Operation Blessing Hunger Strike Force trucks continued transportation and delivery of emergency equipment, food and supplies to The Salvation Army in support of mass feeding programs in Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama.
Satellite Phones were secured for OBI staff to carry into hardest hit areas where cell service is out. Phones will be made available for free use of storm victims, giving them an opportunity to call loved ones who may not know that they are alive.
Heavy-duty generators have been purchased for Louisiana and Mississippi churches acting as shelters for evacuees in areas where power is out.
Hundreds of cots have also been bought for use in Houston churches acting as evacuee shelters. OBI's partner Somebody Cares Houston has been given $28,000 for purchase of food, cots, blankets, and hygiene supplies for network of (20) churches housing evacuees.
Operation Blessing funded $25,000 to Church of God Disaster Relief for support of feeding kitchen and debris removal in Gulf Port, Mississippi. Additionally, frozen chicken and food was delivered by OBI to The Healing Place Church in Baton Rouge, LA for mass feeding of victims. The Healing Place is also serving as drop-off and distribution point for donations of food and clothing and supporting teams of volunteers for debris removal.
OBI funded $10,000 to Hosanna Church for groceries, food vouchers and baby supplies to be distributed to evacuees in east Houston. Hosanna serves as drop-off point for local food and clothing donations.
Operation Blessing supplied $10,000 to Community in Action for purchase of food vouchers, clothing and baby supplies. This Houston volunteer organization has mobile teams focused on helping evacuees housed in Houston motels and hotels. OBI also funded $10,000 to Somebody Cares Beaumont, TX to assist them in care of 1,200 evacuees housed in Ford Center.
Operation Blessing
понедельник, 20 июня 2011 г.
воскресенье, 19 июня 2011 г.
3.5 Million Drought-hit Kenyans In Need Of Assistance
The Government of Kenya and WFP have announced that 3.5 million Kenyans are running out of food because of the complete failure of the short rains, nearly tripling the number Kenyans in need of emergency food assistance.
According to a comprehensive Short-Rains Food Security Assessment in January - coordinated by the Kenya Food Security Steering Group made up of the Government of Kenya, WFP, FAO and other UN and non-governmental agencies - 395,000 metric tons of food aid will be required.
"Our detailed assessment found that the worst affected regions are the pastoral areas covering the northern districts of the Rift Valley and Eastern provinces, the entire North Eastern Province and parts of the Coast," said John Munyes, Kenya's Minister of State, Office of the President, Special Programmes.
"These areas depend on livestock production for income and food. Malnutrition rates among children are alarmingly high and the areas have already seen large numbers of livestock deaths," he said.
Failed rains
The January assessment found that the short rains completely failed over large areas of eastern and northern Kenya, adversely impacting the lives of pastoralists and farmers in 25 districts.
"Many Kenyans - facing a fifth consecutive season of failed or poor rains -- are already living on the edge and unless donors respond immediately, we fear for the worst," said WFP Country Director Tesema Negash.
Fresh pledges needed
"The rains have failed, and to save lives in the coming weeks and months ahead, it is essential that both cash and in-kind contributions of food are made today to assist with WFP's and the Government's emergency response. Without fresh pledges, WFP will not be able to meet March needs," he said.
With thousands of livestock dying, and with that number expected to continue to dramatically increase as the drought intensifies, an increasing number of pastoralists are not able to provide for themselves.
According to the short rains food security assessment report, rates of global acute malnutrition among children under five have risen steeply in the northeast of the country to between 18 and 30 percent.
This is particularly worrying because 15 percent is considered an emergency level.
Low food stocks
Farmers in eastern Kenya who depend on the short rains for their main harvest are also in desperate need of assistance.
As a result of the lack of rainfall, their crops have failed. Successive seasons of poor rain mean they have little food stocks to tap.
The drought emergency operation was initially launched in July 2004 for six months after poor long rains in eastern, southern and parts of northern Kenya left 2.3 million people in need of assistance.
