Airstrikes have crippled Gaza's health system. Help UNICEF provide URGENT SUPPORT.
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Children in Emergencies

Children are being buried before they have a chance to live

The unfolding situation in Gaza is beyond catastrophic. Since the violence escalated in October 2023, tens of thousands have been killed and injured. During May 2025, in just two days alone, at least 45 children were reportedly killed – having to starve day after day, only to be victims of indiscriminate attacks. 

For 11 weeks, lifesaving humanitarian aid was blocked from entering Gaza – a complete violation of international humanitarian law. During this time, hunger and malnutrition intensified sharply, reversing the clear humanitarian gains seen during the ceasefire earlier this year. Now, with only a trickle of humanitarian aid allowed in, including UNICEF's lifesaving supplies such as nutrition products for children, supplements and baby complementary food, children in Gaza continue to teeter on the brink of starvation. 

UNICEF continues to call for a ceasefire, unimpeded access to humanitarian aid, and the release of all hostages. All parties must take action to unconditionally protect children from harm.  

The world must not look away as children are fighting for survival. Please donate today to help UNICEF continue delivering services in malnutrition, healthcare, education and clean water. 

Standing in front of her heavily damaged home, 12-year-old Alina reflects on how her town no longer has a school, kindergarten or medical facility.
Standing in front of her heavily damaged home in Ukraine, 12-year-old Alina reflects on how her town no longer has a school, kindergarten or medical facility.
© UNICEF/UNI739387/Filippov

Millions of children around the world face devastating losses and uncertain futures caused by natural disasters, public health crises and ongoing wars and conflicts.    

In places including Myanmar, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Ukraine, Haiti and beyond, humanitarian emergencies are unfolding around the world. Children are losing their homes, schools and loved ones, and a lack of access to food, water and healthcare is causing immense challenges.  

Globally, children live in severe food poverty, making them up to 50 per cent more likely to experience ‘wasting’, a life-threatening form of malnutrition. And although parents and caregivers are doing everything they can, devastatingly, children living in places like Gaza, Sudan, Somalia and Yemen are at high risk of famine. 

Your gift will make a difference. 

We can’t stop emergencies from happening, but we can ensure that more children survive. That means being on the ground, delivering lifesaving support during emergencies and assisting with long-term support in the years after a crisis to help restore vital programs and ensure every child is healthy, educated and safe from harm.   

A woman holds her 13-month-old son at her home in Sudan.
Laila carries her 13-month-old son at her home in Sudan. He is receiving treatment for severe acute malnutrition under a UNICEF-supported nutrition program.
© UNICEF/UNI593887/Hasouna

We are working alongside our partners to provide urgent assistance to children and families caught in emergencies. 

Every year, UNICEF responds to hundreds of emergencies, delivering lifesaving support, safeguarding children’s rights and protecting them from harm. From emergency relief to long-term development solutions, UNICEF is 100 per cent donor funded.  

How will my donation help children?

When you donate to support our emergency work, you can help us reach the world’s most vulnerable children and their communities in places like Gaza, Sudan, Ukraine, Haiti and Myanmar. We’re there for every child, no matter what.   

  • $90 could help provide 18,000 water purification tablets, each able to create up to five litres of clean drinking water. 
  • $133 could help provide 253 sachets of Plumpy’Nut®, a therapeutic peanut paste, to help save the lives of two children with malnutrition. 
  • $311 could help provide a School-in-a-Box so 40 children can continue their education. 
$1

    How do we use each dollar donated?

  • 80¢
    on average, 80 cents to every dollar spent for the past three years went directly to helping children in need, including long-term programs, emergency response and community education.
  • 20¢
    on average, 14 cents to every dollar spent for the past three years went to essential fundraising costs that helped us generate more impact for children, 6 cents went to admin costs, such as keeping your personal data safe.

Your gift will support children impacted by this emergency, and crisis around the world. If you choose to donate monthly or should we receive more funds than is needed for this emergency, your gift will support UNICEF's work where the need is greatest. Find out more about our financial management in our annual report.  

When war breaks out or disaster strikes, you can make a difference.

UNICEF is on the ground, providing urgent assistance to children and their families. But we can’t do it alone. We need your help to always be there. No matter what.