Humanitarian Aid and Emergency Relief

Food crisis in Horn of Africa

The Horn of Africa is experiencing the worst food and child survival crisis in the world. Over 13 million people are in need, including more than 300,000 children who are so severely malnourished, they are unlikely to survive without a rapid response.

The risk of dying is 10 times higher for a child with severe malnutrition, which reduces a child's ability to fight deadly diseases. Thousands have already died.

The United Nations has declared famine in multiple regions of Somalia, and thousands of families are crossing the border into neighboring countries to escape starvation.

Leader in disaster relief

UNICEF was created after World War II to help children living in war–ravaged areas. And though its work has grown exponentially since then, UNICEF is still the leader when it comes to emergency and disaster relief efforts for children, providing both immediate and long–term necessities—food, water, shelter, protection and physical as well as mental health care.

UNICEF also works to reunite children with family and provides care for those who are orphaned. Each year, UNICEF aids children and families affected by hundreds of emergencies around the world.

In 2010, UNICEF responded to 290 humanitarian situations in 98 countries.

UNICEF Report: Children in more than 25 countries caught in emergencies

In the Humanitarian Action for Children report UNICEF has appealed for $1.28 billion to fund its 2012 humanitarian operations in more than 25 countries globally. While the crisis in the Horn of Africa accounts for nearly one-third of the total amount, the list of countries includes many long-standing or "silent" emergencies. The report also highlights the importance of unrestricted donations to be able to deliver lifesaving assistance during silent emergencies, prepare for natural disasters, and prevent humanitarian catastrophes from unfolding.

January 13, 2012

Two years after the earthquake, victories for Haiti’s children

Since the 2010 catastrophe, UNICEF has helped more than 750,000 children to return to school. Some 80,000 of these children now attend classes in 193 safe, earthquake-resistant schools constructed by UNICEF. In addition, with UNICEF support, over 120,000 children are enjoying structured play in 520 child-friendly spaces. More than 15,000 malnourished children have received life-saving care through 314 UNICEF-supported therapeutic feeding programmes.

January 11, 2012

Tens of thousands remain displaced in Philippines

The gymnasium and multi-purpose hall of Macasandig Village is normally a place of activity and entertainment. Today, it is crowded with people, but in place of laughter and applause, one finds ashen-faced mothers and children lying on mats beside uncollected piles of trash. Now one of the most crowded evacuation sites for families displaced by flooding, the center is being provided clean drinking water and sanitation supplies by UNICEF.