News from the Field
January 3, 2013
In the Democratic Republic of the Congo, an International Joint Effort Rushes Essential Items to 20,000 Displaced Families
North Kivu province has been the site of relentless fighting for over a decade. Since April, an estimated 500,000 people have been displaced in the province. Many of these families had already been displaced, only to be forced to relocate once again. Most of the displaced population left their homes or places of refuge quickly, with few belongings. To assist these families, UNICEF has coordinated a mass distribution of relief kits, which contain ten essential items, including plastic sheeting, blankets, clothing, a wash basin and soap.
December 31, 2012
Among the Ruins Left by Typhoon Bopha in the Philippines, the Long Path to Recovery Begins
In villages and towns all over Compostela Valley, families are adjusting and trying to recover after Typhoon Bopha ripped apart their villages. The storm killed more than 1,000 people, and, as of December 18, had left 26,000 people in evacuation centers and 960,000 people living in the ruins of their homes, open areas or living with host communities. Despite difficulties in reaching all of the affected areas, UNICEF and partners have begun providing clean water, sanitation and supporting education, nutrition and child protection services.
December 28, 2012
A Winterization Program Helps Syrian Refugee Children Caught in Brutal Weather
Around 35,000 displaced Syrian children in the North and Bekaa regions of Lebanon are facing extreme weather conditions. Many have crossed the border with almost nothing and are now confronted with winter temperatures that dip below freezing, along with regular snowfall. Last week, about 270 Syrian refugees sheltering in Lebanon were hospitalized, highlighting the desperate and precarious living conditions faced by many Syrian refugee families. A key priority for UNICEF, as winter approaches, is keeping these children warm, safe and healthy.
December 27, 2012
As Nutrition Crisis Releases Its Grip, a Mother in Mauritania Gets Help for Her Unresponsive Baby
Humming softly, Fatimatou cradles her healthy, smiling 9-month-old boy Sidiahmed in her lap. It’s been a long time since she could relax and play with him. Fatimatou is a single mother, and her son was born during the nutrition crisis in the Sahel. Just over a month ago, Sidiahmed was malnourished—and often unresponsive. Fatimou took her son to a nearby UNICEF-supported outpatient nutrition center. Here, the baby received treatment for malnutrition, and Fatimatou learned techniques to help stimulate her baby and aid in his development.
December 21, 2012
Recovering from the 2010 Earthquake in Haiti, Petit Goave Rebuilds Its Water System
The massive earthquake that struck Haiti in 2010 destroyed the water system of Petit Goave, a coastal city near the quake’s epicenter. Now, thanks to a UNICEF-supported effort, the water system has been rebuilt with new pipes and new safety measures to reduce the likelihood of future water shortages. One of the beneficiaries is Tayet Rousseau, a mother of three whose business selling small goods was destroyed in the earthquake. Rousseau now has a water tap that delivers clean, safe water to the front yard of her modest home.
