Authentic Voices

UK Child poverty figures:calm before the storm?

Dragan Nastic — Mon, 17 Jun 2013 11:37:00 GMT

© A child pushes a metal cart in Iraq UNICEF/Pirozzi

Last week the Government put out some updated statistics on living standards in the UK, including the figures on child poverty for 2011-12.

This was an extremely thorough, valuable report. The chapter on children is more than 60 pages long, and presents a complex picture of child poverty - the UK is a world leader at producing this sort of research.

Statistics show that in 2011-12,

2.3 million children were living in relative income poverty. That's 17% of all children - no change from the year before.
300,000 more children found themselves living in absolute poverty compared to 2010-11, an increase of 2%.
Material deprivation (whether one can afford the "essentials" to survive) has fallen by 1%.

It's a mixed picture. The relative income poverty rate remains flat - but unfortunately this is not a result of successful policy but rather due to the deterioration in living standards. To improve, we need an economic policy stimulating growth, employment, decent pay and equality.

300,000 children have fallen below the absolute poverty line, which is bad news because this represents the biggest increase for quite some time. Recent analysis by the Institute of Fiscal Studies suggests that this trend is likely to continue, with absolute child poverty projected to stand at 27.2% by 2020/21.

What is really striking for me in the statistics is that around two in three children in both relative and absolute poverty live in families where at least one adult is in work. Interestingly - and extremely worryingly - the entire increase in children living in poverty in 2011-12 came from working households. So the "welfare to work" approach is fine insofar as it goes, but it is not really effective in child poverty terms as it doesn't deal with the main drivers of poverty and inequality.

So what's my verdict? The picture for 2011-12 may be a perfectly mixed one but looking ahead, it also contains the ingredients for a perfect storm. What we need in these worrying times is for children to be prioritised and become the focus of government policy. The effort to implement the Child Poverty Act 2010 and eliminate child poverty by 2020 should be dramatically and immediately stepped up. The comprehensive spending review later this month is a good starting point.

Dragan Nastic is Domestic Policy and Research Officer at UNICEF UK.

What did we achieve last weekend?

Ali Louis — Thu, 13 Jun 2013 13:26:00 GMT

© UNICEF/NYHQ2012-0256/Asselin
Celine Pacmogda holds her 16-month-old daughter, Yasmina Nikiema, outside their home in the neighbourhood of Karpaala, in Ouagadougou, the capital

For the last six months two hundred organisations joined forces as part of the Enough Food for Everyone IF campaign to call for the end of world hunger. It has been a busy couple of months with achievements, and pauses for reflection along the way. Before we knew it, the Nutrition for Growth Summit was on our door step; a key moment for all of us concerned by, and invested in, child malnutrition.

Whilst we got ready for the Big IF in London's Hyde Park, world leaders gathered at the London office of Unilever.

We were interested to see what the UK Government could do to reduce child malnutrition around the world; an issue we know kills 3 million children a year, and holds a life-time of lost potential for those lucky enough to survive.

With your help and hard work we called on the UK Government to show leadership, and to commit new and additional financing to child nutrition.

The good news is the Government exceeded our expectation - donors committed £2.7billion ($4.1 billion) - and I am proud to say that our Government tripled spending on nutrition.

In total they pledged £370.5million to nutritional interventions such as Vitamin A, Zinc, and Iron. This also includes care for pregnant women and the promotion of breastfeeding.

Additionally, the UK Government and the other donors pledged to invest in programmes, including agriculture and social protection. These programmes should prevent 20 million children from becoming stunted and stop nearly 2 million child deaths.

The money that has been raised by donor Governments will go to 40 countries around the world who have signed up to the global platform Scaling Up Nutrition (SUN). This platform allows national Governments to write their own nutrition programmes, which take into consideration the variations of malnutrition drivers, and gives them the ultimate say in how they tackle malnutrition.