Urgent donor appeal
With the partial failure of the 2004 short rains from October to December and the 2005 long rains from March to June, the operation has twice been extended to reflect the evolving nature of the situation, first for 2 million people from March to August 2005, and then 1.2 million from August 2005 to Feb 2006.
In December, WFP issued an urgent appeal to donors once it was clear that the rains had failed and there was an impending aggravation of the crisis.
"Working through the already existing targeting and distribution mechanisms, we can ensure that food aid reaches those in need at the right time and in the right quantities," said Munyes.
School feeding expanded
"Last week, the Government of Kenya pledged 60,000 metric tons of maize, worth US$15 million to the operation and we hope the international community will now follow suit and respond to this urgent appeal," he said.
In addition to general food distributions for the three million Kenyans identified in 25 districts as currently in need of assistance, WFP will expand its school feeding programme to reach a total of 500,000 primary school children affected by drought.
This is in addition to the 1.1 million the agency regularly reaches through its joint Government of Kenya school feeding programme.
Pregant mothers supported
Within the three million targeted beneficiaries, WFP will provide additional support to some 381,000 pregnant and lactating mothers and children under five through a supplementary feeding programme, in close collaboration with UNICEF and other specialized agencies.
WFP will urgently need fresh donations, particularly cash, to cover the associated costs of moving food contributions by the Government of Kenya or allow local purchases of food aid in Western Kenya which has not been affected by drought.
Without fresh pledges, WFP will not be able to meet next month's food aid needs.
Deterioration
"Since 1999, 2003 was the only year when the country did not face a humanitarian crisis because of drought. With the prospects of another poor rainy season from March to June, we fear the situation will only deteriorate and the suffering, continue," said Negash.
"Families have lost their coping strategies and many Kenyans, whether they rely on livestock or marginal farming, have completely lost their livelihoods."
wfp
According to a comprehensive Short-Rains Food Security Assessment in January - coordinated by the Kenya Food Security Steering Group made up of the Government of Kenya, WFP, FAO and other UN and non-governmental agencies - 395,000 metric tons of food aid will be required.
"Our detailed assessment found that the worst affected regions are the pastoral areas covering the northern districts of the Rift Valley and Eastern provinces, the entire North Eastern Province and parts of the Coast," said John Munyes, Kenya's Minister of State, Office of the President, Special Programmes.
"These areas depend on livestock production for income and food. Malnutrition rates among children are alarmingly high and the areas have already seen large numbers of livestock deaths," he said.
Failed rains
The January assessment found that the short rains completely failed over large areas of eastern and northern Kenya, adversely impacting the lives of pastoralists and farmers in 25 districts.
"Many Kenyans - facing a fifth consecutive season of failed or poor rains -- are already living on the edge and unless donors respond immediately, we fear for the worst," said WFP Country Director Tesema Negash.
Fresh pledges needed
"The rains have failed, and to save lives in the coming weeks and months ahead, it is essential that both cash and in-kind contributions of food are made today to assist with WFP's and the Government's emergency response. Without fresh pledges, WFP will not be able to meet March needs," he said.
With thousands of livestock dying, and with that number expected to continue to dramatically increase as the drought intensifies, an increasing number of pastoralists are not able to provide for themselves.
According to the short rains food security assessment report, rates of global acute malnutrition among children under five have risen steeply in the northeast of the country to between 18 and 30 percent.
This is particularly worrying because 15 percent is considered an emergency level.
Low food stocks
Farmers in eastern Kenya who depend on the short rains for their main harvest are also in desperate need of assistance.
As a result of the lack of rainfall, their crops have failed. Successive seasons of poor rain mean they have little food stocks to tap.
The drought emergency operation was initially launched in July 2004 for six months after poor long rains in eastern, southern and parts of northern Kenya left 2.3 million people in need of assistance.
Urgent donor appeal
With the partial failure of the 2004 short rains from October to December and the 2005 long rains from March to June, the operation has twice been extended to reflect the evolving nature of the situation, first for 2 million people from March to August 2005, and then 1.2 million from August 2005 to Feb 2006.
