Press releases

Zurich, May 17, 2025 – The Star Weeks Award ceremony attended by around 550 children and adults took place today at the Schauspielhaus Zürich, where awards were given out for the most creative children’s fundraising campaigns.

The COVID-19 pandemic has worsened existing negative developments regarding the well-being of children in wealthy countries. More children are experiencing difficulties with school, obesity and falling satisfaction levels. Switzerland is also showing significant decline in some areas.

15 million children in need as violence, hunger, and disease increase, and growing constraints on access and funding compound challenges

Aid continues to be blocked from entering, in breach of international humanitarian law and with dire repercussions for children.

UNICEF calls for urgent response as homes, schools, hospitals and critical infrastructure have sustained severe damage.

Reductions in donor funding threaten to unravel decades of progress for the world’s most vulnerable children and women.

Number of under-five deaths declined to 4.8 million in 2023, while stillbirths remained around 1.9 million, according to two new UN reports

127,350 measles cases were reported in the European Region for 2024 – double the number reported for 2023 and the highest number seen in the Region since 1997.

Children as young as one reported among survivors of rape during Sudan’s violent conflict. UNICEF calls for urgent international efforts to protect and support children in Sudan.

UNICEF is deeply concerned about the sharp increase in serious violations against children in the east of the Democratic Republic of Congo. Since the recent escalation of violence, the number of reported incidents has tripled.