UNICEF [to 14 June 2014]
http://www.unicef.org/media/media_71508.html
Media Releases [selected]
Measles threatens thousands of Somali children
Joint UNICEF/WHO Press Release
Excerpt
/GAROWE/HARGEISA, Somalia, 10 June 2014 – Outbreaks of measles in several regions have left thousands of Somali children at risk of disability or death if they are not urgently vaccinated against the highly contagious disease.
In March and April 2014 there were over 1350 suspected cases of measles – four times the number seen during the same period last year and nearly 1000 cases were reported in May alone.
In response, the health authorities, with the support of UNICEF, the World Health Organization (WHO) and partners, conducted small scale vaccination campaigns and will carry out larger emergency campaigns in the most affected areas of Bari, Nugaal, Mudug, Banadir and Lower Juba in June targeting half a million children under five.
‘We have a very high number of malnourished Somali children,’ said Sikander Khan, UNICEF Somalia Representative. ‘Malnourished children here are more susceptible to disease – and are more likely to die or suffer lifelong disability such as blindness, deafness or brain damage as a result of contracting measles.’
Two decades of conflict have decimated Somalia’s health sector, leaving the country with some of the worst health and nutrition indicators in the world. An estimated one in five children dies before their fifth birthday – with measles as one of the main causes.
‘This is extremely alarming. There is a very poor health care system due to the years of conflict,’ said Dr. Ghulam Popal, WHO Somalia Representative. ‘We know there have been extremely low immunization rates among Somali children and we need to urgently ensure as many as possible are vaccinated.’
It is estimated that less than a third of Somali children under one year were vaccinated against measles in 2013 through routine immunization services. In some areas in central and southern Somalia insecurity has meant that immunization coverage is as low as 15 per cent.
WHO and UNICEF say that a nationwide measles campaigns need to be urgently conducted to prevent thousands of avoidable deaths. This would involve vaccinating about 5 million children and youth from 9 months to 15 years at an estimated cost of US$ 9 million….
UNICEF reaction to the Global Summit to End Sexual Violence in Conflict
LONDON/NEW YORK, 13 June 2014 – UNICEF welcomes commitments made at the Global Summit to End Sexual Violence in Conflict to stop the rape and abuse of children and women – and calls for more countries to take practical action.
Six months after fighting reaches capital, no end to horror for children in Central African Republic violence: UNICEF
GENEVA/BANGUI, Central African Republic, 13 June 2014 – Six months since intense fighting reached Central African Republic’s capital, Bangui, scores of children have been killed, hundreds have been maimed and thousands have been displaced.
Thousands of children at risk as families flee Iraqi city of Mosul: UNICEF
NEW YORK/AMMAN/BAGHDAD, 11 June 2014 – Around 500,000 people, up to half of them children, have been forced to flee their homes since violence erupted on 5 June in the Iraqi city of Mosul, authorities say, and the violence is spreading.
Measles threatens thousands of Somali children
MOGADISHU/GAROWE/HARGEISA, Somalia, 10 June 2014 – Outbreaks of measles in several regions have left thousands of Somali children at risk of disability or death if they are not urgently vaccinated against the highly contagious disease.
Dramatic increase of unaccompanied children seeking to enter the United States
NEW YORK, 10 June 2014 – “UNICEF welcomes the urgent relief efforts by the Government of the United States to address a record increase in the number of unaccompanied children, mostly from Central America, seeking to enter the US.
UNICEF statement on the gang-rape and killing of teenaged girls in Uttar Pradesh, India
NEW YORK, 10 June 2014 – Last week the United Nations spoke as one to condemn the horrific gang-rape and killing of two young girls in Uttar Pradesh, India. Today, as we hear reports of yet another rape and murder of a 13-year old girl in the same state, UNICEF renews the call for justice: justice for the victims of these brutal crimes, for their families, and for the millions of girls and victims around the world who fall prey to brutal sexual violence.
UNICEF Spain appoints Sergio Ramos as its newest National Ambassador
CURITIBA, Brazil, 10 June 2014 – Real Madrid and Spanish National Team star football player, Sergio Ramos, was appointed today as UNICEF Spain’s newest ambassador during an event with youth in the Brazilian city of Curitiba where he is participating in a UNICEF program for the promotion of fair play and the right to sport.
Norway proves itself a true champion of children’s rights with record donation
NEW YORK, 9 June 2014 – Norway contributed $98.5 million to UNICEF in a record-breaking agreement, signed today. The funds, which will be used thematically, will help UNICEF to reach even more of the world’s most vulnerable children.
Media advisory: Addressing sexual violence is life-saving, not optional
“Sexual violence is the weapon of war that ceases to die. It is a global tragedy that destroys the lives of the women, girls and boys who are raped and abused. Sexual violence during conflict also engrains itself into society, so that when war is over it continues alone, causing unbearable suffering. Programmes that prevent sexual violence are life-saving. This has to be recognized. To have results though they have to be implemented within the whole response package as soon as conflict hits.” said Susan Bissell, UNICEF Chief of Child Protection.
Attack on school in Mosul, Iraq
Baghdad/Erbil, IRAQ, 8 June 2014 – UNICEF is horrified by reports from the northern Iraqi city of Mosul of multiple child casualties when a school was directly targeted by mortar fire during clashes between militants and government forces on Saturday 7 June. Any attack which targets children or schools is a grave violation against the rights of the child as outlined in Security Council Resolutions 1612 and 1882.