These are all great achievements – yet we must maintain pressure on world leaders to keep their promises and ensure nutrition stays on the political agenda. We must all play our part in maintaining this pressure, by writing blogs, using social media or writing to your MP.

UNICEF UK has various and great ways you can get involved and help protect the world's children.

But for the moment, let's pause and be happy with what was achieved at the Nutrition for Growth Summit.

Ali Louis is the International Policy and Research Officer for Child Nutrition

The Big IF: turning up the volume against hunger

Hayley Cull — Tue, 11 Jun 2013 17:06:00 GMT

IF campaign ambassadors Frank and Mwajuma plant spinning flowers at the Big IF installation in Hyde Park. The millions of petals represent the children who die of malnutrition every year.

As 45,000 people were preparing to gather in Hyde Park for the Big IF rally on Saturday, I was with other IF campaigners at the Nutrition for Growth summit. There with us were Frank, 16, and Mwajuma, 18, two young activists from Tanzania who are in the UK at the moment supporting the IF campaign. Frank told delegates that he, like millions of other children around the world, didn't get the nutritious food he needed as a child. He spoke movingly about a simple vision for the future: "I don't want to see my children suffer like I did." It was the first of many moments throughout the day that sent shivers down my spine.

UNICEF and IF supporter Angelique Kidjo told delegates at the summit, "I will fight for every child on this planet till my last breath". All morning, speakers reiterated the importance of children: UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon stated that "no child should suffer injustice of malnutrition," while President of Malawi Joyce Banda told us that "nothing can be more important than ensuring our children's future," adding also that we must demand climate justice for women around the world.

Heading to Hyde Park afterwards, Angelique, Frank and Mwajuma joined an inspiring line-up of people demanding action from the G8 on hunger. Danny Boyle called it "the biggest gold medal Britain could win in 2013". David Harewood urged us to "remember the 870 million reasons why today matters: all the men, women and children who are going hungry." Jay Naidoo shared our thoughts for Nelson Mandela in hospital, adding that the best way to honour him is to celebrate his values. Lauren Laverne, Gethin Jones, Myleene Klass, Satish Kumar, Beardyman, Lucy Rose, Charlie McDonnell and many more kept the cheers coming.

This is the beginning of the end of hunger. #BigIF twitter.com/EnoughFoodIF/s…
— Enough Food IF (@EnoughFoodIF) June 8, 2013

It's not every day you get to be part of a crowd of 45,000 people rallying for something you believe in. In the face of austerity, in the face of scepticism about political change, the Big IF was proof that people in their thousands care about putting an end to the scandal of hunger. Around half of the crowd cheered when asked if they had been part of Make Poverty History eight years ago, while the cheers from the other half suggested a new generation engaging with issues around international development and justice - another spine-tingling moment.

#BigIF trended on Twitter all day long, at one point globally. Tens of thousands of tweets were sent, many to @David_Cameron directly, demanding action on hunger at the G8. We were also mentioned in over a third of global tweets about the #Nutrition4Growth summit - from all angles, the IF campaign was heard loud and clear.

The thousands in Hyde Park had come to make their voice heard, and the sound was truly incredible. But one of the most powerful sounds of all was complete quiet, when 45,000 people gave one minute's silence for the millions of children who have died of malnutrition. For the many more whose development is permanently stunted. And for the 1 in 8 people around the world who go to bed hungry every night, despite the fact that there is enough food for everyone.

It's 2013: no child should be dying because they can't get enough of the food they need. We know how to end this injustice; what we need is the political will. Together in our thousands, that's exactly what we're shouting for.

Exciting news came out of the Nutrition Summit: over $4.1 billion was pledged globally towards reducing malnutrition. This is a strong start to the G8 period and will save millions of lives, but the fight isn't over. Next week I'll be in Northern Ireland for the Big IF event in Belfast and the G8 summit in Enniskillen, where I'll stand again alongside other IF campaigners and demand that G8 leaders take strong action to stop children going hungry. We have an enormous opportunity to be the generation to end hunger, IF we make ourselves heard. Stay tuned as we turn up the volume.

