Our impact together in 2025

Amid conflict and climate chaos in 2025, children, families and humanitarian workers showed us what true strength looks like. Their courage and optimism lit the way forward, proving that even in hardship, hope can thrive. 

We’ve witnessed countless moments of impact, but here are a few that stand out, only made possible with the dedication of our supporters. From across the globe, these stories remind us of why creating a brighter future for every child matters more than ever.  

Rebuilding childhoods in Lebanon 

In 2024, Sawsan, then aged 6, was injured during the war in Lebanon, tragically losing her sight, hearing and voice, and left her unable to walk or swallow. Fast forward to a year later, and after receiving support from a government program in partnership with UNICEF, Sawsan is now on the road to recovery.  

The UNICEF-supported program provides lifesaving medical care, including specialised surgeries and mental health support, for children impacted by the war. Additionally, it offers psychosocial assistance, case management, and referrals to essential services such as physiotherapy and disability aid. 

As the initiative is now implemented nationwide in Lebanon, affected children like Sawsan and their families can receive the necessary support despite the destruction of health facilities. Because every child deserves to thrive and grow up healthy. 

From school dropout to skilled dressmaker in Tanzania 

The death of Antini’s father changed everything for her family. Antini, then aged 12, dropped out of school and became the caretaker of her two younger sisters as their mother began farming to provide for the family. 
 
“I want my sisters to have a better future,” she says. “When Dad passed, I knew I had to step up to help my mother and siblings. Even though I wanted to learn, it felt impossible.”  

Things changed when Antini’s uncle informed her about a UNICEF-funded program that equips young people from vulnerable households with practical skills, mentoring, and health education to help them transition safely to adulthood. Through the grant, Antini was able to purchase a sewing machine and expand her skillsets, now designing dresses for her to sell.  

Now, Antini can follow her dreams and reach her true potential –  because every young person deserves the chance to pursue a better future.  

Conquering mountains to vaccinate Afghanistan’s children 

How do you vaccinate every child in mountainous Afghanistan? The answer is surprising: a motorcycle and a health worker dedicated to undergoing the arduous journey. Payenda is one of the 1,500 mobile health workers reaching remote villages across all Afghan provinces by motorbike. With hard to-reach-areas and rugged terrain on the routes, they’re making a real difference for the isolated families.  
 
“We go to the areas for vaccination implementation 15 days a month, 6 days outreach and 9 days mobile,” says Payenda. “Some of these areas are very remote, and motorcycles cannot reach them, so we are forced to walk to these areas and spend a full day there, which usually takes more than 24 hours.” 

Higher vaccination rates also mean fewer young children are dying from preventable diseases. In Afghanistan, the number of child deaths from measles has dropped nearly fivefold since 2000, with vaccination rates doubling, ensuring that every child can be protected from dangerous diseases.  

A Syrian father's promise

Abu works long hours as a plumber but still struggles to get by. Stress made him strict at home with harsh rules like no loud voices, thinking fear meant respect and not realising how his mood affected his children. “Now I know I was wrong,” he says. 

His family has also faced tremendous hardship, especially after losing his oldest son in 2018. “We kept moving from place to place during the conflict, trying to stay safe.” 

When he joined Sanadi, a national Mental Health program for parents delivered by a UNICEF-supported child protection mobile team, it was the beginning of a new outlook for him as a parent. Through the program, fathers like Abu learn how to connect emotionally with their children, manage anger and stress, and use positive discipline techniques.  

Now, Abu is helping other fathers in his community, by volunteering with the mobile team and encouraging men across his community to join the parenting sessions. “When a father is well supported, the whole family thrives,” he says. “When my wife saw how calm the house had become, and how the children responded to me with love instead of fear, she decided to join the sessions too.” 

For Abu, the sessions have truly been life-changing. “Those young volunteers who led our sessions – they inspired me. I dream that my children will grow up like them, making a difference in their communities.” 

Students driving climate action in India 

Right now, more than one billion children – nearly half the world’s children – live in areas facing extremely high risks from climate change. In India, the students are taking a stand and doing all they can to make their schools a better place amidst the threat of climate change.  

Nancy, 13, is the kitchen garden leader at her school, ensuring proper maintenance of both the main garden and the kitchen garden to help create a greener and healthier school environment.  

At her school, the Saksham Shala program allows student-led resilience and environmental responsibility. UNICEF played a vital role in designing the program, centred on four pillars: clean, green, safe, and sustainable systems. It also expands beyond basic WASH (Water, Sanitation, Hygiene) to include climate resilience measures like water conservation and safe sanitation infrastructure.  

UNICEF is working to protect every child from the impacts of climate change, delivering lifesaving support during climate emergencies and helping vulnerable communities become more resilient to climate shocks.  

A new year for making a difference 

Hope isn’t just a word, it’s what drives us every day at UNICEF. We see it in the resilience of children, families, and humanitarian workers who refuse to give up, no matter what.  

As 2026 unfolds, let’s turn that hope into action. Together, we can create a world where every child is safe, protected, and free to dream big.