Current emergencies 

In Lebanon, violence is costing human lives – and children are bearing the greatest brunt. They’re being killed, injured and uprooted from their homes with relentless Israeli bombardment across densely populated areas. Education is disrupted, with many schools destroyed or used as shelters. Children are facing alarming rates of malnutrition and deadly diseases. Our response includes providing essential items, food and water, setting up safe spaces and temporary shelters.

The sudden escalation of conflict in Ukraine is having devastating consequences for children, families and vulnerable populations across the country. Ukrainians have been forced to flee their homes in freezing temperatures where they are exposed to injury, hunger and terrifying uncertainty as to what their future holds. Our response is providing urgent support for families in evacuation sites and villages under threat. We are distributing emergency items such as blankets, medicine and hygiene kits to those in need. We are working in neighbouring countries, including Poland, Romania and Lithuania to support children and families fleeing Ukraine.

After a century of progress, we are now seeing a reversal in the number of children surviving around the world. The COVID-19 pandemic is compounding the effects on vulnerable communities that are already living in conflict settings or with the burdens of climate change. It is causing the ‘perfect storm’ that is pushing millions to the verge of starvation. Across the globe, 174 million people are at crisis levels of food insecurity, having to make difficult choices to ensure they have enough to eat. In fragile and conflict-affected states, our teams are working to strengthen health and nutrition systems, while we campaign to address the underlying causes of this avoidable crisis.

An entire generation of Syrian children have been displaced by more than a decade of conflict and are struggling to survive without food, medicine and clean water. As the violence and disruption continues, their lives continue to be at risk. We are working in Syria and in the Zaatari refugee camp in Jordan where many Syrian families have fled, to deliver lifesaving support. We are helping parents feed their babies and children, providing safe spaces, warm clothes, shelter, and psychological support for traumatised children.