The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) warned on Tuesday evening that more than 200 million children across 130 countries will require humanitarian assistance in 2026, describing a global crisis of unprecedented scale.
The humanitarian situation facing children today is among the most severe we have ever witnessed, as conflicts, climate shocks, economic instability, and inequalities continue to worsen,” said UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell, addressing the UNICEF Executive Board.
She emphasized that the global environment for children has become increasingly challenging, with growing needs and diminishing resources occurring at a time when “multilateralism and international aid are being called into question.” Furthermore, Russell noted that maternal and child health remains a “central priority,” while warning of a record increase in violence. Last year saw the highest number of documented grave violations against children, including killings, abductions, and sexual violence.
The Executive Director also denounced “abrupt and severe budget cuts” that are forcing humanitarian actors to make “impossible choices” regarding which lives to prioritize.
This comes at a critical moment following the return of famine in 2025, with two simultaneous declarations described as an “unprecedented and deeply alarming” situation.
