Buthaina Al-Iryani

Public Finance and Social Policy Specialist.

A Mother of 3 children. Passionate about child rights, public finance, and social protection. Views are mine.

[Buthaina Al-Iryani @BAliryani]

Lynn is my hero.
There is so much to learn from her: resilience, hope, and confidence in the future. Despite displacement and the challenges linked to disability, she continues to learn, dream, and smile — a beautiful smile that shines on everything around her.
Children with disabilities have equal rights to learn, thrive, and be supported, wherever they are. In this difficult financing environment, with declining humanitarian aid, the international community must scale up financing for essential social services and social protection for all children affected by conflict, so all children, including those with disabilities, continue to thrive and realize their full rights.
#ChildrenWithDisabilities #ForEveryChildPeace

[UNICEF @UNICEF]

Lynn, 13, loves her cat, siblings and school.

Though recent hostilities in Lebanon displaced her family, she continues to dream of becoming a doctor.

In times of war, children with disabilities face greater risks. UNICEF and partners are assisting families like Lynn’s with cash transfers.

[UNICEF Economic & Social Policy @UNICEFSocPolicy]

Children’s rights are shaped by public finance decisions and by whether those investments translate into services that reach children.

This new publication presents UNICEF’s work in 57 countries in improving how resources are allocated and spent. https://t.co/vnsTwFhxNs

[UNICEF Yemen @UNICEF_Yemen]

في #تعز، تهدد تحديات كثيرة استمرارية خدمات المياه، مما زاد الأعباء على الأطفال وأسرهم.

تدعم #اليونيسف جهود الحفاظ على تدفق المياه للمواطنين، وتواصل العمل مع السلطات المحلية والشركاء لاستدامة هذه الخدمة الحيوية.

#لكل_طفل، مياه آمنة. 💧
@Sida

[Pope Leo XIV @Pontifex]

I am following with concern the grave humanitarian situation in Yemen, particularly in the city of Taiz, where the population is suffering from a lack of food, water and medical care. I make a heartfelt appeal for hostilities to cease and for the Yemeni people and all the peoples of the region to be guaranteed the right to live in peace.

[UN News @UN_News_Centre]

Aid agencies warn of the fast-developing humanitarian emergency inside Taiz City in Yemen.

“Access roads have been cut off and that means that very little fuel, food or other supplies have reached the city since.” - @UNOCHA spokesperson tells the press

https://t.co/WhzGY1j6VL

[United Nations Geneva @UNGeneva]

"Taiz is is a textbook example of what happens when access is cut off.

Access roads have been cut off since 3 October, which means that very little fuel, food or other supplies have reached the city since."

- @JensLaerke65852, @UNOCHA

[UNICEF @UNICEF]

For Taghreed and her children, fleeing is not a new experience, but that has not lessened their immense pain.

After being displaced before, they returned home hoping they could finally rebuild their lives. Instead, renewed fighting forced them to leave again, taking only what they could carry.

“We go to sleep without dinner. When it rains, we can't even go to the market. The children just cry and cry, and we stay up until morning,” - Taghreed.

As conflict intensifies across Yemen, more families are being forced from their homes, and children are once again paying the price.

Help amplify their voices by sharing this story - part of an illustrated series highlighting the devastating impact of war on children’s rights.

[World Food Programme @WFP]

Families in #Yemen are fleeing escalating fighting, some surviving on bread and soup made from whatever they can find.

WFP’s @mfjhollingworth explains how teams are scaling up, and why urgent funding is needed before stocks run out. ⬇️

[Buthaina Al-Iryani @BAliryani]

“This is more than a financing crisis. It is a generational crisis.” “Debt can be rescheduled. Childhood cannot be rescheduled.”

Excellent discussion last Tuesday, September 22, at UNICEF House on debt, development and the next generation. Inspiring words from the UNICEF Executive Director, the President of Kenya, the Prime Minister of Barbados, and UNICEF Director of Global Programme Division George Laryea-Adjei.

This UNGA week has been full of high-level advocacy on the debt facing low-income countries. In his address at the opening of the General Debate on 22 September, Secretary-General Guterres said: “No country should be denied a sustainable future because it is on the wrong side of a deeply unequal financial system. Yet so many throughout the developing world are being crushed by unsustainable debt.” He called for debt relief that is timely, effective and just.

