Zimbabwe: UNICEF appeals for help as asylum-seekers cross border [ 06/01/2009 ]

MUSINA BORDER, South Africa, 5 January 2008 – Women and children sit on a patch of grass under one of a few leafy trees that lessens the heat from the harsh midday sun. They are among the most recent asylum-seekers who are flooding across the border from Zimbabwe.

United Kingdom: Rescuing victims of child sex trafficking [ 05/01/2009 ]

LONDON, United Kingdom, 2 January 2009– Margaret (not her real name) was brought to the UK by a trafficker who promised her a better life. She was told that there was a family in the UK that was interested in caring for her. But when she arrived in the country, she was sold as a prostitute to an older man.

Switzerland: A new reporting system to combat child prostitution is launched in Switzerland [ 05/01/2009 ]

GENEVA, Switzerland, 31 December 2008—UNICEF and its partner, ECPAT Switzerland, have helped to establish the world's first centralized system for reporting on sex tourists.

Togo: UNICEF-supported centre helps rehabilitate child sex workers [ 05/01/2009 ]

LOME, Togo, 31 December 2008 РAt 10 PM on a Friday night, peer educator Roland Awume begins his rounds of outreach work through Lom̩'s 'red light districts'. Mr. Awume works at the UNICEF-supported Centre la Providence, a rehabilitation centre for sex workers.

Somalia: Child Health Days brings vital treatments to rural areas [ 05/01/2009 ]

HARGEISA, Somalia, 2 January 2009 – Ahmed Mahamoud says that he had been too busy to take his son to be vaccinated. His son Shafie, age six, is living with the consequences—he contracted measles during a recent outbreak in Northwest Somalia.

Côte d'Ivoire: Fighting AIDS with both medical and social assistance [ 05/01/2009 ]

BOUAKE, C̫te d'Ivoire, 2 January 2008 Р12-year-old Emily lives a fragile existence. AIDS took the lives of both her parents and she herself is living with HIV. An estimated 74,000 children age 14 and under are living with HIV in the country.

Zambia: UNICEF Zambia appoints its first Child Ambassadors [ 05/01/2009 ]

LUSAKA, Zambia, 2 January 2009 – Making a strong commitment to the importance of involving children in its work and the Convention on the Rights of the Child, UNICEF Zambia has appointed its first Child Ambassadors.

Swaziland: Protection for sexual offence victims in Swaziland [ 05/01/2009 ]

MBABANE, Swaziland,30 December 2008 – In response to concern about the alarming rates of violence against children documented in a 2007 national study conducted by UNICEF and the US Centers for Disease Control, Swaziland has established its first Sexual Offenses Unit for children and young people.

Nigeria: Young people lead the way for AIDS education [ 05/01/2009 ]

KADUNA STATE, Nigeria, 30 Dec 2008 — At the end of the rainy season, Agunu-Dutse village is lush and beautiful. However, the area is poor and the prevalence of HIV/AIDS is high.

Banda Aceh: Radio programme by and for children after the tsunami [ 05/01/2009 ]

BANDA ACEH, Indonesia, 29 December 2008 – Putri Saleh hosts a radio programme tailored just for children, tackling issues ranging from school problems to child abuse.

Myanmar: Life-skills training helps young people to prevent HIV [ 05/01/2009 ]

KYAING TONG, Myanmar, 29 December 2008 – In the village of Wan Ku Thit, a remote Ah Khar ethnic group enclave in Kyaing Tong Township, eastern Shan State, very few people are aware of the risk of HIV and how to prevent AIDS.

Lao PDR: Child Health Days guard children against polio [ 05/01/2009 ]

BAAN HIN PAN, Lao People's Democratic Republic, 26 December, 2008 – From its lofty mountain perch, the little village of Hin Pan commands a majestic view of jagged peaks and thickly wooded valleys. But this spectacular setting also puts this small ethnic Hmong community of approximately 300 people beyond the reach of health and other basic services.

Sri Lanka: Restoring healthcare to tsunami-affected communities [ 05/01/2009 ]

POTTUVIL, Sri Lanka, 26 December 2008 – For the first time since the waves of the tsunami destroyed her home and her family's livelihood, T. Lafara is celebrating a new addition to her family. She cradles a newborn girl in her arms, as she drifts back and forth in the yard outside her home.

