UNICEF aims to help 59 million children in emergencies in 2020. The needs of children in today’s humanitarian crises are immense, with protracted conflicts, climate related extreme weather events, natural disasters and health emergencies, affecting entire generations of children.

The number of countries experiencing conflict is at its highest point since the adoption of the Convention on the Rights of the Child in 1989. Children have become frontline targets, resulting in death, serious injury and lasting trauma. Humanitarian emergencies also deprive children of health, nutrition, water and sanitation, education and other basic needs.

Humanitarian Action for Children 2020 underscores the urgency of protecting children in crisis from all such threats to their lives, well-being and dignity.

Innovative and cost-effective initiatives such as community-based education in Afghanistan and radio programming in Burkina Faso, for example, provide alternative learning opportunities for children when schools are too dangerous to attend. UNICEF also provides training for community members, including teachers, to cope with traumatic events themselves and nurture children under stress.

From the Rohingya refugee crisis in Bangladesh to the outflow of families from Central America seeking a safer and more dignified life to the crisis in Syria, children have been uprooted by violence in historic numbers. UNICEF and partners have responded to emergencies in 61 countries so far in 2019, providing humanitarian assistance to around 29 million children.

 

Source: UNICEF website