf in Bangladesh. The refugees arrive in Bangladesh in poor condition, exhausted, hungry and desperate for shelter.

Many refugees crossing over to Bangladesh are children, mothers and the elderly. Some children were sent ahead of their parents who are still in Myanmar. Other times, they are with relatives because their parents are nowhere to be found. 

There are acute shortages of everything, most critically, shelter, food and clean water. Conditions on the ground place children at high risk of water-borne diseases. Children and adolescents, especially girls, are vulnerable to trafficking as different child trafficking groups are active in the region.

The needs continue to grow as the influx of Rohingya refugees increase. With its universal mandate to ensure the fundamental survival, protection and well-being of children, UNICEF is supporting the most vulnerable children and their families in the midst of this crisis. UNICEF anticipates the greatest needs being in WASH (water, sanitation and hygiene), child protection, nutrition, education and health. Below is an overview of UNICEF’s response for the most vulnerable Rohingya refugee children and their families. 

UNICEF was supporting the Rohingya refugees before the crisis in August, will continue to do so during, and after the emergency. Your support helps us continue this life-saving work. 

Thank you!