In December, WFP issued an urgent appeal to donors once it was clear that the rains had failed and there was an impending aggravation of the crisis.
"Working through the already existing targeting and distribution mechanisms, we can ensure that food aid reaches those in need at the right time and in the right quantities," said Munyes.
School feeding expanded
"Last week, the Government of Kenya pledged 60,000 metric tons of maize, worth US$15 million to the operation and we hope the international community will now follow suit and respond to this urgent appeal," he said.
In addition to general food distributions for the three million Kenyans identified in 25 districts as currently in need of assistance, WFP will expand its school feeding programme to reach a total of 500,000 primary school children affected by drought.
This is in addition to the 1.1 million the agency regularly reaches through its joint Government of Kenya school feeding programme.
Pregant mothers supported
Within the three million targeted beneficiaries, WFP will provide additional support to some 381,000 pregnant and lactating mothers and children under five through a supplementary feeding programme, in close collaboration with UNICEF and other specialized agencies.
WFP will urgently need fresh donations, particularly cash, to cover the associated costs of moving food contributions by the Government of Kenya or allow local purchases of food aid in Western Kenya which has not been affected by drought.
Without fresh pledges, WFP will not be able to meet next month's food aid needs.
Deterioration
"Since 1999, 2003 was the only year when the country did not face a humanitarian crisis because of drought. With the prospects of another poor rainy season from March to June, we fear the situation will only deteriorate and the suffering, continue," said Negash.
"Families have lost their coping strategies and many Kenyans, whether they rely on livestock or marginal farming, have completely lost their livelihoods."
wfp
суббота, 18 июня 2011 г.
Registering Every Birth And Death - And Certifying Every Cause Of Death, Globally
The cover of The Lancet's series booklet Who Counts? has the following phrase, "Too many people, especially the poor, are never counted; they are born, and live and die uncounted and ignored."
At the beginning of the Series there is a comment by The Lancet's editor, Dr. Richard Horton, in which he writes "This 'scandal of invisibility' means that millions of human beings are born and die without leaving any record of their existence. Over three-quarters of them are to be found in sub-Saharan Africa and South-East Asia."
Documentation of a person's existence authenticates his/her citizenship for a start, and represents the initial step in making sure they have a right to life, freedom, and protection, the author explains. Over the last four decades there has been little progress in counting human lives around the globe, according to Who Counts?
"Today, less than a third of the world's population is covered by accurate data on births and deaths. Far greater global urgency needs to be injected into this challenge," Dr. Horton writes. He says there should be robust and effective national statistics systems at country level, strong government ministries, legal systems, civil service and local information networks. There should also be a vocal civil society which urges and makes governments act. "The health sector can be an important catalyst in this effort."
"Globally, there is a gap. No single UN agency currently has responsibility for registering births and deaths. This absence has led the Who Counts? team to call for a new international body to improve civil registration efforts. But they concede that the likelihood of a new organization being inaugurated is low. In the interim, they urge donors and global partners to do more to promote and support registration systems. Ultimately, this campaign is about how much each of us values the life of every other human being. It is a test of our humanity," Horton concludes.
thelancet
Written by:
At the beginning of the Series there is a comment by The Lancet's editor, Dr. Richard Horton, in which he writes "This 'scandal of invisibility' means that millions of human beings are born and die without leaving any record of their existence. Over three-quarters of them are to be found in sub-Saharan Africa and South-East Asia."
Documentation of a person's existence authenticates his/her citizenship for a start, and represents the initial step in making sure they have a right to life, freedom, and protection, the author explains. Over the last four decades there has been little progress in counting human lives around the globe, according to Who Counts?
"Today, less than a third of the world's population is covered by accurate data on births and deaths. Far greater global urgency needs to be injected into this challenge," Dr. Horton writes. He says there should be robust and effective national statistics systems at country level, strong government ministries, legal systems, civil service and local information networks. There should also be a vocal civil society which urges and makes governments act. "The health sector can be an important catalyst in this effort."
