UNICEF Emergency Response

Children are at the epicentre of today’s global emergencies. Nearly 250 million children live in countries affected by conflict and millions more face risks from natural hazards and fast spreading epidemics. Before, during and after an emergency, UNICEF is on the ground delivering life-saving assistance to children and their families. UNICEF’s Humanitarian Action for Children highlights the situation of children living in the most challenging circumstances, outlines the support required to help them survive and thrive, and shows the results UNICEF and its partners have achieved and are working towards.

Every year, the lives of millions of children and their families are disrupted, upended or nearly destroyed by emergencies. Conflict, human-made disasters and wide-ranging, climate-change events challenge the lives of many who are already vulnerable. In all of these situations, UNICEF is there. This overview offers a clear picture of the many aspects of UNICEF's global work in humanitarian situations.

In 2015, UNICEF responded in the following ways:

• 2 million children treated for severe malnutrition
• 11.3 million measles vaccinations
• Safe water for 22.6 million people
• Psychosocial support for 2 million children
• Basic education for 4 million children

UNICEF Executive Director Anthony Lake has noted that "the number of children trapped in humanitarian crises around the world is both staggering and sobering."  Humanitarian action is at the core of UNICEF’s work, encompassing effective preparedness, early response and recovery to save lives and protect child rights.

A more in-depth report can be accessed at http://www2.unicef.org:60090/appeals/index.html shows some of our joint efforts and the results achieved in 2015 for children in need of humanitarian assistance, and what we will be working towards in 2016.

Links:

• 2016 - Emergency Appeal - Online Feature

• Official Humanitarian Action For Children (PDF) (PDF)