GAVI Watch [to 1 February 2014]

:: Bangladesh launches country’s largest measles-rubella campaign to date targeting 52 million children. GAVI said Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina launched the campaign during a ceremony in Dhaka. GAVI is supporting the three-week campaign. Dr Seth Berkley, GAVI Alliance CEO, said, “This is the largest ever measles-rubella campaign launched to date with support from the GAVI Alliance. Investing in rubella will provide a much-needed boost to improving women’s and children’s health, and will help accelerate global progress in controlling two life-threatening diseases. GAVI plans to support 49 countries to introduce the combined measles-rubella vaccine immunizing close to 700 million boys and girls by 2020.” This campaign is expected to reach more than 170,000 schools and 150,000 immunisation centers with a special attention to be given to children without homes and others who are difficult-to-reach….
http://www.gavialliance.org/library/news/gavi-features/2014/bangladesh-prime-minister-launches-countrys-largest-ever-measles-rubella-campaign/

:: India commits US$4 million to GAVI Alliance vaccine programmes
GAVI said the contribution, which will be spread over four years as part of the Government of India’s 12th Five Year Plan, “marks a milestone in the relationship between India and the GAVI Alliance. India has received support for its immunisation programme from GAVI since 2002. The announcement comes at a critical time as the GAVI Alliance is stepping up its efforts to save children’s lives and protect people’s health by increasing access to immunisation in the world’s poorest countries.”
http://www.gavialliance.org/library/news/statements/2014/india-commits-us$-4-million-to-gavi-alliance-vaccine-programmes/

The Humanitarian eXchange Language (HXL) initiative’s working group met for the first time on 20 January under a charter to create a common standard for humanitarian data collection and a shared database or catalogue.  The year-long project, which is run by the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, with funding from the Humanitarian Innovation Fund in November. While standards on how to deliver humanitarian aid exist, the field lacks a coherent system for data management, both in terms of its collection and storage. HXL’s working group, consisting of representatives of various NGOs and UN and national development agencies, decided to focus on “high-value indicators” that can be compared between different organisations and have a big impact on crisis response efforts More here: http://hxl.humanitarianresponse.info/

AMREF  [to 1 February 2014]

AMREF doctors step in to ease surgical burden in Juba
Published: 30 January 2014 Gaye Agesa
Following the ceasefire agreement signed on January 23, 2014, thousands of people have flooded hospitals across South Sudan in search of medical care.  Five of the seven wards at Juba Teaching Hospital are occupied… Read more

South Sudan: Humanitarian Organisations Commit to Help Civilians
Published: 27 January 2014 Gaye Agesa
Fifty-five major humanitarian non-governmental organisations (NGOs) in South Sudan have expressed their deep concern about the current humanitarian situation in the country and reaffirmed their commitment to help all civilian populations in need … Read more

Aravind Eye Care System  [to 1 February 2014]

Aravind Hosts the 8th Annual Meet of the WAEH
Aravind – Madurai, January 21-25
Aravind Eye Care System hosted the 8th annual meeting of the World Association of Eye Hospitals, a global association of eye hospitals and ophthalmology departments of university hospitals from all over the world. During the meeting, members had the opportunity to get connected to each other and exchange information and knowledge about all kinds of topics, like improving the efficiency in the service given to patients or how to continuously develop patient pathways. Around 100 delegates from eye hospitals from 15 countries attended the meet.

