Press Releases
May 10, 2013
UNICEF Condemns the Recruitment and Killing of a Child in Central African Republic
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.
May 7, 2013
IKEA Foundation provides 110,000 blankets to UNICEF for children in Syria, Jordan and Uganda
Responding to UNICEF’s urgent call for supplies, longstanding partner IKEA Foundation has donated 110,000 baby blankets to some of the world’s most vulnerable children affected by conflict. The blankets will be distributed to children living in refugee camps in Jordan and Uganda and infants visiting hospitals and health centers in Syria. The foundation will ship the IKEA blankets to the destination countries where UNICEF will handle distribution.
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.