Orphans of the tsunami: Four years on, vulnerable children still struggling in Thailand [ 05/01/2009 ]

RANONG, Thailand, 24 December 2008 – Four years after the tsunami swept across Thailand's Andaman coast, normalcy has returned to most hard-hit resort areas. But away from the white sand beaches and neon lights of the tourist strips, the tsunami continues to take its toll on the lives of children orphaned by the disaster.

Niger: UNICEF working to eradicate Guinea worm disease [ 05/01/2009 ]

YOGARE VILLAGE, Niger, 29 December 2008– Not a day passes without Kadri Ne Zeilou Beidari remembering the time when both her twin sons contracted Guinea worm disease.

United Kingdom: Rescuing victims of child sex trafficking [ 05/01/2009 ]

LONDON, United Kingdom, 2 January 2009– Margaret (not her real name) was brought to the UK by a trafficker who promised her a better life. She was told that there was a family in the UK that was interested in caring for her. But when she arrived in the country, she was sold as a prostitute to an older man.

Lessons of the tsunami: Four years on, tremendous improvements can be seen [ 05/01/2009 ]

NEW YORK, USA, 23 December 2008 – The 2004 tsunami left a wake of devastation that stretched across the Indian Ocean. Hundreds of thousands of people were killed. Many more were made homeless. Poor and isolated communities were left struggling to survive.

Congo: Republic of Congo launches roadmap for flour fortification [ 05/01/2009 ]

POINTE NOIRE, Republic of Congo, 22 December 2008 – Congo has launched a 'roadmap' to reduce the prevalence of iron-deficiency anaemia among children and pregnant women by least 30 per cent by 2013. The goal is to be achieved through the fortification of wheat flour with iron and folate.

Leaders pledge that 'Education for All' will not suffer during economic crisis [ 05/01/2009 ]

OSLO, Norway, 22 December 2008 – Heads of State, Ministers, leading officials from international organizations and agencies, and representatives from civil society and the private sector gathered together at the Education for All (EFA) High-Level Group meeting in Oslo, Norway last week. Their common goal: to accelerate progress towards achieving quality education for all girls and boys by 2015.

Zimbabwe: Nigel's Story: The tragedy of Zimbabwe's cholera outbreak [ 05/01/2009 ]

HARARE, Zimbabwe, 19 December 2008 – Deep grief is evident in Nigel Chigudu's eyes. In a tortured voice, he slowly recounts the harrowing tragedy that saw him lose five siblings in five hours to the cholera epidemic that has been sweeping across Zimbabwe.

Germany: Young Belgian photographer wins UNICEF Germany Photo of the Year honours [ 05/01/2009 ]

BERLIN, Germany, 18 December 2008 РBelgian photographer Alice Smeets is the winner of the UNICEF Germany Photo of the Year. Her picture shows a girl in Cit̩ Soleil, the largest slum in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, wearing a clean white dress and ribbons in her hair, despite being surrounded by squalor.

Equatorial Guinea: 'Sports and Peace' initiative launched [ 05/01/2009 ]

MALABO, Equatorial Guinea, 18 December 2008 - A new initiative called 'Sports and Peace' was launched in Equatorial Guinea during a special football match at the Stadium of Malabo in September.

UNICEF Radio Podcast: A conversation with Desmond Tutu [ 05/01/2009 ]

NEW YORK, USA, 18 December 2008 – This week the Government of Norway is hosting the Education For All High-Level Group Meeting in Oslo to discuss progress made and challenges faced in providing quality education for all children. For the first time, the annual meeting is being held in a donor country.

Malaysia: Inspiring women to make a difference for children [ 05/01/2009 ]

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia, 18 December 2008 – Thousands of children in Malaysia either live in homes with a family member who is living with HIV, have been orphaned by AIDS or are living with the virus themselves.These children may have their childhood, education and opportunities affected by the stigma and discrimination attached to HIV.

Columbia: Flooding in Colombia brings destruction and disease [ 05/01/2009 ]

PUERTO CASABE, Colombia, 17 December 2008 – In Puerto Casabe there are 60 families, 98 children, 100 adults and a lot of water. Every year, the majestic Magdalena river floods their wood and brick homes.

Thailand: UNICEF brings schools to hill tribe children [ 05/01/2009 ]

BAN MAE SURIN NOI, Thailand, 17 December 2008 – In the highlands of Thailand's Mae Hong Son province there is a newly constructed three-room structure. It is a simple building, made of rough plank floors, partial bamboo walls and a tin roof, but it offers the children in the area something they did not have before: a formal primary education.