With UNICEF’s upcoming publication on children and the global debt crisis, we will have a more holistic view of this agenda. UNICEF has steadily built this conversation, from the 2021 Social Spending Monitor policy brief on the looming debt crisis, through its 2025 FFD4 advocacy, to this week’s dialogue. @UNICEFSocPolicy @unicef https://t.co/pTgovfOr5q

[Catherine Russell @unicefchief]

Thank you President @WilliamsRuto of Kenya & Prime Minister @miaamormottley of Barbados for joining the conversation on debt, development & children.
UNICEF fully agrees. Where there is a will, there is a way to address the debt crisis. Debt can be rescheduled. Childhood cannot.

[Catherine Russell @unicefchief]

Some welcomed news out of Gaza.

Today, more than 330,000 children across #Gaza are returning to class with the support of UNICEF.

Being among classmates and learning can help restore a sense of childhood and hope.

All children have a right to education and safe schools.

[Catherine Russell @unicefchief]

At #UNGA this week, UNICEF’s message to world leaders is clear. Put children first.

Investing in their education, health and protection is how we build a healthier, more peaceful and prosperous future-for everyone.

[Buthaina Al-Iryani @BAliryani]

@omeisy عظم الله أجركم. الله يرحمه ويسكنه فسيح جناته.

[UNICEF Economic & Social Policy @UNICEFSocPolicy]

Investing in children is investing in the future.

In 2025, we worked with governments to advance public finance for children, strengthening social sector budgets in 93 countries and mobilizing financing in 98 countries for social service delivery.

🔗 https://t.co/P2GZ7haS9F

[UN ECOSOC President @UNECOSOC]

The #HLPF starts today! As the global community comes together to advance sustainable development, now is the time to accelerate action and turn commitments into results.

The #SDGs remain our roadmap toward a shared blueprint for peace and prosperity. With less than five years to go, we must act with greater urgency.

Follow #HLPF and join us here: https://t.co/ou9QL3Du4R

[UN Spokesperson @UN_Spokesperson]

.@antonioguterres reiterates his condemnation of the arbitrary detention of 73 @UN personnel, and other personnel, by the Houthis in #Yemen.

We will continue to pursue all possible avenues to secure their immediate and safe release.

Full statement: https://t.co/C7KK1QLAAG

[UN Yemen - الأمم المتحدة في اليمن @UNinYE]

Two years after the June 2024 detention of UN and other personnel in Yemen, the UN Secretary-General reiterates his condemnation of the arbitrary detention of dozens of personnel from the United Nations, non-governmental organizations, civil society organizations, and diplomatic missions by the Houthi de facto authorities. He also again condemns the arbitrary detention of UN personnel in 2025, 2023, and 2021 and calls for the immediate and unconditional release of all those detained.
The United Nations will continue to pursue all possible avenues to secure the immediate and safe release of those detained. The Secretary-General stands in solidarity with them and their families and reiterates that humanitarian workers should never be targeted or detained for carrying out their vital work.
https://t.co/EvpzJsiU8I

[António Guterres @antonioguterres]

My warmest wishes to everyone celebrating #EidAlAdha.

At a time of conflict, division and violence, let us all be inspired by this celebrations’ spirit of solidarity, community, compassion & empathy.

Eid Mubarak!

[UNICEF @UNICEF]

Protect children.

Always. Everywhere.

Learn more: https://t.co/7oVU7VMflb

[UNICEF @UNICEF]

Risk of famine persists as nearly 19.5 million people face acute food insecurity in Sudan.

Conflict, displacement and restricted humanitarian
access leave more than 825,000 children at risk of death from severe malnutrition in 2026.

Statement ⬇️
https://t.co/J2Grqp0esI

[UNICEF @UNICEF]

As the civil conflict enters its fourth year, the protracted hunger crisis in Sudan shows little sign of abating.

Violence, displacement and severe humanitarian access constraints are impacting children, families and communities across the country.

Statement from @FAO, @WFP and UNICEF: https://t.co/tfObgkheDs