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UNICEF Eastern and Southern Africa
Source: UNICEF Eastern and Southern Africa |

Mpox outbreak raises alarm in Eastern and Southern Africa as cases increase among children – UNICEF

Concerns over new public health emergency rise as communities grapple with other ongoing crises

Children and vulnerable communities are at the sharp end of an expanding outbreak of mpox in Eastern and Southern Africa. More than 200 confirmed cases have been detected across five countries (Burundi, Rwanda, Uganda, Kenya, South Africa), UNICEF reported today.  The new variant of the mpox virus (clade Ib) has…

UNICEF Eastern and Southern Africa
Source: UNICEF Eastern and Southern Africa |

The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) statement on execution of four youths in Puntland state, Somalia

UNICEF requests the Puntland authorities to prevent the imposition of death sentences

UNICEF notes with deep regret the execution of four young people in the Somali state of Puntland this past weekend for offences committed as children when they were under the age of 18, while they were associated with Al Shabaab. The convictions and sentences were issued by military courts, which lack…

UNICEF Eastern and Southern Africa
Source: UNICEF Eastern and Southern Africa |

Almost 1 Million People in Kenya, Burundi, Tanzania, and Somalia Affected as Unprecedented Heavy Rains Continue to Wreak Havoc in Eastern Africa

UNICEF and other humanitarian agencies are stepping up life-saving emergency relief to children and affected communities

Flooding and landslides in Eastern Africa are affecting almost a million people in Burundi, Kenya, Somalia and Tanzania. As unusually heavy rains have pounded the region, exacerbated by the 2023-24 El Niño climate phenomenon, hundreds of lives have been lost, highlighting the urgent need for humanitarian assistance. Large numbers of…

UNICEF Eastern and Southern Africa
Source: UNICEF Eastern and Southern Africa |

As the Conflict Escalates, Children in Northern Ethiopia are the Innocent Victims

UNICEF calls on all parties to agree to an immediate cessation of hostilities

“Yet again, the re-escalation of indiscriminate violence in northern Ethiopia has robbed children of their lives. Recent shelling into villages in the Afar region, on the border of Tigray, over the last few days has killed children and left many others injured.  “Once again, UNICEF calls on all parties to…

UNICEF Eastern and Southern Africa
Source: UNICEF Eastern and Southern Africa |

Polio immunisation campaign begins in four countries after case confirmed in Malawi – UNICEF

The drive was launched today in Malawi, and will be followed on Thursday with campaigns starting in neighbouring Mozambique, Tanzania and Zambia

More than nine million children are to be vaccinated against polio in the first round of a mass campaign across four countries in Eastern and Southern Africa, after an outbreak was confirmed in Malawi.   The drive, led by governments, with the support of UNICEF and partners, was launched today in…

UNICEF Eastern and Southern Africa
Source: UNICEF Eastern and Southern Africa |

1.5 million children lack life-saving treatment for severe wasting in Eastern and Southern Africa, alerts UNICEF

Despite a positive trend in the last few years, funding shortfalls and limited access still put children at critical risk in the region

At least 1.5 million children are not receiving life-saving treatment for severe wasting in Eastern and Southern Africa, UNICEF warns today. The number represents almost half of the estimated 3.6 million children in urgent need, who are not being reached in time to save their lives or keep them from…

UNICEF Eastern and Southern Africa
Source: UNICEF Eastern and Southern Africa |

European Union provides fresh funding to support COVID-19 vaccination in sub-Saharan Africa

The programme will reach more than 189 million people

UNICEF has received a new grant from the European Union’s Humanitarian Aid to help roll out COVID-19 vaccination in 12 countries in Eastern, Southern, West and Central Africa. The 18-month joint programme will help ensure that as vaccines arrive, countries are supported and vaccines reach the whole population, including the…

UNICEF Eastern and Southern Africa
Source: UNICEF Eastern and Southern Africa |

Children in Tigray in acute need of protection and assistance

Home to about 170,000 residents, Shire now hosts at least 52,000 internally displaced people (IDPs), and more arrived on each day of the mission

As more supplies and emergency personnel reach crisis-affected people in Tigray, an incomplete but troubling picture is emerging of severe and ongoing harm to children. Between February 4 and 7, a UNICEF team accompanied by the Regional Health Bureau Head traveled from Mekelle to the town of Shire in Central…

UNICEF Eastern and Southern Africa
Source: UNICEF Eastern and Southern Africa |

Coronavirus - Africa: Schools remain locked for more than 127 million children in Eastern and Southern Africa

Innovative approaches taken for continued learning, but safe re-opening of schools remains key

More than 127 million pre-primary, primary, and secondary school students in Eastern and Southern Africa - who are supposed to return to school this week - remain at home, due to the COVID-19 outbreak. In response, UNICEF has announced advanced support to this unprecedented education crisis, while advocating for the…