"Globally, there is a gap. No single UN agency currently has responsibility for registering births and deaths. This absence has led the Who Counts? team to call for a new international body to improve civil registration efforts. But they concede that the likelihood of a new organization being inaugurated is low. In the interim, they urge donors and global partners to do more to promote and support registration systems. Ultimately, this campaign is about how much each of us values the life of every other human being. It is a test of our humanity," Horton concludes.
thelancet
Written by:
пятница, 17 июня 2011 г.
APA Offers Resources On Managing Traumatic Stress In Wake Of Haiti Earthquake
For those who may be struggling to cope from a distance or are having trouble dealing with the images of the Haiti earthquake aftermath, the American Psychological Association (APA) offers free resources on managing distress from afar and tips for recovering from disasters on its Psychology Help Center.
"The sheer number of lost lives, the wounded and the destruction of homes and communities as a result of the earthquake is tragic," said APA President Carol Goodheart, Ed.D. "This is also a difficult time for those who are witnessing from a distance the loss of friends and family and the destruction of land in their native country."
People living in the United States who have lost family and friends or are waiting for news of their loved ones are most likely to feel distress about this disaster. APA offers the following tips to help people mange any distress:
. Take a news break. Watching endless replays of footage from the disaster can make your stress even greater. Although you will want to keep informed - especially if you have loved ones in Haiti - taking a break from watching the news or social media updates can lessen your distress.
. Control what you can. There are routines in your life that you can continue, such as going to work or school and making meals. It helps to maintain these routines to give yourself a break from constantly thinking about the earthquake.
. Find a productive way to help if you can. Many organizations are providing various forms of aid to survivors. Contributing or volunteering is a positive action that can help you to make a difference.
. Keep things in perspective. While an earthquake can bring tremendous hardship and loss, remember to focus on the things that are good in your life. Persevere and trust in your ability to get through the challenging days ahead.
For additional information on managing traumatic stress in the aftermath of disasters, visit APA's Help Center. And follow the APA Help Center on Twitter and read APA's Mind/Body Health campaign blog, Your Mind Your Body.
Source
The American Psychological Association
"The sheer number of lost lives, the wounded and the destruction of homes and communities as a result of the earthquake is tragic," said APA President Carol Goodheart, Ed.D. "This is also a difficult time for those who are witnessing from a distance the loss of friends and family and the destruction of land in their native country."
People living in the United States who have lost family and friends or are waiting for news of their loved ones are most likely to feel distress about this disaster. APA offers the following tips to help people mange any distress:
. Take a news break. Watching endless replays of footage from the disaster can make your stress even greater. Although you will want to keep informed - especially if you have loved ones in Haiti - taking a break from watching the news or social media updates can lessen your distress.
. Control what you can. There are routines in your life that you can continue, such as going to work or school and making meals. It helps to maintain these routines to give yourself a break from constantly thinking about the earthquake.
. Find a productive way to help if you can. Many organizations are providing various forms of aid to survivors. Contributing or volunteering is a positive action that can help you to make a difference.
. Keep things in perspective. While an earthquake can bring tremendous hardship and loss, remember to focus on the things that are good in your life. Persevere and trust in your ability to get through the challenging days ahead.
For additional information on managing traumatic stress in the aftermath of disasters, visit APA's Help Center. And follow the APA Help Center on Twitter and read APA's Mind/Body Health campaign blog, Your Mind Your Body.
Source
The American Psychological Association
четверг, 16 июня 2011 г.
Are World Poorest Children Losing Out On G8 Focus On Profits?
The G8 countries, the most powerful economies of the industrial world, have donated $1.5 billion towards to eradication of disease among the poor children of the world. However, only 25% of this money will be spent on vaccine costs, the other 75% will go to profits. In order to save the highest number of lives possible the G8 should really have negotiated the lowest, sustainable non-profit price, according to a Comment in The Lancet this week.