AravindEyeFdtn @AravindEye Jan 30
Aravind CEO Thulsi Ravilla will keynote at Simply Lead // India 2014 – Health 2.0 Events and Conferences http://www.health2con.com/events/conferences/india-2014/#.UuqAedFIFHQ.twitter …
8:40 AM – 30 Jan 2014

BRAC  [to 1 February 2014]

BRAC ‏@BRACworld Jan 30
Join the biggest discussion in #Bangladesh on #mobilemoney & #data this March-http://bit.ly/Mkom4J  @MariaMayhem523 pic.twitter.com/kL4dvxDLIz
4:01 AM – 30 Jan 2014

Susan Davis  ‏@SusanDavisBRAC Jan 28
@BRACworld Country Rep meeting focusing on achieving significant national impact to improve lives of poor. pic.twitter.com/NVJQG4MmBi
Retweeted by BRAC
9:00 PM – 28 Jan 2014

Casa Alianza  [to 1 February 2014]

Trustee recruitment for Casa Alianza UK
Established in 1999, Casa Alianza Charity is a small, independent Non-Governmental Organisation dedicated to the rehabilitation and defence of street children in Latin America. Project partners in Honduras, Nicaragua, Mexico, and Guatemala assist approximately 10,000 homeless children and victims of trafficking a year, of which 2,000 are in full-time care.

100% of the Charity’s income is developed from private trusts, funds and individual supporters. The charity has two paid staff; a Chief Executive and an Office Manager/Administrator.

The Charity wishes to increase its trustee base as it moves through a period of transition and is inviting experienced and dedicated practitioners with proven abilities to strengthen the trustee board…

Casa Alianza UK @CasaAlianzaUK Jan 28
The four Latin American countries where we work fare pretty badly:( #corrupcion #humanrights @anticorruption http://cpi.transparency.org/cpi2013/results/ …
1:00 PM – 28 Jan 2014

Covenant House ‏@CovenantHouse Jan 30
Our findings from one of the largest human trafficking studies among homeless youth in New York. http://bit.ly/1eSWL3f  #NCFYchat
11:50 AM – 30 Jan 2014

Covenant House @CovenantHouse Jan 30
Covenant House Trafficking Assessment Tool http://bit.ly/1fpYMGb  #NCFYchat
11:48 AM – 30 Jan 2014

ECPAT  [to 1 February 2014]

The Fight Against Trafficking of Children for Sexual Purposes: Analysing International & Thai Legislation
The release of ECPAT International’s Journal Series No. 9 on The Fight Against Trafficking of Children for Sexual Purposes: Analysing International and Thai Legislation comes at a significant time for Thailand. In October 2013, Thailand ratified the Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, Especially Women and Children, supplementing the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime. The ratification came into force on November 16, 2013 and represents an important step forward for Thailand, as it will allow for a more collaborative approach to fight against human trafficking, both within the UN system and among other States.

This ECPAT Journal seeks to analyse and explore the legal responses to the phenomenon of child trafficking for sexual purposes as a form of CSEC, both internationally and within Thailand. The articles provide a broad overview of the main international, regional and national instruments produced in the fight against trafficking of children for sexual purposes, the protection of its victims in Thailand and recommendations for ways in which Thailand can move forward in its fight against trafficking and CSEC.

ECPAT hopes that this Journal will be used, not only by Thailand, but by other countries that face similar problems and may benefit from such analysis and recommendations.
Read the journal here: http://resources.ecpat.net/EI/Publications/Journals/Journal2014Jan.pdf

ECPAT International @ECPAT Jan 26
RT @MaitiNepal Anti-trafficking campaign in Western #Nepal was successful, looking forward to a more successful one in Eastern Nepal
10:17 PM – 26 Jan 2014

ECPAT-USA @ecpatusa Jan 27
Today, ECPAT-USA Exec Director Carol Smolenski testifies at a Congressional Hearing. Watch live at 2 PM > http://ow.ly/sXxoZ 
8:10 AM – 27 Jan 2014

Handicap International  [to 1 February 2014]

Handicap Int’l-US @HI_UnitedStates Jan 31
@HI_UnitedStates stands w/ @banminesusa partners in letter to @WhiteHouse Administration: sign 1997 Mine Ban Treaty http://bit.ly/1ftzAP4 !
12:21 PM – 31 Jan 2014

