On December 4, 2024, UNICEF announced a request for $9.9 billion to address the urgent needs of millions of children affected by conflicts and crises worldwide by 2025. Catherine Russell, the head of the UN agency for children, stated, "The scale of humanitarian needs for children is at an all-time high, with more children affected every day."
UNICEF estimates that 213 million children across 146 countries and territories will require humanitarian assistance by 2025, marking a shocking increase. The funding request aims to partially meet these critical needs amid a chronic funding crisis for humanitarian operations.
The assistance will focus on access to basic health care, clean water, education, malnutrition screening, psychological support, and prevention of gender-based violence. The countries most in need include Afghanistan, Sudan, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the Palestinian territories, and Lebanon.