Press Releases
February 6, 2013
Fewer Girls Threatened by Female Genital Mutilation
Fewer girls are subjected to the life-threatening practice of Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting (FGM/C), according to new data released on the International Day of Zero Tolerance of Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting. The data shows that FGM/C is becoming less prevalent and the younger generation is less vulnerable to the practice. “This progress shows it is possible to end FGM/C,” said UNICEF Executive Director Anthony Lake. “FGM/C is not only deeply wrong, we can and must end it to help millions of girls and women lead healthier lives.”
February 4, 2013
UNICEF Begins Delivery of Water Treatment Supplies for 10 million People in Syria
A large-scale operation is underway in Syria to secure safe water supplies for close to half the country’s population. Over the coming weeks, UNICEF will deliver 1,000 tons of chlorine for more than 10 million people in cities and communities across Syria. The operation comes amid rising concerns over the impact of the 23-month conflict on water pumping stations and other infrastructure—and the implications for children’s health. UNICEF needs $22.5 million to deliver water and sanitation services in Syria from January to June 2013.
February 1, 2013
UNICEF Scales up Support to Malawi’s Flood Victims as Rains Persist
UNICEF is working with its partners to scale up emergency assistance to more than 53,000 people hit by floods in Malawi as heavy rains continue. As persistent rains have destroyed roads, access to flooded areas remains difficult. The flooding has also restricted access to safe water, sanitation and hygiene in the affected communities. In response, UNICEF is providing a range of water, sanitation and hygiene-related supplies. The organization is also disseminating information to prevent outbreaks of water-borne diseases such as cholera.
February 1, 2013
UNICEF: More than 200,000 Children in Homs, Syria Need Urgent Humanitarian Assistance
A United Nations joint mission to the western Syrian governorate of Homs, in which UNICEF took part, found that 420,000 people need immediate humanitarian assistance. Half of this population is children. “Children are the worst affected,” says UNICEF Emergency Specialist Mark Choonoo, who was on the mission. “Most children I saw were showing signs of distress. It is extremely important that we reach as many of these children as possible with the support they need to cope with their traumatic experiences.”
February 1, 2013
U.S. Fund for UNICEF Announces Winners of Annual Pier 1 Imports/UNICEF Greeting Card Contest
The U.S. Fund for UNICEF announced today the winners of the annual Pier 1 Imports®/UNICEF greeting card contest. The theme this year is “A Holiday of Hope and Joy.” Atticus Silbaugh, age eight, from Shrewsbury, Pa., is this year’s recipient of the Grand Prize Award for his artwork, which will be reproduced as an official UNICEF greeting card, and sold exclusively at Pier 1 Imports stores across the country and on Pier1.com during the 2013 holiday season. The U.S. Fan’s Choice Award was presented to Vivian Lu, age 12, from Arcadia, California.
