January 2016 - The Hong Kong Committee for UNICEF

A mother from Luhansk feeding her baby while taking part in the workshop Breastfeeding and infant feeding of children in emergencies organized by UNICEF in Kyiv on 14-15 July 2015.

In Ukraine, over 1.3 million have been internally displaced as of 10 July 2015. The security situation has remained volatile along the contact line in eastern Ukraine over the past month resulting in further displacement. According to UNICEF/CDC assessment among IDPs, only 1 in 4 internally displaced children under 6 months is exclusively breastfed. Moreover, in Ukraine 46% internally displaced mothers stopped breastfeeding of children under 6 months due to stress related to conflict. To support conflict-affected mothers, UNICEF equips them with knowledge to make sure mothers do not stop breastfeeding their children when they are displaced. Since January 2015, over 20,000 conflict-affected mothers have improved knowledge on benefits of exclusive breastfeeding.

In Ukraine, over 1.3 million have been internally displaced as of 10 July 2015. The security situation has remained volatile along the contact line in eastern Ukraine over the past month resulting in further displacement. According to UNICEF/CDC assessment among IDPs, only 1 in 4 internally displaced children under 6 months is exclusively breastfed. Moreover, in Ukraine 46% internally displaced mothers stopped breastfeeding of children under 6 months due to stress related to conflict. To support conflict-affected mothers, UNICEF equips them with knowledge to make sure mothers do not stop breastfeeding their children when they are displaced. Since January 2015, over 20,000 conflict-affected mothers have improved knowledge on benefits of exclusive breastfeeding.

Series from The Lancet provides more evidence that breastfeeding is lifesaving – UNICEF

© UNICEF/UNI194033/Zavalnyuk – A mother from Luhansk feeding her baby while taking part in the workshop “Breastfeeding and infant feeding of children in emergencies” organized by UNICEF in Kyiv on 14-15 July 2015. Reductions in child mortality and reduced breast and ovarian cancer rates for women who breastfeed WASHINGTON/NEW YORK/ HONG KONG, 29 January 2016 – […]

On 26 August, students raise their hands to answer a teacher's question during summer catch-up classes at the UNICEF tent school in Al Takiya Al Kasnazaniya camp for internally displaced people in Karkh District, Baghdad Governorate.

Violent conflict means the education of nearly 3.1 million children and adolescents in Iraq is suffering. The conflict has pushed to the limit an already under-resourced educational system. Schools are short of teachers, drop out levels are high and the number of schools is limited. Of the 850,000 internally displaced school-aged boys and girls, 76 per cent have been out of school for a year.

As Education Cluster lead, UNICEF has coordinated the response of more than 24 national and international education partners. Between 2014 and 2015 UNICEF provided safe and quality education to almost 300,000 children in camps and host communities.

UNICEF launches HK$21.8 billion humanitarian appeal for children

Emergency Relief, Global News, Latest News 12:10

© UNICEF/UNI195222/Khuzaie Syria crisis causes spike in need for education in emergencies GENEVA/ HONG KONG, 26 January 2016 – UNICEF is launching a HK$21.8 billion (US$2.8 billion) appeal to reach 43 million children in humanitarian emergencies worldwide. For the first time ever, the largest portion of the appeal – 25 per cent – is […]

On 5 January, Ghinwa, 7, and her brother Alaa, 11, at Al-Khalidia Al-Khamisa informal settlement in Homs. As their house in this unfinished building remains in a dire condition and many repairs are needed to make it suitable for winter, Ghinwa and Alaa are trying to get warm with blankets.

UNICEF is targeting one million children throughout the country with winter supplies during the 2015/2016 winter season. So far, winter clothing kits and blankets have reached 95,000 children while delivery and distribution is ongoing for 545,000 children. In addition, 2,000 heaters are currently being installed in classrooms benefiting 80,000 children.

An appeal to end the suffering in Syria

Emergency Relief, Global News, Latest News, Syria Crisis 10:07

© UNICEF/UN06843/Sanadiki More than 120 humanitarian organizations and United Nations agencies issued a joint appeal today urging the world to raise their voices and call for an end to the Syria crisis and to the suffering endured by millions of civilians. The appeal also outlines a series of immediate, practical steps that can improve humanitarian […]

Voluntary School Speaker Recruitment

HK News, Latest News 17:33

Join UNICEF HK if you are: – Aged 18 or above (Full-time tertiary students are welcomed) – Responsible, independent and proactive – Fluent in Cantonese and English, good at communication – Passionate about children’s rights and UNICEF’s work (Students of Year 1 or 2, and experience in teaching or children/youth related work is an […]

Chinese New Year family activity: UNICEF HK Little Artists Big Dreams Drawing Competition now opens for local little artists to enrol and support the maternal and child healthcare in deprived areas in China

On 3 January, on a very cold school day, two boys collect tree branches to make fire wood in Kafar Batna village in Rural Damascus. Following almost five years of the Syria crisis, 4.5 Million people continue to live in areas- like this one- that are hard to reach for the humanitarian community. Almost 400,000 of those are besieged. A very harsh weather conditions are amongst many difficulties that civilians have to endure to survive.

UNICEF is targeting one million children throughout the country with winter supplies during the 2015/2016 winter season. So far, winter clothing kits and blankets have reached 95,000 children while delivery and distribution is ongoing for 545,000 children. In addition, 2,000 heaters are currently being installed in classrooms benefiting 80,000 children.

One in four children in conflict zones are out of school

Global News, Latest News 11:31

© UNICEF/UN06851/Al Shami – On 3 January, on a very cold school day, two boys collect tree branches to make fire wood in Kafar Batna village in Rural Damascus. NEW YORK/ HONG KONG, 12 January 2016 – In 22 countries affected by conflict, nearly 24 million children living in crisis zones are out of […]