Hayley Cull is Public Affairs Digital Campaigner at UNICEF UK.

Cricket stars encourage children to THINK WISE about HIV and AIDS

UNICEF News — Tue, 11 Jun 2013 15:02:00 GMT

Stacey Pham from our sports programmes team travelled to The Oval in London last week to see children from local Rights Respecting Schools put their cricket skills to the test with with players from the West Indies cricket team.

Pupils from Sir James Barrie School and Norbury Primary School with West Indies cricketers Jason Holder, Dwayne Bravo and Darren Sammy. © Jan Kruger/ICC/Getty Images

West Indies captain Dwayne Bravo and team mates Darren Sammy and Jason Holder put on a special cricket coaching clinic for children at two London schools last week. They were in the UK for the ICC Champion’s Trophy, so took some time out to visit children at the cricket ground as part of the International Cricket Council’s partnership with UNICEF and UNAIDS.

The partnership's called THINKWISE, and it teaches children and young people the importance of healthy lifestyles, and educates secondary school pupils about HIV and AIDS prevention and protection.

The 60 primary school children had the chance to practise their batting, bowling and fielding skills with the players, with the help of fantastic coaches from Cricket Without Boundaries. With a portion of the group breaking out into dance halfway through the session, it was clear that children and players were enjoying their time together at the grounds.

A high-five from Darren Sammy for pupils taking park in fielding practice. © Jan Kruger/ICC/Getty Images

Players also took part in a Q&A session where pupils asked questions, ranging from "What was your toughest moment?" to "Why did you choose cricket?" One pupil even asked West Indies Captain Dwayne Bravo to shout "Norbury!" when he scores a run in his next match.

West Indies Captain Dwayne Bravo joins in with Norbury pupils as they hone their batting techniques. © Jan Kruger/ICC/Getty Images

"It’s always important to take time out and work with children during our busy schedule for the ICC Champions Trophy," said Bravo. "We like to be able to come and share our expertise with the kids and I’m also grateful to Darren and Jason for taking the time to come down too."

Children from both schools left the grounds as huge West Indies huge fans, with signed t-shirts and an important understanding of the value of healthy living.

The coaching session features in this news report about the ICC Champions Trophy.

Stacey Pham is Sport Programmes Executive at UNICEF UK

100 children descend on Downing Street

Natasha Adams — Mon, 10 Jun 2013 15:22:00 GMT

© UNICEF UK/2013/Mikael Buck

Last week I took 100 children to Downing Street to demand enough food for everyone. The children represented more than 30,000 young people from across the UK who had supported the IF campaign by decorating plates with their messages to Prime Minister David Cameron.

I felt really proud to have been involved with the schools action, helping the IF coalition design the plate activity and encouraging UNICEF UK's Rights Respecting Schools to take part. Our target was to get 10,000 children to decorate plates with their messages to the Prime Minister – UNICEF UK received more than 10,000 plates sent just to us! It's been really inspiring reading all the messages as they've come in – we have a lot of passionate young people in this country that care about hunger and want to be heard.

Three Rights Respecting Schools came with UNICEF UK to Downing Street – The Regis School, Peel Park Primary and St Fidelis. The visit to Downing Street was just part of a day where the students learnt more about the IF campaign, made a banner for the Big IF rally and planned next steps to take their work further. The young people were delighted to meet UNICEF supporter David Walliams, and to visit Number 10. Here's what a couple of them said about the day:

“I feel privileged and proud to know that my voice and opinion has been heard by the Prime Minister. I feel I have played a small part in making the big change of ending global hunger.” Will Hodges, 12, The Regis School

