Press Releases
May 6, 2013
Statement on Syria by Maria Calivis, UNICEF Regional Director for the Middle East and North Africa
“UNICEF is appalled and outraged by the latest reported killings in Al Bayda and Baniyas. Reports say that on May 2 and 3, dozens of people, including women and children, were killed in the two towns. These latest deaths serve as another reminder that it is innocent civilians, especially children, who continue to pay the heaviest cost of the carnage in Syria."
May 6, 2013
Lenny Kravitz Films UNICEF PSA to End Preventable Child Deaths
Lenny Kravitz—GRAMMY Award-winning singer-songwriter, record producer and actor—has recorded a public service announcement urging people to join UNICEF to bring about an end to preventable child deaths. Some 6.9 million child deaths every year are due preventable causes, of which as many as 1.5 million are from vaccine-preventable diseases. “I’m a parent, and the thought of anyone’s child dying of something we can prevent is just unacceptable to me,” said Kravitz.
April 30, 2013
UNICEF Supports Mass Vaccination Campaigns in Syria and Surrounding Countries amid Measles Outbreaks
UNICEF and partners have stepped up vaccination campaigns in Syria, Jordan, Lebanon, Iraq and Turkey amid a number of measles outbreaks in a region where millions of people affected by the Syrian crisis need humanitarian assistance. “With large population movements and the breakdown of regular health services in Syria, additional precautions are required to ensure that children are protected against killer diseases like measles,” said Mahendra Sheth, UNICEF Regional Health Advisor.
April 25, 2013
Despite Progress, 1,500 African Children Die Daily from Malaria
Malaria still kills 660,000 people every year, most of them African children. Insecticide-treated bed nets are critical to eliminating deaths from malaria—one of the leading killers of children in the world, says UNICEF on World Malaria Day. The number of bed nets in sub-Saharan Africa has increased to 145 million thanks to bulk buying, joint procurement, financing and extending manufacturing capacity. Since 2000, 1.1 million lives have been saved from malaria, and malaria mortality rates in Africa have declined by one-third.
April 24, 2013
Children in Somalia to Receive New Vaccination against Deadly Diseases
The Somali authorities have launched today a new five-in-one-vaccine against several potentially fatal childhood diseases which could save thousands of young lives. From today, Somali children will receive the Pentavalent vaccine, a combination of five vaccines in one against diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis (whooping cough), Hepatitis B and Haemophilus influenzae type B (Hib—the bacteria that causes meningitis, pneumonia and other illnesses), all of which are highly prevalent. The vaccine will be part of the routine immunization program.