According to Prof. Donald Light, Netherlands Institute for Advanced Study, the contract the G8 countries are using follows the same business model as that used by multinational pharmaceutical companies when selling in rich nations. In the current case, the G8 is planning to purchase a pneumococcal vaccine that is already discovered, and has already been developed for the markets of the developed world. In other words, it is in effect an extra contract - icing on the cake - that should be non-profit to help fight disease among the poorest kids in the world.
"This alternative strategy could be called the Advance Maximum Benefit Commitment (AMBC)," explains Prof. Light.
As the current G8 contract stands, $5.00 to $7.50 will be shelled out for each dose. This, according to Prof. Light's estimate, is about four times the average cost, including capital and overhead costs for enlarging production facilities. With the AMBC strategy, however, 1.2 billion more children could be helped. He wonders whether developing countries will stand by silently while the G8 pay four times the average sustainable costs of these vaccines.
thelancet
Written by:
According to Prof. Donald Light, Netherlands Institute for Advanced Study, the contract the G8 countries are using follows the same business model as that used by multinational pharmaceutical companies when selling in rich nations. In the current case, the G8 is planning to purchase a pneumococcal vaccine that is already discovered, and has already been developed for the markets of the developed world. In other words, it is in effect an extra contract - icing on the cake - that should be non-profit to help fight disease among the poorest kids in the world.
"This alternative strategy could be called the Advance Maximum Benefit Commitment (AMBC)," explains Prof. Light.
As the current G8 contract stands, $5.00 to $7.50 will be shelled out for each dose. This, according to Prof. Light's estimate, is about four times the average cost, including capital and overhead costs for enlarging production facilities. With the AMBC strategy, however, 1.2 billion more children could be helped. He wonders whether developing countries will stand by silently while the G8 pay four times the average sustainable costs of these vaccines.
thelancet
Written by:
среда, 15 июня 2011 г.
WFP Distributions Fan Out Across Pakistan Flood Zone But Needs Remain Enormous
Food distributions facilitated by the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) have fanned out across Pakistan's flood zone as WFP continues to battle against bad weather, devastated infrastructure and the enormous scale of need.
Distributions in Punjab and Sindh have been scaling up since starting at the weekend, while deliveries in Balochistan started on Monday. This is in addition to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province where deliveries have been ongoing since August 1. Hardest hit areas and communities are being prioritised wherever possible.
The obstacles in WFP's way continue to be massive. With such a large number of roads and bridges washed away, many areas remain accessible only by helicopter, including a large part of the north and several locations in Punjab and Sindh. Trucks are being forced to take long detours to reach many distributions sites, causing delays and longer turnaround times before they can be loaded with further food supplies.
"We're putting the final pieces in place on a distribution system which can reach the huge number of people in need in the shortest possible time," said WFP Pakistan Country Director Wolfgang Herbinger. "It's a huge
challenge, particularly in Sindh, where the delivery infrastructure is most constrained."
"We have assessments completed in most of the country so we know where needs are, we have NGO partners to do the distributions, and - at least for now - a steady supply of food leaving our warehouses," Herbinger said.
WFP expects its food distributions to have reached one million people with a one-month food ration on Tuesday. Although the needs are massive, with at least six million people in need of assistance, the Red Crescent Society, government, local authorities, businesses and private individuals, are all part of the effort to fill the food gap.
Helicopters are the only viable means to reach many areas which have been cut off, and WFP is in the process of moving three heavy-lift choppers to Pakistan to boost the ten that have already been made available by the Pakistan government. In many areas of the Swat Valley, people have devised local solutions, picking up food from distribution sites and taking it home on their shoulders across sections where roads have been washed away. In the mountainous Shangla district, mules have been made available to help people get food home.
In a bid to ensure a continuous supply of food to victims of the flooding, WFP has set up new logistics hubs and warehouse facilities in both Multan (Punjab) and Sukkur (Sindh) provinces. WFP currently has enough food stocks for a first round of distributions but will need significant additional donor support to continue deliveries in September. WFP has so far received just over US$30 million towards its US$150 million operation for the next
three months.