DR Congo: Japanese grant provides clean water and sanitation for schools [ 05/01/2009 ]

MONGA FULA, Democratic Republic of the Congo, 17 December 2008 – Kiboko Primary school was built in the 1950s, before the Democratic Republic of Congo gained independence. It has 363 pupils, including 169 girls and, until recently, it had no sanitation facilities or sources of safe drinking water.

Philippines: Youths drawn into online sexual exploitation [ 05/01/2009 ]

CEBU, Philippines, 15 December 2008 РIn a poor shanty in the Central Philippines city of Cebu, a tiny internet caf̩ offers broadband connectivity with the outside world. In a place that lacks running water, the opportunities presented by the existence of the worldwide web are boundless.

Thailand: New report reveals children suffer anxiety, yearn for peace [ 05/01/2009 ]

BANGKOK, Thailand, 15 December 2008 – Children living in Thailand's restive southernmost provinces suffer both anxiety and stress due to the daily threat of violence and yearn for the day that they can live in peace, according to a report released today by UNICEF Thailand.

Russian Federation: UNICEF unites young leaders from eight North Caucasus regions for peace [ 05/01/2009 ]

NALCHIK, Russian Federation, 12 December 2008 – Last month, on the International Day for Tolerance, roughly 150 volunteers and children from 8 regions of the North Caucasus gathered in Nalchik for the first-ever Congress of Young Peace Builders.

South Africa: Speak Africa initiative brings together youth activists to fight for the rights of African youth [ 05/01/2009 ]

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa, 12 December 2008 – On the occasion of the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, Speak Africa youth activists from 13 African countries joined the African Union to call for urgent action to protect the rights of young people.

DR Congo: Goodwill Ambassador Mia Farrow witnesses devastation and emergency relief [ 05/01/2009 ]

NORTH KIVU, Democratic Republic of the Congo, 12 December 2008 – UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador Mia Farrow is visiting conflict-affected North Kivu, on a three-day mission to eastern Democratic Republic of Congo.

Iraq: Children make an 'Appeal' for their rights to government leaders [ 05/01/2009 ]

BAGDHAD, Iraq, 12 December 2008 – The Iraq Children's Appeal, crafted by and for young people, was launched in Baghdad recently, as part of a special project between UNICEF and the non-governmental organization Al-Amal to help promote a culture of children's rights in Iraq

'Beyond School Books' podcast series: Recovery through Education [ 05/01/2009 ]

NEW YORK, USA,11 December 2008 – Ishamel Beah, Grace Akallo and Kon Kelei know the consequences of war. All three have lived through and participated in conflict in their native countries of Sierra Leone, Uganda and Sudan. They share not only common experiences as former child soldiers, but also agree that it was education that enabled them to become the writers and advocates they are today.

Chile: Saying 'no' to discrimination [ 05/01/2009 ]

SANTIAGO, Chile, 11 December 2008 – An initiative aimed at strengthening integration and promoting non-discrimination within the Carabineros (Police) has been launched by the Carabineros Undersecretary Javiera Blanco; Head of the Metropolitan Zone Carabineros Inspector General Raul Arellano; and UNICEF's Representative in Chile Egidio Crotti.

DR Congo: Goodwill Ambassador Mia Farrow arrives in North Kivu [ 05/01/2009 ]

NORTH KIVU, Democratic Republic of the Congo, 11 December 2008 – UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador Mia Farrow arrived in conflict-affected North Kivu today, at the start of a three-day mission to eastern Democratic Republic of Congo.

Netherlands: Young Iraqi filmmaker wins 'OneMinutesJr.' Award [ 05/01/2009 ]

AMSTERDAM, Netherlands, 11 December 2008 – Mohammed Majid al-Ghazali, age 15, is an Iraqi currently living in Jordan. He just won the 2008 'OneMinutesJr.' award. His winning film, Accident, was produced during a UNICEF 'OneMinutesJr.' workshop in Amman, Jordan, where youth were asked to make films that reflected the rights from the Convention on the Rights of the Child.

Nepal: Young Peer Supporters fight against sexual exploitation of children [ 05/01/2009 ]

KATHMANDU, Nepal, 10 December 2008 – Last week, organizations and groups of young people from around the world gathered in Brazil to bring attention to the problem of child trafficking and sexual exploitation at the World Congress Against the Sexual Exploitation of Children and Adolescents. One young activist from Nepal, 16-year-old Parwati, spoke to UNICEF Radio before the Congress about the efforts she is making to help children in her country.

