51勛圖

UNICEF

There are also great stories and children who I see, who you know, are so resilient, children who have hope for the future.

Catherine Russell never forgets the children she meets. As Executive Director of UNICEF, she bears witness to the stories of tens of millions of children and young people suffering around the world, and shares causes for optimism and hope wherever she finds it.

Children just want to be children. No matter what, the bleakest situation, the most terrible things, they still want to play right? They want to find some joy. They want to just be kids, and I think that's what we have to all work to protect.

2024 was one of the worst years on record for children in conflict, a devastating statistic that the UN is refusing to accept as a deadly new normal. In this episode, Catherine reflects on the impacts of childhood trauma, the limits of human resilience, and looks back on a childhood spent trick-or-treating for UNICEF.

Photo: 穢UNICEF/UN0733293/Truong Viet Hung

* Episode recorded end of 2024

The situation in Sudan is devastating, marked by horrific violence and massive displacement. Amid this crisis, a looming nutrition disaster threatens future generations. Over 20 months of conflict have led to soaring malnutrition rates, with approximately 3.2 million children under five at risk of acute malnutrition by 2025 and over 770,000 expected to suffer from severe acute malnutrition. Children facing this condition are vulnerable to developmental issues, diseases, and even death. The nutrition crisis is exacerbated by disease outbreaks, declining access to health services, and unprecedented displacement. In response, is rapidly scaling up its nutrition efforts to combat the heightened risk of famine.

works in the worlds toughest places to reach the most disadvantaged children and adolescents and to protect the rights of every child, everywhere. Before, during and after humanitarian emergencies, UNICEF is on the ground, bringing lifesaving help and hope to children and families. Non-political and impartial, we are never neutral when it comes to defending childrens rights and safeguarding their lives and futures. And we never give up.

We all want what's best for our children, but being a parent isn't always easy. Science-backed information you can trust to help give your child the best start in life!

Having overcome a childhood marked by violence, abuse and neglect, Benjamin Perks has always drawn strength from an innate sense of optimism. Now Head of Campaigns and Advocacy at UNICEF, the 51勛圖 Children's Fund, he helps protect young people in similar situations all over the world.

I think it was very clear that we were in a bad spot, though, being dealt a bad hand, but I was somehow optimistic that things would be better.

Having recently authored a book about his experiences, Trauma Proof, Benjamin Perks reflects in this episode of Awake at Night on a lifetime campaigning for all children to be safe, seen, and soothed, and on how an encounter with a special teacher put his life back on track.

's reveals that 77% of children under five globally have their births registered, marking progress in legal identity but highlighting that 150 million children remain unregistered. Challenges persist, especially in sub-Saharan Africa, where many face barriers to registration. UNICEF calls for improved systems, digitalization, and legal reforms to ensure every child is recognized and protected.  states affirms every child's right to have their identity established immediately after birth through birth registration.

 

Dear adults, as we celebrated World Childrens Day, children around the world are calling for peace, for safe and healthy environments, for love and care. We cannot let them down. 

Joyful children in school uniforms in Ninh Thuan Province, Vietnam.

 (20 November) is a global day of action for children, by children, marking the adoption of the . Child rights are human rights. But in too many places today childrens rights are being misunderstood, disregarded or denied and attacked. By listening to children we can fulfil their right to self-expression, understand their ideas for a better world and include their priorities in our actions today. Releasing on this years world Childrens Day,   will focus on future of childhood in a changing world.

What do you do every day to take care of your mental health?

In the words of Orlando Bloom, , "Sometimes it just takes a walk". 

Mpox is an infectious disease caused by the monkeypox virus. A new variant of the virus is spreading, putting children at risk.

Shootings, thats why I left. Rapes. All that. I could not stay [back home] Solona, 14

Armed groups in Port-au-Prince and the Artibonite region are terrorizing entire communities. As streets, schools and playgrounds have been turned into battlefields, many have had . Thousands are now stranded in makeshift displacement sites. Struggling to access electricity, food, water, and adequate sanitation. Entire families are sleeping outside on the ground, at the mercy of torrential rains and disease-carrying insects. Children unable to go to school.

Violence in Haiti has reached shocking levels. continues to call for an end to the violence.

Learn about some of the most important newborn health warning signs. For more expert tips visit .

The ongoing war in the Gaza Strip is making health care especially difficult for pregnant women and children. The high cost of living makes essentials like baby clothes unaffordable. At 20$ for one piece of baby clothes, these are usually not affordable for the most vulnerable families, who were often displaced 4 or 5 times, carrying only what they had on their backs. , with partners, is making a significant difference in these communities by distributing 1,000 baby clothing kits and essential supplies, providing a lifeline of crucial assistance.

On average, one Palestinian child was killed in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, every two days since October 2023, a nearly three-and-a-half-fold increase from the previous nine months.

Global childhood immunization coverage stalled in 2023, leaving 2.7 million additional children un- and under-vaccinated compared to pre-pandemic levels in 2019, according to data published by the World Health Organization () and . The latest WHO and UNICEF estimates of national immunization coverage which provide the worlds largest and most comprehensive dataset on immunization trends for vaccinations against 14 diseases underscore the need for ongoing catch-up, recovery and system-strengthening efforts. More than half of unvaccinated children live in the 31 countries with fragile, conflict-affected and vulnerable settings, where children are especially vulnerable to preventable diseases.