“It was an honour to meet Mr Cameron, but the real reason for the visit was to help stop world hunger. As a Rights Respecting School, we want to make a difference. It is a disgrace that 2 million children die each year from malnutrition. We want a world where no child goes to bed hungry.” Ather Samin, 9, Peel Park Primary

The IF campaign has come a long way in the last few days. Around 45,000 supporters joined us for an amazing day at the Big IF rally in Hyde Park on Saturday 8 June, and at the same time $4.15 billion was pledged in aid to tackle malnutrition at the nutrition summit. I'm really pleased with the outcome so far, and that so many young people have been inspired to get involved with campaign. Now we're looking ahead to the G8 meeting itself – there are still tickets to join us at the Big IF Belfast on June 15th, to help us make some noise ahead of the summit. Fingers crossed that G8 leaders take action on tax dodging and land grabs when they meet next week…

Natasha Adams is the Activism Officer for UNICEF UK

Enough Food IF: We are ready

Astrid Baez — Fri, 07 Jun 2013 18:05:00 GMT

Malnourished two-year-old Massing Esther eating a vitamin fortified high energy and protein meal at the UNICEF supported health centre in the village of Tchontchi in northern Cameroon. © UNICEF/Cameroon/Sweeting

One of many memorable events I had at university took place on the night before finals. Promptly at midnight, after a semester's hard work and a week of coffee-fueled study groups, students stopped what they were doing, opened their windows and walked through library doors to take part in the campus-wide Big Scream. The mix of “Ahh” and random phrases could be heard all over campus, and it wasn't just about de-stressing. Looking back, I realise we were sending a message: we were ready to take on the world.

Tomorrow, 8 June, the Big IF rally is taking place at Hyde Park. This time I will be joining my UNICEF colleagues and volunteers from 200 organisations as we make a massive noise for a cause that desperately needs world leaders' attention: undernutrition.

Shortly after arriving at UNICEF I came across the story of Marie Maboule, 42, and her two-year-old twins, Massing Esther and Tito Anna from the village of Tchontchi in Cameroon. Lacking a regular income and unable to harvest the land for food, the entire family, which includes also 10 other children, is severely malnourished. Most days Marie finds it difficult to secure two meals. The twins' emaciated bodies are too weak even to walk, and although Marie knows this, she is helpless to save her children. In this northern region of Cameroon, the survival of 51,000 children depends not only on whether they receive an adequate amount of food but essential nutrients from the right kind of food.

For more than 65 years UNICEF has helped to prevent and treat malnutrition resulting in 50 million fewer undernourished children in the past two decades. I recently met UNICEF's nutrition adviser for the East and South African region, Dr. Noel Marie Zagre. During our conversation one thing became very clear: eradicating malnutrition begins first and foremost with prevention. Something as simple as providing vitamin A, iron and iodine to pregnant women can guarantee a healthy supply of essential nutrients to a baby during gestation that will carry over for up to six months after birth, explains Dr. Zagre. Following that, exclusive and immediate breastfeeding a baby in the first six months helps in their development through the early years. "The science is indisputable," says Dr. Zagre, "it's all about the first 1,000 days." Dr. Zagre, whose work can be traced back to a career in the sciences, explains that a baby's stomach can hold 200ml of fluid."If you’re filling even half of that with water, it is simply not going to provide an infant with the nutrients it needs to survive and thrive," he says.

The challenge for us in the fight against poor nutrition, says Dr. Zagre, is to link the situation now to future outcomes for all of society. "It is about recognising that by not tackling malnutrition, a child is likely to grow into a burden on society," he says. In the East African region where Dr. Zagre works, 10 million children suffer from irreversible stunting as a direct result of an unbalanced diet. When a child is stunted, he or she cannot grow, learn or become a productive member in society. Stunting affects the most vulnerable first, but it slowly eats away at the fabric of whole communities, forcing generations of families into the cycle of poverty.

