From conflicts to natural disasters and disease outbreaks – in 2023, UNICEF responded to 412 emergencies in 107 countries – but only a fraction of these emergencies made the news.
The world is experiencing an unprecedented number of emergencies – ongoing conflicts, mass displacements, disease outbreaks, and devastating droughts, floods, earthquakes and cyclones. Yet many of these emergencies rarely make international headlines, leaving them underfunded, as research shows a strong link between media coverage and funding for emergency response.
Vulnerable communities, especially children, who are enduring these silent emergencies often do not have their basic needs met. They can lack access to healthcare, lifesaving vaccines and nutrition, clean water, education and child protection services.
Bringing these reported emergencies into the spotlight helps children and their communities get the support they need as the crisis unfolds, and the resources, skillset and resilience to recover and build back better.
Silent emergencies explained
450 m
In 2023, over 450 million – nearly 1 in 5 children – live in or have fled a conflict zone.
14,000
Each day, nearly 14,000 children under the age of five are dying from largely preventable causes like diarrhoeal diseases and malaria.
Sudan Famine Crisis
Famine confirmed in Sudan’s North Darfur, threatening the lives of over 400,000 displaced people in the Zamzam Camp, reflecting the devastating situation for children around the region.
The declaration of famine is an extremely rare event. People, including children have already started dying of hunger and related conditions including malnutrition and infection.
The situation remains critical across the whole country, with more than 700,000 children expected to suffer severe acute malnutrition (SAM) this year, the most life-threatening form of malnutrition.
Children caught in this catastrophe need us more than ever.
Silent emergencies that are happening right now
How UNICEF is helping children in emergencies
Whether an emergency gets media attention or not, UNICEF is there. No matter where or what, we stay and deliver for children. We do this by providing safe drinking water, vaccinating children against life-threatening diseases, treating children for all forms of malnutrition, providing access to education, protecting children from harm, and helping communities to recover and build back stronger.
34.7 m
UNICEF reached over 34.7 million children and their families with mental health and psychosocial support services in 2023.
6.2 m
UNICEF delivered 6.2 million doses of the world’s first malaria vaccine to seven African countries in 2023.
150 m
UNICEF reached more than 150 million children in 2023 with early detection and malnutrition services in high-risk settings.
23 m
In humanitarian settings, UNICEF reached over 23 million people with safe drinking water in 2023.
Partnering with local organisations for greater impact
In emergencies – including silent emergencies – UNICEF works with global experts and local partners to deliver impact for children and their families. By partnering with local civil society organisations, UNICEF ensures that the needs and priorities of affected communities are addressed and that they have a voice in the design and implementation of responses.
In their greatest times of need, UNICEF's presence is more than just lifesaving support. For many children, it's a sign of hope and that they have not been forgotten because every child has the right to survive and thrive, no matter who they are, where they live or what they believe.
The power of your gift
There is a strong link between media coverage of emergencies and funding for those emergencies. When we turn on our televisions and see children and families suffering in a crisis, we naturally want to support them. But when an emergency doesn’t make the news, we may not realise support is needed.
As a 100 per cent donor-funded organisation, UNICEF relies on the funding of generous donors to meet children in need. But in 2023, half of all donations to UNICEF were earmarked by donors for just seven emergencies, while other crises were left underfunded.
This is what makes flexible donations so important. Donations enable UNICEF to respond quickly and effectively for children wherever the need is greatest, no matter what.
Our work in emergencies
We’re on the ground working to reach children and their families with lifesaving support while helping communities to recover.
Discover more about UNICEF’s work in global emergencies.
Donate to where the need is greatest
When you donate to where the need is greatest, you're helping UNICEF be there for children who are in the greatest need, wherever that may be. UNICEF can respond quickly and effectively when an emergency strikes, offering immediate relief and long after, helping communities to build back stronger. Please help UNICEF be there for every child before, during and after an emergency, no matter what.