Handicap Int’l-US @HI_UnitedStates Jan 27
Dir. Of @HI_UK writes about #disabled #Syrian refugees and the unique challenges they face http://www.care2.com/causes/disabled-syrian-refugees-face-unique-challenges-and-need-unique-help.html …
5:06 AM – 27 Jan 2014

Handicap Intl UK @HI_UK Jan 24
Looking for quality and up-to-date information resources on disability? Check out the latest update on Source http://bit.ly/1d0O5Fe 
9:45 AM – 24 Jan 2014

Heifer International  [to 1 February 2014]

Heifer International @Heifer Jan 31
Heifer is redefining relief work in the Philippines: http://hefr.in/1lqJXZl 
5:32 PM – 31 Jan 2014

Heifer International @Heifer Jan 30
See how Heifer’s partnership with @Elanco is changing lives in Nepal: http://hefr.in/1hV0RK1 
8:12 PM – 30 Jan 2014

Heifer International @Heifer Jan 28
Africa Programs VP talks about the second phase of the East Africa Dairy Development Program. http://hefr.in/1dLCutK 
12:35 PM – 28 Jan 2014

Heifer International ‏@Heifer Jan 27
RT @HeiferCEO: Video 3:  @Heifer’s #POG in Uganda with @justlikemychild with farmers living with HIV/AIDS http://ireport.cnn.com/docs/DOC-1078360 …
4:49 PM – 27 Jan 2014

HelpAge International  [to 1 February 2014]

HelpAge ‏@helpage Jan 31
Older people count: Making data fit for purpose | Blogs | Global Agewatch Index http://bit.ly/LhWg9l 
8:29 AM – 31 Jan 2014

HelpAge @helpage Jan 29
HelpAge’s Goddy Paul talks to @ABCRadioAU about the disproportionate impact of the Japanese tsunami on older people http://shar.es/US54M 
4:19 AM – 29 Jan 2014

HelpAge ‏@helpage Jan 27
Eduardo Klien, HelpAge East Asia Director, talks to Vatican Radio about older people and the impact of #displacement http://bit.ly/1easnTK 
7:16 AM – 27 Jan 2014

HelpAge @helpage Jan 24
Older people main victims of Japanese earthquake and tsunami: Our new study http://shar.es/UxGX3  via @sharethis
2:21 AM – 24 Jan 2014

International Rescue Committee   [to 1 February 2014]

IRC Blog
Video: ATM cards help Syrian refugees get by
Posted by The IRC on January 31, 2014
Almost 1,600 Syrian refugee and poor Lebanese families have received cash assistance from the IRC to help them survive month-to-month in the past year. The typical amount of monthly assistance is the equivalent of $200, and is provided through the use of ATM bankcards. more »

Hope, opportunity and humanitarian challenges in Congo
Posted by The IRC on January 29, 2014
Visiting the Democratic Republic of Congo for the first time since 2008, IRC president David Miliband shares his perspective: “This huge, haunting, beautiful, deeply complex country with extraordinarily vibrant people – and a very violent recent past – is one of the most testing places for humanitarian action.” more »

Quoted: “Aleppo is to Syria what Sarajevo was to Bosnia”
Posted by The IRC on January 28, 2014
“Aleppo is to Syria what Sarajevo was to Bosnia,” writes IRC president David Miliband in an op-ed published in the Washington Post on the eve of the ongoing Geneva II peace conference. “If Syria is ever to recover its tranquility and beauty, this city must be saved from the hell it currently faces.” more »

Aid groups welcome cease fire in South Sudan, reaffirm commitment to help
Posted by The IRC on January 28, 2014
the IRC and 54 other aid groups working in South Sudan say they have been deeply alarmed at the scale of human suffering seen in the country in the past six weeks, and so welcome the recent cease fire agreement between the government of South Sudan and opposition forces. more »