UN's Universal Declaration of Human Rights Turns 60 [ 05/01/2009 ]

NEW YORK, USA, 10 December 2008 – Six decades ago the United Nations brought the Universal Declaration of Human Rights to life. Today, the rights enshrined in the Declaration are considered, simply, universal values. In 1948, however, the idea of universal rights for all was nothing short of revolutionary.

Viet Nam: Launch of the first World Report on Child Injury Prevention [ 05/01/2009 ]

HANOI, Viet Nam, 10 December 2008 – A ceremony was held today in Hanoi to mark the launch of the first World Report on Child Injury Prevention. The report was jointly prepared by UNICEF, the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Government of Viet Nam, with input from more than 180 experts from 56 different countries.

Pakistan: With UNICEF Support, Pakistan launches a National Campaign against Child Abuse [ 05/01/2009 ]

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan,10 December 2008 – Last month, on Universal Children's Day, Pakistan launched its National Campaign against Child Abuse. The event brought together children, policymakers, social and development workers, diplomats, representatives of UN agencies, civil society organisations and the media.

South Africa: New PSA asks young people to demand that their leaders ratify Youth Charter [ 05/01/2009 ]

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa, 10 December 2008 – Thirty-six youth activists from 13 African countries have gathered in Johannesburg to mark today's 60th anniversary of the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The group – joined by UNICEF Regional Ambassador Yvonne Chaka Chaka and UNICEF Advocate for Youth and South African television and radio personality Kabelo "KB" Ngakane – also calls on African leaders to protect the rights of young people by ratifying the African Youth Charter.

Afghanistan: A food crisis in the harshest of seasons [ 05/01/2009 ]

BAMYAN, Afghanistan,9 December 2008 – For the people of Afghanistan, it's fast becoming one crisis too many. Already wrecked by war and insurgency, they are now battling a new force – a food crisis in the harshest of seasons.

Viet Nam: 'Child-Safe Home' model helps reduce child drowning [ 05/01/2009 ]

DONG THAP PROVINCE, Viet Nam, 5 December 2008 – Ten children die every day from drowning in Viet Nam, where it is the number one cause of injury-related death among children over the age of one. In the province of Dong Thap alone, 202 children died from drowning during 2005 and 2006.

Palestinian children exercise their right to play at the 2008 Global Peace Games [ 05/01/2009 ]

WEST BANK, Occupied Palestinian Territory, 5 December 2008 – Hundreds of Palestinian children from various cities, villages and refugee camps came to Ramallah to celebrate Global Peace Day by exercising their right to play at the 2008 Global Peace Games for Children and Youth, held at Majed Al Asad stadium.

Uganda: Mira Nair film highlights plight of vulnerable children [ 05/01/2009 ]

GENEVA, Switzerland, 4 December 2008–The voices of Uganda's most vulnerable children are being heard, thanks to a documentary film produced by the critically acclaimed director Mira Nair, in association with UNICEF.

Deputy Executive Director Hilde F. Johnson asks donors to 'step up to the plate' with support [ 05/01/2009 ]

NAIROBI, Kenya, 4 December 2008 – UNICEF has appealed for funds to help support families in the Dadaab camp in North Eastern Kenya who have fled worsening conflict in Somalia.

World Bank and UNICEF strengthen funding collaboration [ 05/01/2009 ]

NEW YORK, USA, 3 December 2008 – The World Bank and UNICEF have strengthened their collaborative partnership in an effort to ensure the effective and smooth flow of funds in emergency, conflict and post conflict situations.

Nigeria: First Lady Hajia Turai Yar'Adua supports maternal and newborn health with 'Mama Kits' [ 05/01/2009 ]

ABUJA, Nigeria, 4 December 2008 – Nigerian First Lady Hajia Turai Yar'Adua has pledged her commitment to maternal mortality reduction in Nigeria.

Great Ethiopian Run raises funds for vulnerable children [ 05/01/2009 ]

ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia, 4 December 2008 - At the crack of dawn, 32,000 registered participants came together in Maskal Square to participate in Africa's biggest 10 km road race – the Great Ethiopian Run. UNICEF and the Great Ethiopian Run have been partners for the past three years, committed to fighting HIV/AIDS in Ethiopia.