Attachments
Highlights
- The Middle East and North Africa region will face overlapping, protracted crises in 2026 that are expected to leave 92.6 million people, including 44.8 million children, exposed to life-threatening risks and vulnerabilities. Escalating conflict, displacement, disease outbreaks and climate-related shocks continue to strain communities and humanitarian systems across the region.
- In 2026, UNICEF country offices in the region will implement tailored humanitarian responses to address country-specific crises, ensuring timely and context-appropriate support for the most vulnerable children and families, with particular attention to hard-to-reach and vulnerable populations. This includes children on the move, such as Afghan, Sahrawi, Sudanese and Palestinian refugees and populations, along with people affected by disease outbreaks, extreme climate events and other shocks.
- The UNICEF Middle East and North Africa Regional Office will strengthen country office capacities for preparedness and humanitarian response and recovery through targeted technical and operational support, and will also lead cross-border coordination for subregional contingency planning to ensure continuity of services.
- UNICEF requires US$148.7 million to deliver gender-responsive, inclusive and equitable humanitarian assistance through health, nutrition, WASH, education and child protection programmes. UNICEF will also strengthen preparedness, rapid response and coordination efforts for affected populations across the region.
IN NEED
99.2 million people in need of health and nutrition assistance
40 million children in need of protection services
38.5 million children in need of education support
75.7 million people lack access to safe water