We must not be the generation that had the opportunity to save more than 2 million children from death by malnutrition, and did nothing to seize it. The IF campaign launched earlier this year in January is asking for solid commitment from G8 leaders to fix our broken food system. The Nutrition for Growth event this Saturday, hosted by the UK Government, will bring together governments, business leaders, scientists and civil society to answer that call. We've had six months to prepare for this historic moment. We are more than ready to take on world hunger.

Astrid Baez is the Media Intern at UNICEF UK.

Children of Syria: An appeal for help

Helen Pattinson — Fri, 07 Jun 2013 13:28:00 GMT

In May 2013, UNICEF UK's Helen Pattinson visited Domiz refugee camp in Iraq to find out about UNICEF's work for Syrian children living in the camp. Read the first , second and third parts of her blog, and watch the TV appeal that was filmed during the visit.

UNICEF UK's Jon Sparkes holds an eight-week-old baby at Domiz camp, while his mum looks on. © UNICEF/2013/Schermbrucker

Today I met a Syrian baby who has contributed, without even knowing it, to helping the Syrian refugees in Iraq.

We'd been walking around the sewage-filled passages of the Domiz refugee camp when some people invited us in to a small covered area where a few families had made their home. A mother gave me her baby, she wanted to share him, and for him to be on camera.

We were there to make a TV advert about the desperate plight of the children of Syria.

I was holding this tiny boy in my arms and tried to comfort him while he cried. I was trying to quieten him down so my colleague Jon Sparkes could deliver his lines to the camera. Jon stroked his little head.

There's something incredibly powerful about a newborn baby; something about their vulnerability, their dependence. As we held him we were close to tears, because of all that we've seen in this place over the last few days. Overcrowded tents, not enough water, children playing in sewage, children who don't have enough to eat, children who can't go to school, children who are frightened by all they've seen.

As the baby moved towards sleep, Jon and I tried to express to each other how abhorrent it was that this tiny new life should be born into such a cruel world. Mums and dads everywhere want to comfort and protect their children. But Syria's parents can do neither.

The little boy's mother proudly looked on as her son was being filmed. She had so little yet her baby was dressed properly, and was well looked after. She deserved respect and it was so important that we portrayed her family in this way.

Jon is in charge of UNICEF operations in the UK. He is used to monitoring organisational risk, forecasting financial projections and directing strategy. But here he was, using all of his emotional reserve to stop himself breaking down as he looked into the eyes of a little baby, who should have had everything to hope and dream for. But this little boy's future is bleak, with a desperate lack of opportunity; this little boy cannot chose what his life will be.

With the unrelenting sun beating down, Jon and I were talking about this little boy, with the camera rolling to capture Jon's thoughts. I suggested to Jon that he might turn to the camera and ask the UK public to help this little boy I was holding.

I have seen desperate situations in slums, refugee camps and remote mountain villages before. And I have cried before. But I have never before been moved like this while meeting a child. In a famine, a flood, tsunami or earthquake the world takes notice, at least for a while. But who knows that these children are here?

I watched Jon turn to the camera and say: "I'm finding this so hard. I'm asking you to help the children of Syria, because if we don't, who will?"

I hope the camera captured the power of this moment, and that other parents, or anyone who cannot bear the thought of a child not having a cot, food or shelter is moved to respond. I will never forget this moment. I will never forget how this tiny, sleeping boy and all he represents moved us in this way. I am not embarrassed or ashamed for anything other than the fact I need to do more, to convince you and everyone to do more to help these children.

So please, before you close this page, take a moment to consider your response to this little sleeping baby boy.

Watch our appeal for the children of Syria

Helen Pattinson is Head of Direct Marketing at UNICEF UK

IF campaign: What have we all been shouting about?