"Food, trucks, helicopters and manpower - it all costs money. We are making a very urgent and direct appeal to the international community to redouble their support to our efforts to assist the people of Pakistan," said
Herbinger.
Source:
WFP
Distributions in Punjab and Sindh have been scaling up since starting at the weekend, while deliveries in Balochistan started on Monday. This is in addition to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province where deliveries have been ongoing since August 1. Hardest hit areas and communities are being prioritised wherever possible.
The obstacles in WFP's way continue to be massive. With such a large number of roads and bridges washed away, many areas remain accessible only by helicopter, including a large part of the north and several locations in Punjab and Sindh. Trucks are being forced to take long detours to reach many distributions sites, causing delays and longer turnaround times before they can be loaded with further food supplies.
"We're putting the final pieces in place on a distribution system which can reach the huge number of people in need in the shortest possible time," said WFP Pakistan Country Director Wolfgang Herbinger. "It's a huge
challenge, particularly in Sindh, where the delivery infrastructure is most constrained."
"We have assessments completed in most of the country so we know where needs are, we have NGO partners to do the distributions, and - at least for now - a steady supply of food leaving our warehouses," Herbinger said.
WFP expects its food distributions to have reached one million people with a one-month food ration on Tuesday. Although the needs are massive, with at least six million people in need of assistance, the Red Crescent Society, government, local authorities, businesses and private individuals, are all part of the effort to fill the food gap.
Helicopters are the only viable means to reach many areas which have been cut off, and WFP is in the process of moving three heavy-lift choppers to Pakistan to boost the ten that have already been made available by the Pakistan government. In many areas of the Swat Valley, people have devised local solutions, picking up food from distribution sites and taking it home on their shoulders across sections where roads have been washed away. In the mountainous Shangla district, mules have been made available to help people get food home.
In a bid to ensure a continuous supply of food to victims of the flooding, WFP has set up new logistics hubs and warehouse facilities in both Multan (Punjab) and Sukkur (Sindh) provinces. WFP currently has enough food stocks for a first round of distributions but will need significant additional donor support to continue deliveries in September. WFP has so far received just over US$30 million towards its US$150 million operation for the next
three months.
"Food, trucks, helicopters and manpower - it all costs money. We are making a very urgent and direct appeal to the international community to redouble their support to our efforts to assist the people of Pakistan," said
Herbinger.
Source:
WFP
вторник, 14 июня 2011 г.
Children Most Affected By The Conflict In Belet Weyne
The recent conflict in the town of Belet Weyne (Hiran Region, Central Somalia) calls for immediate humanitarian response, UNICEF said recently. Over the past several weeks, fighting intensified in Belet Weyne between the Ethiopian forces and anti-government elements, causing massive displacement, civilian casualties and destruction of property. UNICEF and its partners are building up their capacity to respond to the urgent needs in the town and its surrounding areas, but heavy fighting has seriously hampered humanitarian agencies' access.
Over 70,000 persons remain displaced from Belet Weyne lacking even the most basic human needs including food, water, health and protection - forced to live in unhygienic and unsanitary conditions.
"Children are particularly vulnerable. There are reports of children being killed, injured or gone missing due to the fighting" said Christian Balslev-Olesen, UNICEF Representative to Somalia. "We also received reports from partners which indicate an increase in the number of unaccompanied children who have been separated from their family, relatives and communities. Some of them are very young children, under seven years old. Isolated from their supportive environments, these children are most vulnerable to physical and sexual abuse, as well as exploitation as cheap or free labour," added Balslev-Olesen.
According to reports from UNICEF's non-governmental organization (NGO) partners on the ground in Belet Weyne, unaccompanied children are particularly vulnerable to the risk of recruitment by armed forces.
