January 2017 - The Hong Kong Committee for UNICEF

UNICEF seeks HK$25.7 billion in emergency assistance for 48 million children caught up in conflict and other crises

© UNICEF/UN041141/Vittozzi Malnutrition poses “silent threat” to children, agency’s 2017 appeal says “Malnutrition is a silent threat to millions of children,” said Fontaine. “The damage it does can be irreversible, robbing children of their mental and physical potential. In its worst form, severe malnutrition can be deadly.” The largest single component of the appeal […]

Schools in Syria rise from the rubble

Emergency Relief, Global News, Latest News, Syria Crisis 15:18

© UNICEF/UN051529/Al-Issa As the intensity of violence decreases, children head back to school with UNICEF support “Getting children back to learning is one of our key priorities,” said Hanaa Singer, UNICEF Representative in Syria. “School provides children with a much needed sense of routine, and offers a place to learn, play, heal and reconnect […]

UNICEF HK aims to hold replacement Charity Run on 19 March 2017

HK News, Latest News 19:00

Hong Kong Committee for UNICEF announced that UNICEF Charity Run is expected to be re-scheduled to 19 March 2017 at Hong Kong Disneyland Resort and Sunny Bay. The event is in place of the one cancelled last November due to adverse weather and the planning of the details is now at its final stage. All […]

On 18 January 2017, in the Tabanovce refugee and migrant centre, a Syrian girl, carrying a plastic cup filled with snow, contemplates whether to join outdoor activities considering the freezing weather.

The Tabanovce refugee and migrant centre is currently home to some 100 refugees and migrants - a third of them children. Most have been living in the centre since the closure of borders along the Balkan route in March 2016. UNICEF has provided ongoing support to preserve some semblance of normalcy for children trapped in an abnormal situation - supporting safe spaces for children to play and learn and psychosocial, health and nutrition support. The maths classes are part of the UNICEF supported transitional learning opportunities for school-aged children to help them integrate back into formal education in their final destinations, or into the local school system, should their families decide to apply for asylum in the country.

In January 2017, in Greece and the Balkans, migrants and refugees from different parts of the world including many infants and young children remain stranded. Many are being housed in shelters that are ill-equipped for winter, even as temperatures fall as low as -20 Celsius. With no sign of a let-up in the extreme cold weather and storms sweeping Eastern, Central and Southern Europe, refugee and migrant children risk falling sick from respiratory and other serious illnesses. Overcrowding and poor insulation make the shelters particularly unhealthy, and allow respiratory diseases to spread quickly when cold weather hits. According to the WHO, the seasonal influenza season started earlier this year in Europe.

In a number of affected countries, including Croatia, Serbia, Slovenia and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, UNICEF and its partners are monitoring the situation of children and women and responding as needed. UNICEF is also distributing winter clothing and other essential items for women and children, using mobile

Young refugee and migrant children at risk as extreme cold weather grips much of Europe

Emergency Relief, Global News, Latest News, Refugee and migrant crisis, Social Inclusion, Syria Crisis 18:55

© UNICEF/UN049071/Georgiev Backlogs and brutal weather compound hardships facing stranded children NEW YORK/ HONG KONG, 20 January 2017 – With no sign of a let-up in the extreme cold weather and storms sweeping Central, Eastern and Southern Europe, refugee and migrant children are threatened by respiratory and other serious illnesses — and even death from […]

UNICEF HK gives thanks to social change partners and aims to hold replacement Charity Run on 19 March 2017

HIV and AIDS, HK News, Latest News, Press Release 18:38

© UNICEF HK/2017 Hong Kong, 20 January 2017—The Hong Kong Committee for UNICEF (UNICEF HK) held the 30th Anniversary Closing Ceremony & Cocktail Reception at the Government House today to show its gratitude to long-serving social change partners and volunteers who have helped promote children’s well-being all these years. Speaking at the ceremony, Ms Judy […]

Over 40 per cent of Syrian refugee children in Turkey missing out on education, despite massive increase in enrolment rates

Emergency Relief, Global News, Latest News, Syria Crisis 10:52

© UNICEF/UN048837/Ergen On 16 January 2017, boys racing their tricycles in Nizip 1 refugee camp, Gaziantep, southern Turkey. Nizip 1 camp is home to over 10,000 Syrian refugees, including more than 5,000 children. Turkey hosts highest number of child refugees in the world. Education is their only lifeline. NEW YORK/ GAZIANTEP, Turkey/ HONG KONG, 19 […]

On 9 November 2016, displaced children and adults are seen in a vehicle after fleeing from ISIL- controlled areas in rural Raqqa to Ain Issa, the main staging point for displaced families, some 50 Km north of Raqqa city. Some carried mattresses and blankets, while others brought their livestock, including goats, cows and sheep.

