http://www.unicefusa.org news from UNICEF USA Bob © 2008 United States Fund for UNICEF. All rights reserved. Convio Content Management System Module en-us www.unicefusa.org-432799148 http://www.unicefusa.org/news/news-from-the-field/in-nigeria-mother-helps-vaccinate-against-polio.html Aisha wears a UNICEF-blue hijab to make her easily recognizable as a Volunteer Community Mobilizer in northern Nigeria where she lives. In each of her village’s 220 households, Aisha knows every child below age 5 by name. And, most of all, she knows which of the children have been vaccinated against polio. Many children do not receive the polio vaccine here, and irreversible paralysis affects one child out of every 200 infected with the virus. Aisha understands this statistic better than anyone. Aisha’s own daughter was that one child. Thu, 23 May 2013 15:28:08 -0500 www.unicefusa.org-432191430 http://www.unicefusa.org/news/releases/children-trapped-qusayr-syria.html UNICEF is extremely concerned about the safety of civilians in the embattled city of Qusayr in Syria and fears that thousands of children and women could be trapped there by fighting. Heavy clashes have been reported in Qusayr, a city near the Lebanese border, with a population of some 30,000. Between 12,000 and 20,000 people, many of them children, are thought to still be inside the city. Tue, 21 May 2013 09:20:32 -0500 www.unicefusa.org-431929019 http://www.unicefusa.org/news/news-from-the-field/fighting-malnutrition-in-guatemala-unicef.html Elena López lives in a one-room house with a dirt floor, no electricity and no running water. She grows fruits and vegetables, and she has chickens and a few other small animals. Yet one of her daughters suffers from acute malnutrition, and the other three have lower-than-average body weight. In Guatemala, nearly half of all children under 5 years old are chronically malnourished. Today, the López family is being visited by Faustina Vásquez, a community health worker supported by UNICEF. Mon, 20 May 2013 10:56:59 -0500 www.unicefusa.org-429122097 http://www.unicefusa.org/news/releases/63rd-trick-or-treat-for-UNICEF-school-challenge.html The U.S. fund for UNICEF is launching its first-ever nationwide “Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF School Challenge” for teachers of grades K-6. The challenge is part of an effort to help educators inspire students to become global citizens. Winners will get the opportunity to travel abroad to see UNICEF’s program work up close. Wed, 15 May 2013 14:34:11 -0500 www.unicefusa.org-430578650 http://www.unicefusa.org/news/releases/milestone-maternal-neonatal-tetanus-eliminate-half.html Tetanus, one of the most deadly diseases a mother and her newborn can face, has been eliminated in more than half of affected countries targeted by UNICEF just 13 years ago. The milestone was announced today at the annual meeting of the Maternal and Neonatal Tetanus Elimination Initiative at UNICEF headquarters. Tetanus kills one newborn baby every nine minutes and almost all of these babies are born in poor families living in the most disadvantaged areas and communities. Wed, 15 May 2013 10:21:58 -0500 www.unicefusa.org-430577098 http://www.unicefusa.org/news/releases/unicef-prepares-myanmar-cyclone.html As Cyclone Mahasen threatens to hit the communities in Rakhine State, home to thousands of displaced people, UNICEF stands ready to support the government of Myanmar to respond to humanitarian needs. Heavy rainfall and possible flooding that come with the cyclone is likely to deteriorate sanitation and safe water supply, with subsequent increased health threats especially for children. The living conditions of the people in Rakhine are already precarious as a result of inter-communal conflict and displacement. Wed, 15 May 2013 10:17:47 -0500 www.unicefusa.org-430323058 http://www.unicefusa.org/news/news-from-the-field/syrian-refugee-children-jordan-schools-unicef.html Some 450,000 Syrians have taken refuge in Jordan, with 75 percent of them staying in urban communities. In areas where Syrian families are concentrated, Jordanian schools run double shifts to accommodate the massive numbers of Syrian children desperate to continue their education. Some have been out of school for a year or longer, and being able to continue to study is key to the futures of these children. For many, it is a sign of hope. UNICEF is currently supporting the schooling of over 31,000 Syrian children in host communities in Jordan. Tue, 14 May 2013 14:37:09 -0500 www.unicefusa.org-430574857 http://www.unicefusa.org/news/releases/western-union-and-foundation-partner-unicef.html [PARTNER RELEASE] The Western Union Company (NYSE:WU), a leader in global payment services and Global Partner of the UEFA Europa League, and the Western Union Foundation today announced they will collaborate with UNICEF, the world’s leading international children’s organization. Western Union’s PASS Initiative turns every successful pass in the UEFA Europa League competition into funding that supports education for young people around the world. Tue, 14 May 2013 10:10:00 -0500 www.unicefusa.org-428869785 http://www.unicefusa.org/news/news-from-the-field/unicef-supports-malians-displaced.html In January 2012, rebellion erupted in northern Mali. The Dicko family fled by truck, empty-handed, and arrived in Ségou just over a year ago. They are now are among an estimated 292,648 Malians who have fled the fighting in the North but have stayed within the country’s borders. According to the governor, little Ségou’s houses, riverbanks and yards have gained 36,000 people in the past year. UNICEF has provided kits containing everyday items like pots, mosquito nets and blankets, along with water, sanitation and hygiene items. Fri, 10 May 2013 10:45:47 -0500 www.unicefusa.org-430572465 http://www.unicefusa.org/news/releases/unicef-condemns-recruitment-killing-child-central-african-republic.html UNICEF condemns in the strongest possible terms the recruitment into armed groups and killing of a 17-year-old boy in the Central African Republic. On April 24, a 17-year-old and 19-year-old, whose names are withheld to protect the identities of their families, were ordered by an officer (known as the Colonel) of the Seleka rebel group to steal a vehicle in the capital of Bangui. A crowd gathered at the scene, and they were stoned to death by a mob while the Colonel leading the attempted theft fled the scene. Fri, 10 May 2013 09:55:00 -0500