UNICEF concerned for children in the Philippines as Super Typhoon Mawar/Betty enters Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR)
MANILA – WEBWIRE – Monday, May 29, 2023
Typhoon Mawar (local name Betty) has entered the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) today and will remain a Super Typhoon this weekend. Government forecasts possible heavy rainfall, flooding and landslides north of the Philippines.
UNICEF expresses its concern for children and families who continue to pay the price for extreme weather brought about by climate change. On Wednesday, UNICEF released a report that revealed that nearly all children in the Philippines face multiple, overlapping types of climate and environmental shocks, hazards and stresses. UNICEF is committed and ready to provide support to the Philippine Government to reach the most vulnerable.
UNICEF as co-leader of the WASH, education, nutrition and child protection clusters is in regular communication with partners at the national and local levels.
Childrens right to survive and thrive is threatened by climate and environmental hazards and shocks, said UNICEF Representative Oyunsaikhan Dendevnorov. Every child should be given the skills to adapt. Urgent action is needed from governments, businesses and donors to invest in building climate-smart social services. No child should be displaced or struggle to survive after a typhoon.
UNICEF has prepositioned emergency supplies for nearly 10,000 families to respond to affected peoples needs for safe drinking water, sanitation, hygiene, nutrition, education, and child protection. These supplies include schools-in-a-box, family hygiene and dignity kits, tents, water purification tablets, and ready-to-use therapeutic food, among others. UNICEF is ready to distribute these supplies on short notice and activate partners for immediate distribution.
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UNICEF works in some of the worlds toughest places, to reach the worlds most disadvantaged children. Across more than 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, to build a better world for everyone.
NEW YORK – WEBWIRE – Tuesday, March 21, 2023
Its deeply disappointing to learn that, once again, the de facto authorities in Afghanistan have prevented girls from attending secondary school. This unjustified and shortsighted decision has crushed the hopes and dreams of more than one million girls, and marks another grim milestone in the steady erosion of girls and womens rights nationwide. Girls across Afghanistan have been denied their right to learn for over three years first, due to COVID-19, and then because of the ban on attending secondary school. The cumulative impact of these absences is taking a terrible toll on girls mental health, overall wellbeing and on their futures. Girls and adolescents, including those with disabilities, have the right to an education. Preventing girls from learning will also have far-reaching consequences for the countrys economy and health system. There is a chorus of girls voices all over Afghanistan urging us to find practical solutions for their education. Maryam, a sixth grader, told my UNICEF colleagues in Afghanistan, Going to school is the light of life. If we dont go to school, our lives will be dark. UNICEF stands with every girl and woman in Afghanistan and calls on the de facto authorities to allow all girls to return to school with immediate effect. Girls must be allowed to continue their education, protect their mental health, and contribute to the future of their country. ### About UNICEF UNICEF works in some of the worlds toughest places, to reach the worlds most disadvantaged children. Across more than 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, to build a better world for everyone. Key Highlights: The “COVID Teeka Sang Surakshit Van, DhanaurUddyam” campaign was virtually launched by Shri Arjun Munda, Minister forTribal Affairs, Government of India on 15th July, 2021 to accelerate the pace of Covid vaccination among tribal communities of India. The campaign was launched through video conferencing link-up with field camps in Mandla in Madhya Pradesh and Bastar in Chhattisgarh in the presence of Shri Faggan Singh Kulaste, Minister of State for Steel;Ministers of State for Tribal Affairs,Smt. Renuka Singh and Shri BishweswarTudu; MD TRIFED Shri Pravir Krishna;Dr.RodericoOfrin, WHO Representative and Dr. Yasmin Ali Haque, UNICEF India Representative and other dignitaries. TRIFED in collaboration with UNICEF and WHO has planned to roll out this campaign across the country, with the help of partner agencies at State level in tribal districts. The campaign targets to leverage the 45,000 Van Dhan Self Help Groups (VDSHGs) of the Tribal Co-operative Marketing Development Federation of India (TRIFED) to promote livelihoods with health. This campaign is designed to connect tribal communities from across the country emphasizing that the COVID-19 vaccination is free, available in the nearby centres and not only protects people from hospitalization cost and death but also helps them to continue with their bread earning activities. As an outcome of this campaign undertaken by TRIFED in association with UNICEF and WHO, it is estimated that approx. 6.73 crores vaccinations were administered in tribal districts. The campaign is based on 3 J’s: The aforesaid campaign focusses on reassurance, pride and self-efficacy. Its motive is to fast track the activities of Van Dhan Self-Help Groups, and accelerate the pace of COVID vaccination among tribals engaged in procurement, value addition and marketing of handlooms, handicrafts and forest produces. The campaign leverages the strength and network of Self-Help Groups and other common touch points – Common Service Centres, fertilizer outlet centres, Haats and Bazaars, VDSHGs etc. It employs publicity measures in local languages to promote vaccine uptake and COVID Appropriate Behaviour. The campaign also uses non-traditional partnerships and community reach for mobilization and collective action such as involvement of traditional leaders and incentivize adoption of vaccines through local health structures and TRIFED’s influencers in tribal districts. A series of webinars in this regard has also been conducted covering all the states with about 3000participations from VDSHGs, Clusters, representatives of SIA, SNA, SFURTI TA, UNICEF, WHO, Suppliers, District administration, local influencers of the respective regions. This was followed diligently by organising various awareness campaigns physically in about 80 tribal districts across the country. About 150 TRIFED’s influencers were identified in tribal districts to support the campaign by driving the tribals to get vaccinated. As an outcome of this campaign undertaken by TRIFED in association with UNICEF and WHO, it is estimated that approx. 6.73 crores vaccinations were administered in tribal districts. The campaign is targeted to overcome two challenging waves, gained experience and are determined to stop the third wave in tribal districts, free of COVID infection and restrictions on livelihood activities. *** NB/SK (Release ID: 1758962)UNICEF calls on de facto authorities to allow girls to return to secondary school in Afghanistan immediately
Statement by UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell on the start of the new school year in Afghanistan
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