As at 15 November 2016 in the Syrian Arab Republic, almost 7,000 people fled their homes in villages around rural Raqqa to Ain Issa, the main staging point for displaced families, some 50 kilometres north of Raqqa city, as reported military operations on ISIL controlled Raqqa city scale up. Children in Raqqa have suffered immensely over the past three years and access to the area has been highly constrained due to insecurity and restrictions on the delivery of humanitarian assistance. The last UN inter-agency aid convoy to Raqqa was in October 2013. UNICEF and partners estimate that around 175,000 children could be affected by the violence. While the situation in the Raqqa area continues to evolve, UNICEF is pre-positioning supplies in various locations to provide critical support for displaced children and their families, including preparing a package of items to provide winter clothing and thermal blankets, as well as critical hygiene and medical kits. Micronutrients, therapeutic food and vaccinations to improve the nutritional and health status of these children will also be available. While water trucking, network repairs and chlorination will provide safe water and reduce the likelihood of waterborne diseases. Materials to support psychosocial activities, as well as recreational and educational kits will also be provided to help children restart their learning and resume some normality in life.

2016 in review: UNICEF’s impact in five of the most dangerous crises

Emergency Relief, Global News, Iraq Crisis, Latest News, Nigeria Crisis, Nutrition, South Sudan Crisis, Syria Crisis, Water Sanitation & Hygiene, Yemen Conflict 17:14

© UNICEF/UN039551/Soulaiman 2016 was a year of challenges and upheaval across the globe. The ongoing migration and refugee crisis has uprooted nearly 50 million children worldwide, leaving them vulnerable to violence and exploitation. Conflict and natural hazards continue to take a toll on children, with nearly 1 in 4 living in areas affected by crisis. […]

#EatPlayLove for the best start in life

Early Childhood Development, Global News, Latest News 15:27

© UNICEF For young children, play is so much more than just fun and games – it’s also a way to learn new skills and stimulate their developing brains. The first 1,000 days of life shape a child’s future. Alongside adequate nutrition and nurturing care, play has a vital role in giving children the best […]

This photo shows Amal who is looking at her destroyed home in Sanaa after it was hit by an airstrike in April 2015.

Statement attributable to Meritxell Relaño, UNICEF Representative in Yemen, on attacks near a school

Emergency Relief, Global News, Latest News, Yemen Conflict 11:38

© UNICEF/UN018341/Jahaf SANA’A, Yemen/HONG KONG, 11 January 2017 –“One child was confirmed killed and four others were injured when two attacks hit near the al-Falah school in the Nihm district outside the capital, Sana’a. “Attacks on civilian areas continue to kill and injure scores of children in Yemen. Instead of learning, children are witnessing death, […]

On 15 August 2016 in Belize, 2-year-old Abner laughs while being carried by his father, James Choc, outdoors on their familys plot of land, in San Felipe Village in the Toledo region. The family, which consists of Abners parents, grandparents and aunt participates in the Roving Caregivers Programme (RCP), which brings services to vulnerable families in the region, especially those living in distant and hard-to-reach locations. Just 50 per cent of villages in the remote, predominately Mayan communities in the Toledo region have access to preschool or day-care services for their children. With many caregivers including Abners parents and grandfather working on plantations or construction sites, young children are at risk of missing out on stimulating interaction, a key element for their development. The UNICEF-supported programme, targets children up to age three who have no access to formal early childhood education. RCP facilitators (known as Roving Caregivers or Rovers), who are trained members of the local community, conduct 45-minute home outreach with each of the families they serve, engaging children in age-appropriate stimulating activities through play and encouraging parents and caregivers to participate. They also encourage positive parenting behaviour; and promote behaviour change to address inappropriate parenting practices The 22 Rovers in the RCP programme conduct 45-minute outreach visits with each family. My favourite part of my childrens lives was when they were young and playing without worry; they were laughing and smiling and growing, said Abners grandmother, Maria Choc (not pictured), a mother of 13.

In recent years, considerable progress was made in the area of Early Childhood Development. In 2011 only 32 per cent of children between 36 and 59 months of age attended an Early Childhood Education (ECE) programme, but this reached 55 per cent by 2015. Disparities however persist as only one in five of the p

‘Early Moments Matter’ for children’s brain development

Early Childhood Development, Global News, Latest News 11:38

© UNICEF/UN032017/LeMoyne On 15 August 2016 in Belize, 2-year-old Abner laughs while being carried by his father, James Choc. NEW YORK/HONG KONG, 10 January 2017 – UNICEF today launched #EarlyMomentsMatter, a new campaign supported by the LEGO Foundation to drive increased awareness about the importance of the first 1,000 days of a child’s life and […]