Ali Louis — Fri, 07 Jun 2013 09:17:00 GMT

In Burkina Faso, Adeline Ouoba carries her baby son Bosco. She's just bought some misola, a nutritious supplementary food made from millet, soya and peanuts. "It gives him strength and makes him grow fast," she says. © UNICEF/NYHQ2012-0251/Asselin

For the last six months many of you have helped us put hunger on the political agenda. We can't thank you enough for all you've done to engage with our leaders on hunger and malnutrition.

We know that you agree with us - that hunger in 2013 is unacceptable; that we should put an end to child malnutrition.

So what have we all been working towards? Well the next two weeks are absolutely crucial for our campaign.

This Saturday world leaders, UN agencies and NGOs will meet in London and decide the fate of millions of children around the world. It is a deeply significant event which, unfortunately, has not got the media attention it deserves. Yet thousands of you have joined the Enough Food for Everyone IF campaign and shown to leaders in the UK that it is time to put an end to hunger.

Before the G8, where the eight most powerful countries in the world will meet, Prime Minister David Cameron has organised a nutrition summit. The Nutrition for Growth Summit is an opportunity for all those who work on nutrition to be together in one room - this does not happen often.

The Summit is a pledging conference, which means attendees (donor countries and foundations) are expected to pledge money to nutrition. Nutrition desperately needs more funding - if you take the value of all development aid from rich countries, total spending on nutrition is only 0.3%. That is shockingly low and it allows the nutrition crisis to continue. Unfortunately, without substantial new investment in nutrition we will not see much improvement.

So while we all gather in Hyde Park this Saturday for the Big IF event, our leaders will be pledging new money for children.

With your pressure and support we hope that the Government will decide to substantially increase funding to nutrition and ensure millions of children around the world are given the future they deserve.

Ali Louis is the International Policy and Research Officer on Child Nutrition at UNICEF UK.

IF campaign: Going back to my school days

Anne Callaghan — Thu, 06 Jun 2013 09:29:00 GMT

Thousands of children's food plate drawings fill a room at the UNICEF UK offices. © UNICEF UK/ Nikola Ivanovski

UNICEF UK's Campaigns Manager Anne is jumping for joy at seeing pupils from her old school getting involved in the IF campaign and speaking up for children's rights.

In the week of the Big IF I feel as if I've gone back to my school days.

I was ridiculously excited when I saw that one of the 28,000+ IF plates created by schools around the country was from St Kentigern's in West Lothian in Scotland - my old secondary school. The plates will be handed in to Number 10 this Thursday ahead of the Nutrition for Growth event.

Pupils all around the UK have taken the IF plate action. The plates will be handed in to Downing Street on Thursday. © UNICEF UK/ Nikola Ivanovski

It took me back to when I was at school. Back then, getting active and speaking out on behalf of the world's children wasn't as big a part of school life. I remember trying to set up an Amnesty International group and being told no; pupils weren't listened to then, which was very frustrating.

Clearly times have changed at St Kentigern's. The school's part of our Rights Respecting Schools programme, and pupils recently won an award for their work on child rights. Here's a film they helped make to raise awareness of child poverty in the UK.

See my old school reminded me that school is where I first thought about questions of justice and it helped form my outlook in life. I remember being incensed at the situation in South Africa - apartheid was in full swing in the 1980s - and we were taken to see Richard Attenborough's Cry Freedom as part of our Modern Studies course (like citizenship). I came out of that film feeling absolutely enraged at the injustice of it all and wanting to help end it.

I got active on a number of different issues because I was inspired by passionate teachers at school. Years later I got a degree in politics, then in human rights. I got the chance to campaign for change professionally for organisations like Amnesty International and the Free Tibet campaign, and now UNICEF UK. And it's always the people who campaign while at school, after work, at the weekend, who inspire me.

I saw first hand the devastating effects that poverty and hunger can have on children when I visited Malawi last year. I met an incredible boy called Elias. He's just 13, but has had to look after his younger sisters and brother since their mother died. Poverty hurts. We can't look away.