To ensure a protective environment for children, UNICEF is currently supporting the Child Protection Network operating in Hiran region, a group of community-based organizations working along with communities to monitor and identify children at risk and help them receive the necessary services. UNICEF, in cooperation with partner NGOs, is also conducting a rapid assessment to evaluate the situation of vulnerable children. Child-friendly spaces will also be established, providing children with psychosocial care, counseling and recreational activities, in addition to a safe environment.
"Lack of access is a major issue that we are facing today. Although humanitarian interventions are ongoing, our ability to respond quickly and effectively with high impact has been undermined significantly due to the deteriorating security conditions," said Balslev-Olesen. "All parties involved in the conflict must prioritize civilian's safety and well being- especially children- and ensure access for humanitarian organizations."
UNICEF will assit with the feeding of 15,000 under-five children in Belet Weyne town and surrounding areas, along with supplementary feeding programmes for 1,000 malnourished children.. Health services are being strengthened through the provision of supplies to aid approximately 200,000 people. Hygiene and sanitation promotion and services to prevent any outbreak of Acute Watery Diarrhea are ongoing.
UNICEF is also working with partners to prepare for school resumption, to gradually introduce a sense of normalcy for children.
About UNICEF
UNICEF is on the ground in over 150 countries and territories to help children survive and thrive, from early childhood through adolescence. The world's largest provider of vaccines for developing countries, UNICEF supports child health and nutrition, good water and sanitation, quality basic education for all boys and girls, and the protection of children from violence, exploitation, and AIDS. UNICEF is funded entirely by the voluntary contributions of individuals, businesses, foundations and governments.
unicef
Over 70,000 persons remain displaced from Belet Weyne lacking even the most basic human needs including food, water, health and protection - forced to live in unhygienic and unsanitary conditions.
"Children are particularly vulnerable. There are reports of children being killed, injured or gone missing due to the fighting" said Christian Balslev-Olesen, UNICEF Representative to Somalia. "We also received reports from partners which indicate an increase in the number of unaccompanied children who have been separated from their family, relatives and communities. Some of them are very young children, under seven years old. Isolated from their supportive environments, these children are most vulnerable to physical and sexual abuse, as well as exploitation as cheap or free labour," added Balslev-Olesen.
According to reports from UNICEF's non-governmental organization (NGO) partners on the ground in Belet Weyne, unaccompanied children are particularly vulnerable to the risk of recruitment by armed forces.
To ensure a protective environment for children, UNICEF is currently supporting the Child Protection Network operating in Hiran region, a group of community-based organizations working along with communities to monitor and identify children at risk and help them receive the necessary services. UNICEF, in cooperation with partner NGOs, is also conducting a rapid assessment to evaluate the situation of vulnerable children. Child-friendly spaces will also be established, providing children with psychosocial care, counseling and recreational activities, in addition to a safe environment.
"Lack of access is a major issue that we are facing today. Although humanitarian interventions are ongoing, our ability to respond quickly and effectively with high impact has been undermined significantly due to the deteriorating security conditions," said Balslev-Olesen. "All parties involved in the conflict must prioritize civilian's safety and well being- especially children- and ensure access for humanitarian organizations."
UNICEF will assit with the feeding of 15,000 under-five children in Belet Weyne town and surrounding areas, along with supplementary feeding programmes for 1,000 malnourished children.. Health services are being strengthened through the provision of supplies to aid approximately 200,000 people. Hygiene and sanitation promotion and services to prevent any outbreak of Acute Watery Diarrhea are ongoing.
UNICEF is also working with partners to prepare for school resumption, to gradually introduce a sense of normalcy for children.
About UNICEF
UNICEF is on the ground in over 150 countries and territories to help children survive and thrive, from early childhood through adolescence. The world's largest provider of vaccines for developing countries, UNICEF supports child health and nutrition, good water and sanitation, quality basic education for all boys and girls, and the protection of children from violence, exploitation, and AIDS. UNICEF is funded entirely by the voluntary contributions of individuals, businesses, foundations and governments.
unicef
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