UNICEF has issued a stark warning as global humanitarian needs for children hit levels never seen before.
The UN agency has launched an emergency call for $7.66 billion to deliver life-saving support to 73 million children across 133 countries in the coming year.
Escalating conflicts, growing hunger, and major funding cuts are pushing children into deeper danger.
In its Humanitarian Action for Children 2026 report, UNICEF notes that millions, especially girls, children with disabilities, and those living through emergencies are experiencing record levels of violence, displacement, and deprivation.
Schools and hospitals continue to face attacks, while cases of sexual violence are rising at an alarming rate.
UNICEF’s Executive Director, Catherine Russell, warns that worsening funding gaps are severely undermining the organisation’s ability to help the world’s most vulnerable children.
Because of the shortfalls, UNICEF has already had to scale down nutrition efforts in 20 priority countries and reduce education support, leaving countless children at risk of severe malnutrition and losing access to learning.
Russell explained: “Across our operations, frontline teams are being forced into impossible decisions, focusing limited supplies and services on children in some places over others, decreasing the frequency of services, or cutting back critical interventions that children rely on to survive.”
UNICEF says more than 200 million children will require humanitarian assistance in 2026. Many are trapped in long-running crises, facing undernutrition, disease, lack of schooling, and threats to their safety.
Even with these overwhelming challenges, UNICEF continues to push forward, prioritizing the most urgent life-saving programs, building stronger partnerships, and investing in resilience and preparedness.
The agency is urging governments, donors, and private sectors to increase support, strengthen local responses, and uphold humanitarian principles so no child is abandoned.