If my generation has seen the end of apartheid in South Africa, something that seemed impossible when I was a child, I hope that this generation of St Kentigern's kids can be the one that finally sees the end of child hunger in the world. I hope that Elias and his family can develop to their full potential without fear of hunger. But it'll only happen IF we ALL take action.

That's why I'm inspired by the children and young people and teachers who've taken this plate action. They care and are willing to speak out on behalf of children around the world.

Over 100 children will be going in to Number 10 this Thursday, representing the IF campaign, to speak out against the injustice of hunger for millions of the world's children.

I hope to see those of you that can come to the BIG IF event in Hyde Park this Saturday, or BIG IF Belfast the following week. Be there virtually if you can't be there in person. It's time to be counted.

Anne Callaghan is Campaigns Manager at UNICEF UK

Join me at the BIG IF London

Guest Blogger — Wed, 05 Jun 2013 09:48:00 GMT

Children's Champion Perla Bronzi © UNICEF UK

Going to the BIG IF event in London on Saturday is about more than asking for policy change. It's about showing that the lives of children around the world are important to us, says UNICEF UK Children's Champion Perla Bronzi.

The BIG IF London will take place this Saturday in Hyde Park. Thousands of people will gather to make a stand against global hunger. Ahead of the G8 meeting on 17-18 June in Ireland, IF supporters are demanding that world leaders tackle the issues at the root of the hunger crisis. Issues like land grabbing, tax dodging and lack of transparency all contribute to the hunger problem by locking the 'less powerful' in a state of permanent dependence and deprivation.

The Enough Food for Everyone IF campaign launched in January, with the aim of making 2013 the beginning of the end of world hunger. Every year more than two million children die because they cannot get enough to eat.

As a Children's Champion, I became involved so that these children's voices would not be forgotten. I lobbied my MP and dressed up as George Osborne to spell out a giant IF in Parliament Square ahead of the budget in March. These campaigning actions culminated in the successful announcement that the UK Government will spend 0.7% of national income on aid.

At the beginning of the year, the UK took over the presidency of the G8. Since then, the UK has taken a leading role by pursuing policies to alleviate poverty and ultimately hunger. But wealthy countries around the world need to act to eradicate this global problem. The London rally is our big opportunity to ensure that issues like tax avoidance are high on the political agenda.

On Saturday, IF supporters will be creating a breathtaking field of flowers made out of 2 million petals - the number of children's lives lost to hunger ever year, when they could be saved. Each spinning flower will be a token of hope for a brighter future.

The success of every campaign relies on the public support that it can galvanise. We, as campaigners, have the power to direct world leaders' attention towards what we are interested in and care about.

By coming to the BIG IF London event we are not only asking for policy changes. We are showing that, although most of the people who struggle daily with hunger are strangers to us and will remain so, their lives are important and matter to us.

I hope you can join me there.

Perla Bronzi is UNICEF UK Children's Champion.

The opportunity to end child hunger and malnutrition is now

David Bull — Fri, 31 May 2013 16:30:00 GMT

Mirriam Chongo prepares a meal for her seven-month-old son, Peter Chibeka, in their village in Zambia. © UNICEF/CHRISTINE NESBITT

In Zambia, mother Mirriam Chongo prepares a meal for her one-year-old son, Peter, outside their home in Mwamfule village. She was making nsima - cornmeal cooked into a thick paste. Unable to get the vital nutrients a child needs, Peter is chronically malnourished and his growth has been stunted as a result.

Peter is just one of many millions of children who have not had access to the right nutrients in their first 1,000 days of life. Without this crucial nutrition in their first days and years, they cannot develop mentally and physically. Their growth is stunted, meaning that they cannot reach their full potential, and they cannot grow up to bring prosperity to their families, communities and countries. The damage done to their bodies and brains is irreversible - there is no cure for stunting and Peter is just one of 165 million children facing a life of lost potential and pain.

