UNICEF Launches Appeal During Christmas Season: If Christmas doesn’t reach all children, humanitarian aid must

One in five children lives in a war-torn environment today. UNICEF Portugal reminds us that in Gaza, Sudan, Ukraine, Myanmar, and other conflict-affected areas, Christmas does not bring with it the spirit of peace and protection. For millions of children, UNICEF must continue to fulfil its mission.

UNICEF Portugal appeals to the solidarity of civil society to support 473 million children who are currently living under the devastating impact of war or violent conflict, through the Christmas campaign “Bring humanitarian aid where Christmas doesn’t reach”.

While many children receive gifts and celebrate Christmas with their families during this festive season, in areas like Gaza, or countries like Sudan, Ukraine, or Myanmar, families face daily bombings, hunger, forced displacement, and fear. Currently, 1 in 5 children live in countries affected by wars or violent conflicts:

• More than 70% of child deaths or injuries in war contexts result from the use of explosive weapons in populated areas.
• 48.8 million children have been displaced by violence.
• 52 million are out of school due to conflict.

Despite access restrictions and risks on the ground, UNICEF remains present in more than 400 humanitarian crises per year, and fights daily to bring therapeutic food, drinking water, hygiene kits, emergency shelters, tents, clothing, blankets, medical equipment, medicines, vaccines, and primary and neonatal health care to vulnerable populations. It supports child protection by identifying and monitoring children separated from their families, providing psychosocial support, and creating safe spaces where they can rest, play, and recover from trauma. It also works to restore collapsed services and infrastructure, from sanitation and public health to the rehabilitation of schools and the distribution of school supplies, so that children can continue learning.

According to Catarina da Ponte, head of communications for UNICEF Portugal, “when we say ‘where Christmas doesn’t reach, UNICEF must,’ we are reminding people that there are children for whom light, warmth, and security are a luxury. This is an appeal for Portugal to help bring hope where it seems impossible. In Ukraine, Gaza, Sudan, Myanmar, and so many other places, children lack food, shelter, or access to healthcare.” She emphasizes that this appeal aims to transform the Christmas spirit into concrete impact: “each donation can mean comfort for a child who has lost their home, medicine for someone who is sick, psychological support for someone who has experienced unimaginable trauma. Where childhood is at risk, UNICEF is present, and we count on everyone’s solidarity to continue this vital work.”

In July 2025, UNICEF had only 38% of the funding needed for its annual appeal of approximately €8.53 billion. This financial shortfall puts millions of lives at immediate risk. Despite its underfunding, UNICEF continues to deliver responses on the ground, ensuring that aid reaches the children who need it most first, even in areas where almost nothing else can enter.

Ukraine: Childhood in collapse and growing risk

In Ukraine, the war continues to put children at extreme risk: since February 2022, 2,786 children have been killed or injured, many due to the use of explosive weapons in populated areas. The violence worsened between March and May 2025, a period in which 222 children were injured, and April became the deadliest month since 2020, with 97 child victims. The consequences for daily life are devastating: 70% of children (approximately 3.5 million) live in material deprivation, a third lack access to clean water and sanitation, and more than 4.6 million are out of school. Added to this is the emergence of new dangers, such as the recruitment of minors for sabotage and online espionage activities, which have already resulted in deaths, injuries, and arrests among young people.

Gaza: Two Years of War, Declared Famine, and Childhood on the Verge of Disappearance

In Gaza, children face extreme violence, famine, and the total collapse of essential services. Since the beginning of the conflict in October 2023, more than 64,000 children have been killed or injured, including at least 1,000 babies, and many remain missing. Famine was officially declared on August 22, 2025, affecting more than 500,000 people, while more than 10,000 children suffer from severe acute malnutrition, and the failing health system results in deaths from preventable diseases. UNICEF faces an 81% funding shortfall in the area of ​​nutrition, compromising the humanitarian response in a context where children live displaced, at risk of disease, without regular access to drinking water, sanitation, or medical care, and with constant losses of family members.

Sudan: One of the Biggest Humanitarian Crises Today

In Sudan, where the war that began in April 2023 continues to devastate the country, more than 15 million children urgently need humanitarian aid, in one of the world’s most serious children’s crises. More than 2 million are internally displaced, and 825,000 remain trapped in conflict zones such as Darfur and Zamzam. In Al-Fasher, under siege for more than 500 days, UNICEF has verified more than 1,100 serious violations of children’s rights. Survival is threatened by hunger and disease, with 4 million children under five at risk of acute malnutrition, and a cholera outbreak that began in 2024 has generated more than 96,000 cases and 2,400 deaths. The educational collapse leaves 19 million children out of school and 90% without access to education, compromising the future of a generation.

Myanmar: Children in Crisis, Urgent Needs and UNICEF Response

In Myanmar, approximately 19.9 million people, including 6.4 million children, require humanitarian assistance due to the context of prolonged conflict, internal displacement, and recent natural disasters such as the March earthquake and subsequent floods. The crisis has drastically affected access to essential services: health, nutrition, drinking water, sanitation, and education have been severely disrupted, placing children in a vulnerable situation. UNICEF is responding with an appeal for approximately €246.6 million to support 4.1 million people, including 3 million children, with vital aid ranging from water and sanitation, health and nutrition, to protection and educational support.

UNICEF Portugal appeals to society to join the global effort to protect and save children’s lives around the world this Christmas.

Donations can be made at www.unicef.pt.

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