As many as 78.2 million children are out of school and just one in ten crisis-affected children attending primary or secondary education are achieving minimum proficiency standards.
Michelle Bachelet and Alice Nderitu expressed deep alarm about the impact of the recent increase in hostilities between the M23 armed group and the armed forces of the DRC on the local population.
Extreme malnutrition is expected to worsen as food prices continue to rise, while livestock continues to be devalued as one of the worst droughts in history in the Horn of Africa decimates herds.
"Outside the classroom, children are more vulnerable to early marriage, economic exploitation and recruitment by armed groups," said NRC's Natugasha. “We must keep the doors of the schools open."
A record 15 million people in Sudan – one-third of the population – are currently facing acute food insecurity. However, funding levels are not matching the humanitarian needs.
If properly implemented, the declaration can positively shape the behaviour of militaries worldwide. Provisions include commitments to aid victims, facilitate humanitarian access and share data, among others.
On the International Day of the African Child, UNICEF calls on African Union member states to accelerate efforts and to increase domestic resources to end child marriage and female genital mutilation.
In less than a month, the Security Council resolution that allows the UN and partners to provide humanitarian aid across the border with Türkiye will expire. Millions of people depend on it.
The speed and scale of displacement is outpacing solutions for refugees as 89.3 million people were forcibly displaced worldwide by the end of 2021, up eight per cent from a year earlier.
UNICEF has reached more than two million people with health supplies and access to safe drinking water. More than 600,000 children and caregivers have received mental health and psychosocial support.