On September 9, 2024, Administrator Samantha Power of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell engaged in a critical discussion focusing on health and humanitarian emergencies in Gaza and Sudan.
Administrator Power commended UNICEF for its exemplary leadership and strategic role in managing humanitarian needs worldwide. She particularly highlighted UNICEF’s stewardship of the Education Cannot Wait global fund, which supports education in emergencies and protracted crises.
The conversation also celebrated the inclusion of two young advocates in the UNICEF Executive Board’s special session on climate and children. Their participation reflects a growing recognition of the intersection between climate change and its impact on children’s well-being.
Additionally, Power and Russell addressed the often-overlooked issue of lead exposure, which affects an alarming number of children in low- and middle-income countries. Both leaders emphasized the need to elevate global awareness and action on this significant health concern.
