Udenrigsudvalget 2014-15 (1. samling)
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UNICEF Humanitarian Action for Children 2015
Key Messages
Embargoed until 09:30 GMT, 29 January
1.
UNICEF launches an unprecedented appeal as millions of children face a
‘new generation’ of global crises.
From deadly natural disasters to brutal conflicts and fast-spreading epidemics,
children across the world are facing a new generation of humanitarian crises.
Whether in the headlines or hidden from view, emergencies sparked by social
fracture, climate change and disease are stalking children in ways we have never
seen before. These crises are putting years of hard-fought gains for children at
risk.
UNICEF is launching a $3.1 billion appeal to be able to assist children affected
by humanitarian situations during 2015, no matter where they are. With partners,
we aim to provide critical assistance to 62 million children worldwide,
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including in
Afghanistan, Central African Republic, Iraq, Nigeria, Somalia, South Sudan,
Sudan, Syria, as well as in the countries affected by the Ebola crisis.
The funds will help UNICEF and its partners maintain and expand programmes
to protect millions of children, whose lives and futures are in jeopardy, from risks
including severe malnutrition, disease, recruitment into armed groups, sexual
violence and the loss of educational opportunities.
The list of emergencies keeps growing, straining UNICEF’s human and financial
capacities and resources.
UNICEF’s 2015 global emergency response targets include:
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Treating 2.7 million children for severe acute malnutrition
Immunizing 13.6 million children against measles
Providing 34.3 million people with access to safe water
Protecting 2.3 million children through providing access to psychosocial
support
Helping almost 5 million children receive formal and non-formal education
Providing 257,000 people with access to information on HIV and AIDS,
testing, and treatment
Reaching 395,000 people with cash assistance
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HAC 2015 overview. The appeal is for assisting children in 71 countries.
Ibid
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2.
Children are particularly vulnerable to the devastating effects of conflicts
and protracted crises. But with the right support, they can still grow up to
reach their full potential.
Millions of children are born into and grow up amid crises and are deprived of
stability. Without support, not only the lives of those children but the future of
entire countries will be hanging by a thread.
There are as many as 16.7 million children caught in violent conflicts in the
Central African Republic, Iraq, South Sudan, the State of Palestine, Syria
and Ukraine. Many of these children are internally displaced or live as
refugees.
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In Syria, the violent conflict enters its fifth year at the start of 2015 and no
end is in sight. More than 5.6 million children inside Syria are in need of
support – with an additional 1.7 million children who have fled their country.
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Schools and health facilities have not been spared. In Pakistan, children
attend school in fear following the brutal attack in December on a school in
Peshawar.
In Nigeria, there has been a persistent trend of attacks against
schools and abduction of school girls.
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Many other conflicts and chronic crises have been hidden from view, but
they are no less of a tragedy for the children trying to survive. An estimated
230 million children worldwide live in countries affected by armed conflicts.
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In Somalia, there is an entire generation of children who have never lived in
peace.
Under these extraordinary circumstances, children miss out on the basics of life:
health, shelter, education, and protection. They are at risk of accepting violence
and trauma as part of normal life, and they are at risk of perpetuating the traumas
that stole their futures.
Investing in children and adolescents affected by emergencies by enhancing
their access to safe, quality education and protection contributes to preventing
the loss of a generation of children and ultimately to the stability and growth of
nations.
3.
Supporting and protecting children affected by humanitarian crises today
contributes to building better and peaceful nations – ultimately benefiting
all of humanity.
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Sum of total number of children affected in the countries as per HAC chapters: 2.4 million children in CAR, 2.6
million in Iraq, 3.4 million in South Sudan, 1 million in State of Palestine, 5.6 million in Syria, 1.7 million in Ukraine.
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HAC 2015 foreword by Anthony Lake
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http://www.unicef.org/media/media_73100.html
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http://www.unicef.org/media/media_78058.html
(Source of data: UNICEF Data and Analytics Section)
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UNICEF, working with partners, responded to hundreds of emerging and chronic
humanitarian situations in 2014
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– situations in and out of the news.
30,000 children affected by the Ebola outbreak benefited from
psychosocial support; 4,100 metric tonnes of essential supplies were
shipped, making this the largest supply response in UNICEF’s history;
and more than 50 Community Care Centres and rapid isolation facilities
were established
1.8 million children globally were treated for severe acute malnutrition
16 million children were vaccinated against measles
13 million people were provided with access to safe drinking water
1.8 million children received psychosocial support
2 million children were provided with access to education, both formal and
non-formal
Increasingly, UNICEF is placing the long-term impact on the future of children
and society at the heart of what we do in chronic crises. When done properly,
humanitarian action is more than just meeting immediate needs. It is also about
reducing vulnerabilities to future shocks.
In development contexts, establishing reliable and strong systems for social
services helps communities withstand future crises.
By working with governments and communities to enhance preparedness, by
providing children with health, nutrition, and water and sanitation services during
conflicts or natural disasters, and by reinstating access to education and
protecting children from harm and exploitation, we contribute to a nation’s
development and resilience.
In Guinea, Liberia, and Sierra Leone, countries most affected by the
Ebola outbreak, UNICEF is helping establish Community Care Centres,
training community health workers, and stepping up efforts to raise public
awareness. There efforts will not only help end the outbreak, but will also
help strengthen local health systems.
UNICEF’s water and sanitation programme for Syrian refugees will
continue to transition from the immediate short-term emergency services
to more sustainable and cost-effective systems, strengthening the
services in the communities impacted by refugee influx.
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ENDS
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UNICEF results during the first 10 months of 2014. Source: HAC 2015 overview
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