Intl Rescue Comm IRC @theIRC Jan 31
More from @DMiliband on the importance of humanitarian aid efforts to #DRC #Congo. Interview w/ @bbcworldservice here http://bit.ly/1aMQMA4 
8:08 AM – 31 Jan 2014

Intl Rescue Comm IRC ‏@theIRC Jan 30
IRC in #SouthSudan continues to provide crucial women’s protection & empowerment services to displaced in #Juba pic.twitter.com/UxIw2aLFOx
1:28 PM – 30 Jan 2014

Intl Rescue Comm IRC @theIRC Jan 30
AUDIO: Listen to @DMiliband‘s interview about his IRC visit to the #DRC with @RFI @RFI_English here>> http://bit.ly/1dR82OR 
1:25 PM – 30 Jan 2014

Intl Rescue Comm IRC ‏@theIRC Jan 29
IRC provides emergency assist. to hundreds of thousands in #DRC.Read @DMiliband‘s full account http://bit.ly/1egEhLP  pic.twitter.com/OQwLd0yz7z
9:45 AM – 29 Jan 2014 ·

Intl Rescue Comm IRC @theIRC Jan 28
IRC calls on the US to resettle 12k remaining vulnerable #SyrianRefugees. #SOTU #Syria http://bit.ly/1iHM8pa 
7:08 PM – 28 Jan 2014

IRC Press ‏@IRCPress Jan 27
55 NGOs welcome ceasefire agreement in #SouthSudan, reaffirm commitment to help: http://bit.ly/1iDFal6  @theIRC @SavetheChildren @mercycorps
Retweeted by Intl Rescue Comm IRC
10:17 AM – 27 Jan 2014

Intl Rescue Comm IRC ‏@theIRC Jan 26
IRC is one of the longest standing agencies active in #Ethiopia. Here’s a first-hand account from @DMiliband>> http://bit.ly/1aVnzR3 
9:37 AM – 26 Jan 2014

IRCT   [to 1 February 2014]

News
Statements & declarations
Bolivian IRCT centre targeted
29 January 2014
The IRCT is concerned for the safety of staff at the Institute for Research and Therapy of Torture Sequels and State Violence (ITEI), an IRCT member in Bolivia, following reports of intimidating phone calls, death threats and a robbery of the centre director…

Statements & declarations
IRCT urges Ukraine to address increasing reports of torture
27 January 2014
The IRCT urges the Ukrainian state to guarantee the physical safety of protesters and to urgently and effectively investigate the numerous claims of torture, and to bring all perpetrators of the abuses to justice, in line with national law and international human rights law. Furthermore, the state of Ukraine must guarantee that means are in place to rehabilitate the victims of violence and torture…

MSF/Médecins Sans Frontières  [to 1 February 2014]

January 31, 2014
South Sudan: MSF Staff and Patients Forced to Flee Hospital
After more than 200 patients and dozens of MSF staff were forced to flee MSF’s hospital in Leer, South Sudan, MSF staff are continuing to treat the most severe cases in the bush. Read more »

Doctors w/o Borders ‏@MSF_USA 26m
INFOGRAPHIC: MSF is currently working in 9 of South Sudan’s 10 states. Latest news: http://bit.ly/1bNDeyQ  pic.twitter.com/SqswVoce3y
12:30 PM – 2 Feb 2014

Doctors w/o Borders ‏@MSF_USA 4h
INFOGRAPHIC: Numbers of MSF surgeries & deliveries in South Sudan since mid-Dec. More: http://bit.ly/1egGmch  pic.twitter.com/UmoPqqXBhP
8:00 AM – 2 Feb 2014

Doctors w/o Borders ‏@MSF_USA 21h
INFOGRAPHIC: MSF has held tens of thousands of medical consultations in South Sudan since mid-December. Latest: http://bit.ly/1egFQLi 
3:00 PM – 1 Feb 2014

