Waters continue to rise in Bangladesh, putting millions of children and their families in danger.

Heavy rain and flash flooding in northeastern Bangladesh have stranded 4 million people, including 1.6 million children. Currently more than 36,000 children and their families have taken refuge in overcrowded shelters. They are in urgent need of protection, essential services and treatment for deadly waterborne diseases. UNICEF is working closely with the Bangladeshi government and its global partners to provide safe water and health supplies as part of the immediate emergency response.

Read more about this ongoing crisis and UNICEF’s response here >>

Refugee children carry memories of home.

The week Maksym fled eastern Ukraine with his mother and brother he was supposed to play his first concert on the piano. His musical score was among the few precious things he could pack and take with him.

Every day, refugees and displaced children like Maksym are forced to make tough decisions about what they can bring on their journey and what they must leave behind. Some take photo albums. Others carry toys or items that once belonged to their loved ones.

Explore what children on the move take with them as they face uncertain journeys ahead >>

Children and families in the Horn of Africa are running out of options.

Four consecutive seasons of failed rains continue to devastate the lives of children living in Ethiopia, Kenya and Somalia, the region known as the Horn of Africa. It is estimated that in Somalia alone, 386,000 children are now in desperate need of treatment for severe acute malnutrition — the most deadly form of malnutrition. The rise of global food and fuel prices, due in part to the war in Ukraine, is further exacerbating an already devastating child food crisis. This is the alarm bell, and the world needs to commit to stopping this impending catastrophe.
UNICEF’s Deputy Regional Director for Eastern and Southern Africa, Rania Dagash, gave a press briefing at the Palais des Nations in Geneva. Read her statement here >>

Building a safe harbor for LGBTQ+ children.

It’s important to remember that LGBTQ+ children face increased rates of isolation, stigma, bullying and harassment, which can profoundly affect their mental health. Support from family members can play a pivotal and transformative role in the lives of LGBTQ+ children. Vandia Morarka, founder and CEO of One Future Collective, shares ways parents can build safe spaces for conversations about gender, orientation and identity.
Read Vandita Morarka’s blog post about how parents can support LGBTQ+ children >>