Gaza Crisis
On 17 October, a devastating explosion at the Al Ahli Hospital in the Gaza Strip resulted in hundreds of people, including children, women, and medical professionals, being killed or injured.
In just 11 days of the renewed conflict, hundreds of children have tragically lost their lives and thousands more injured, while countless others have been exposed to the violence. Within the Gaza Strip, over 300,000 children have been displaced from their homes.
There are also reports of large-scale, grave violations against children in Israel and the State of Palestine, and infrastructure like schools and health facilities have also been destroyed. No place is safe for children in these conflict zones.
UNICEF calls for the immediate protection of children while working long-term to ensure they can access essential health, education and child protection services. Every child, irrespective of background or circumstance, should grow up in peace and free from the shadow of violence.
By donating to our Children's Emergency Appeal, you can help support UNICEF's ongoing work for children facing crises around the world.
Update: 18 October 2023
Natural disasters and public health crises to ongoing conflicts, millions of children around the world face devastating losses and uncertain futures.
An unprecedented number of humanitarian emergencies are unfolding around the world where children are losing their homes, schools and loved ones. Their access to food, water and healthcare is affected, and although parents and caregivers are doing all they can to keep their children safe, devastatingly, many children are vulnerable to abuse and exploitation.
"Today, there are more children in need of humanitarian assistance than at any other time in recent history."
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 being there long after a crisis to help restore vital programs to ensure every child is healthy, educated and safe from harm.
UNICEF is 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 care, 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 UNICEF’s emergency work, you can help us reach the world’s most vulnerable children and their communities.
- $84 could provide an emergency food ration pack containing 216 bars of ready-to-eat fortified food.
- $130 could provide 9660 water purification tablets, each able to create up to 5 litres of clean drinking water.
- $271 could deliver a school-in-a-box with enough education supplies to keep 40 students learning.
- 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.
How do we use each dollar donated?
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.