Doctors w/o Borders ‏@MSF_USA Jan 31
MSF extemely worried about patients & staff who bravely kept working during violence in Unity State, South Sudan http://bit.ly/MF0OZg 
8:47 AM – 31 Jan 2014 ·

Doctors w/o Borders ‏@MSF_USA Jan 28
On @plosblogs MSF’s Helen Bygrave writes about making HIV viral load testing a reality in sub-Saharan Africa http://bit.ly/1evmgpA 
10:40 AM – 28 Jan 2014

Operation Smile  [to 1 February 2014]

Operation Smile SA ‏@OpSmileSA Jan 31
WE ARE ON A BOAT! Operation Smile and the Italian Navy are partnering to bring surgery to ports around Africa and… http://fb.me/2pjoisXgD 
6:49 AM – 31 Jan 2014

Partners In Health  [to 1 February 2014]

Jan 31, 2014
In Her Words: Dr. Ruth Damuse Reflects on Three Years Treating Cancer in Haiti
Dr. Ruth Damuse, oncology program director for Partners In Health in Haiti, has helped provide comprehensive care to patients with breast and other cancers. Read More ▸

Jan 27, 2014
PIH Doctor Helps Train Next Generation of Haitian Physicians
Dr. Michelle Morse, Partners In Health deputy medical director for Haiti, helped develop new medical residencies at University Hospital in Mirebalais. Read More ▸

Partners In Health @PIH 4h
“We can’t say cancer doesn’t happen in poor countries, b/c we see the patients in need.” New blog post: http://ow.ly/tbxwE …
8:20 AM – 2 Feb 2014

Partners In Health ‏@PIH Jan 31
#GIS infographic: National reach, local roots of University Hospital in #Haiti. More info:
6:23 AM – 31 Jan 2014

PATH  [to 1 February 2014]

PATH’s board of directors elected four new board members, described as “international business executives who come from a variety of private-sector backgrounds.” Dr. George Gotsadze, chair of PATH’s board of directors, commented, “As PATH sharpens our focus on improving the health and saving the lives of women and children in the world’s poorest places, we welcome the addition of these four outstanding new board members.  Their global experience and expertise in strategic business management, global health, and public-private partnership will strengthen PATH’s ability to take innovation to scale and increase our impact around the world.” The new members include Kofi Amegashie, MSc; David King, JD; Dr. Felix Olale, MD, PhD; and Raj Vattikuti, MS. Bios on these new members are available in the full announcement here: http://www.path.org/news/press-room/667/

PATH ‏@PATHtweets Jan 29
Muslim leaders in Ethiopia encourage #vaccination. Full story on our blog: http://bit.ly/1e7EthZ .
8:59 AM – 29 Jan 2014

PATH ‏@PATHtweets Jan 29
RT @PATHdrugdev: BLOG: How to make sure partnerships result in real impact, rather than just transaction costs. http://bit.ly/1eTC0Ep 
7:30 PM – 29 Jan 2014

SOS-Kinderdorf International  [to 1 February 2014]

South Sudan: The crisis intensifies
31.01.2014 – The situation in South Sudan has deteriorated, with the SOS Children’s Village in Malakal feeling the full effects of the instability that has blighted the region for months. Hundreds of people in the SOS Children’s Village remain safe, but violence and malnutrition surround them. More…

High standards of transparency::
27.01.2014 – SOS Children’s Villages International becomes full member of INGO Accountability Charter.

Providing safe haven for children in Central African Republic
27.01.2014 – Violence, chaos and killing continue in the Central African Republic (CAR), despite the election of a new, interim president. However, so far none of the mothers or children at the SOS villages in the country has been harmed.

