Protecting Childhoods Across Borders: UNICEF Gulf and AGFUND Announce Critical Humanitarian and Development Assistance to Five Countries

Riyadh, February 15th — UNICEF Gulf Area Office and the Arab Gulf Programme for Development (AGFUND) have signed a series of cooperation agreements worth US$1.6 million to support critical programmes for children and families in Sudan, Syria, Mauritania, Djibouti and Armenia.

The agreements will support projects starting implementation immediately, addressing urgent humanitarian needs while strengthening essential systems in health, education, nutrition, and early childhood development. The initiatives are expected to reach hundreds of thousands of beneficiaries, with a strong focus on vulnerable children and women affected by conflict, displacement and poverty.

In Sudan, UNICEF will scale up a life-saving cholera outbreak response in Khartoum, directly benefiting around 100,000 people through improved access to safe water, sanitation and hygiene services, rehabilitation of water systems, and community engagement to prevent disease transmission. In addition, the funds will support UNICEF’s Education Crisis Response in Al Jazirah and Sennar areas, helping restore access to learning for 5,400 conflict-affected children through Safe Learning Spaces, teaching and learning materials, and trained facilitators, supporting children’s recovery after prolonged school disruptions.

In Syria, the fund will bridge critical funding gaps for school rehabilitation and essential learning supplies, benefiting 18,000 children. It will also expand access to digital learning content aligned with the national curriculum, ensuring learning continuity for children in diverse and challenging contexts.

In Mauritania, adolescent girls and young women will be empowered to establish social enterprises focused on child nutrition, strengthening local food systems, improving dietary diversity for young children, and advancing women’s economic participation.

In Djibouti, the support will strengthen the quality pre-primary education, parental engagement and national early childhood development systems.

In Armenia, the fund will expand access to inclusive early childhood education and care services, supporting young children, families and early childhood professionals, while contributing to a stronger care economy.

"AGFUND’s timely and generous support reflects our shared commitment to ensuring that every child, regardless of circumstance, can thrive," said Ms. Lana Al Wreikat, UNICEF Gulf Area Director. "From the most vulnerable communities in Sudan to inclusive early learning environments in Armenia, this partnership brings hope, protection, and real opportunities to children and families. We are profoundly grateful for AGFUND’s enduring dedication to shaping a brighter future for the next generation."

HRH Prince Abdulaziz bin Talal Al Saud, Chairman of AGFUND, stated, "Our partnership with UNICEF is a cornerstone of AGFUND's mission to foster human development. This agreement reflects our focused strategy on empowering communities through education, health, vocational training, and economic inclusion. We are confident that these targeted interventions will create a profound and lasting impact, building resilient futures for children and women across these nations."

The partnership between the two organizations began in 1981 under the leadership of the late Prince Talal bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud, UNICEF Special Envoy and founder of AGFUND, and has since benefited generations of children across Asia, Africa, Latin America, and beyond. AGFUND supported close to 100 UNICEF projects over four decades and offered around more than $100 Million in support to UNICEF programmes in different countries. 

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About UNICEF
UNICEF works in the world’s toughest places to reach the most disadvantaged children and adolescents – and to protect the rights of every child, everywhere. Across more than 190 countries and territories, we do whatever it takes to help children survive, thrive and fulfill their potential, from early childhood through adolescence.

About AGFUND
The Arab Gulf Programme for Development (AGFUND) is a regional development organization founded in 1980 with the aim of supporting sustainable human development efforts for the poor and needy groups in developing countries, focusing on children, women, and youth.