SOS Children USA @SOSChildrenUSA Jan 29
http://ow.ly/i/4qOz5  Learn more about SOS, our history, and our work on our new and improved website! #SOSFamily
8:18 AM – 29 Jan 2014

Children’s Villages ‏@sos4children Jan 27
A ceasefire in South Sudan is welcomed by SOS families living in a region affected by the recent conflict http://www.soschildrensvillages.org.uk/news/sos-families-in-south-sudan-welcome-ceasefire … #SouthSudan
8:20 AM – 27 Jan 2014

Tostan

January 28, 2014
74 communities in Guinea abandon female genital cutting and child/forced marriage
Under a bright and cloudless blue sky in the mountains of Guinea lies a community which on Sunday, January 26, 2014 took center stage for human rights by hosting a public …

January 27, 2014
Religious leaders in Senegal make healthy child development a priority
In partnership with Tostan over the past few months, religious leaders in Senegal have worked together to discuss and spread new knowledge that will improve the wellbeing and …

Tostan ‏@Tostan Jan 28
Last weekend in Tounny, #Guinea, 74 communities abandoned female genital cutting & child/forced marriage! Read more: http://bit.ly/1dLhgMy 
9:46 AM – 28 Jan 2014

Tostan ‏@Tostan Jan 30
Youth and adults in Dila, #Somaliland are collaborating to protect #childrensrights http://bit.ly/1gtOxDU  pic.twitter.com/HzpLgxcanT
7:27 AM – 30 Jan 2014

United Nations – Meetings Coverage and Press Releases [selected] [to 1 February 2014]
http://www.un.org/en/unpress/

Secretary-General Calls on Combatants Everywhere to Respect Olympic Truce, Evoking Hope for More Lasting Ceasefires, Durable Peace, Prosperity (31 January 2014)
SG/SM/15625

Secretary-General Appoints Michael Bloomberg of United States Special Envoy for Cities and Climate Change (31 January 2014)
SG/A/1453-BIO/4561-ENV/DEV/1409

Deputy Secretary-General, at Assembly of African Union, Calls for Strategic Partnership to Boost Continent’s Vitality, Economic Growth, Diversity (30 January 2014)
DSG/SM/739

Secretary-General, at Scientific Advisory Board Meeting, Calls for Cutting-edge Solutions in Place of ‘Burn and Consume’ Approach to Prosperity (30 January 2014)
SG/SM/15624

Secretary-General, at Regional Summit, Praises Efforts of Latin American and Caribbean States in Tackling Social Justice Issues (28 January 2014)
SG/SM/15620

UNICEF [to 1 February 2014]
http://www.unicef.org/media/media_71508.html

UNICEF’s latest data reveal disparities, show need to innovate to advance children’s rights
NEW YORK, 30 January 2014 – Declaring that ‘every child counts’, UNICEF today urged greater effort and innovation to identify and address the gaps that prevent the most disadvantaged of the world’s 2.2 billion children from enjoying their rights.

IKEA’s Soft Toys for Education campaign raises €10.1 million for education programmes for UNICEF and Save the Children
NEW YORK, 30 January 2014 – The annual IKEA Soft Toys for Education campaign ran from November through December 2013 in all IKEA stores around the world. For each soft toy or children’s book purchased, €1 will be donated to UNICEF and Save the Children by the IKEA Foundation.

New data on child malnutrition in Sudan a gold mine, UNICEF says
KHARTOUM, Sudan, 29 January 2014 – Data collected in Sudan is revealing for the first time the difference in performance of health and nutrition services in each of Sudan’s 18 states. This has been thanks to the Simple Spatial Survey Methodology (S3M) used to collect data on child malnutrition.

EU Parliamentarians agree to prevent a lost generation of Syrian children
BRUSSELS, 28 January 2014 – Members of the European Parliament today committed to continue the European Union’s work in supporting children in emergencies, including efforts led by UNICEF to prevent a lost generation of children in Syria.

Dire humanitarian crisis emerging in South Sudan, says UNICEF
BOR, South Sudan, 26 January 2014 – In the wake of the ceasefire signed late last week, UNICEF is warning of a humanitarian crisis unfolding outside Bor town in Jonglei state and other towns in South Sudan.