However, we know that with the will of governments and expertise of organisations like ourselves, we have the power to change this statistic and improve the lives of millions of children. By addressing chronic malnutrition, we can break the poverty cycle and ensure effective global development.

Adequate nutrition not only benefits the health and life chances of a child, it is also the most cost-effective way to boost development and break ingrained poverty. Investing in nutrition can increase a country's GDP by at least 2-3% annually and recoup billions of dollars in lost productivity and avoidable healthcare spending.

A UNICEF report, released last month, Improving child nutrition: The achievable imperative for global progress, is clear that the staggering problem of stunting can be alleviated with scaled-up investment in simple, low-cost solutions. We know that a holistic approach which includes access to nutritious food and safe water, and promoting exclusive breastfeeding and good hygiene are key solutions for preventing and treating under-nutrition and stopping intergenerational cycles of stunting in children.

And there are proven results, also documented in our report. By scaling up nutrition and improving programmes and behaviour change in Peru for example, stunting fell by a third between 2006 and 2011; and in Ethiopia stunting in children decreased from 57% to 44% between 2000 and 2011. In fact, over the past 20 years alone, the number of undernourished children in the world has fallen by 88 million. And I'm proud that UNICEF and partners have played a crucial role in this success. But now is the time to push beyond what we've already achieved.

In just over a week, on 8 June, the UK Government will host the Nutrition for Growth Event ahead of the G8, presenting the opportunity to establish long-term change for children, their communities and nations across the world. As a global leader in child nutrition, UNICEF wants to see further commitments to bring about an even greater reduction in the number of children exposed to the damaging effects of chronic malnutrition, as an important milestone towards the elimination of child malnutrition.

Everyone has their role to play in achieving this goal; the Nutrition for Growth Summit is an opportunity to bring the public sector and private sector together to ensure that the multifaceted approach, required to end child malnutrition, is delivered. The private sector must help accelerate action to tackle the underlying causes of malnutrition including addressing low incomes and insufficient crop yields.

On Saturday 8 June, we have a real opportunity to not only change the futures of millions of children, but also those of their countries. I hope all those attending the Nutrition for Growth Event see the power they have to impact long-term global development and make the financial commitment necessary.

UNICEF UK is part of the UK's Enough Food for Everyone IF campaign, lobbying G8 leaders to end world hunger - enoughfoodif.org

*This article was also published in Huffington Post UK.

David Bull is Executive Director of UNICEF UK.

All children have hopes and dreams

UNICEF News — Thu, 30 May 2013 10:37:00 GMT

This open letter, signed by eight stars of British Paralympic sport, was published in the Telegraph on 30 June 2013.

A young girl in Jordan plays wheelchair basketball, in part of a national push to include disabled children in sport. © International Inspiration/Andrew Baker

All children have hopes and dreams, but too many children around the world struggle to realise them. This year, UNICEF’s flagship report, the State of the World’s Children, focuses on those with disabilities and finds that surviving and thriving, let alone achieving dreams, can be especially tough for them.

Last year’s Paralympic Games in London were a celebration of human strength and determination. They changed the way that people look at disability. But in too many places, children with disabilities are still last in line and discriminated against.

UNICEF’s report finds that disabled children are more vulnerable to malnutrition, with certain conditions, such as cystic fibrosis, making it much harder for them to absorb the nutrients they need. Other children with disabilities are hidden away from community feeding initiatives because of prejudice, and their health suffers as a result. Poor nutrition in early childhood is also leading to preventable disabilities, for example, between 250,000 and 500,000 children are at risk of becoming blind each year from vitamin A deficiency, which can easily be treated if doctors are given the funds.

The Government has a chance to address this at the UK’s Nutrition for Growth event next week, which comes just before the G8 summit. By pledging funds to tackle malnutrition, Britain and other world powers can give all children the best start in life and a better chance of turning dreams into reality.

Baroness Grey-Thompson

Jonnie Peacock

Ade Adepitan

Stefanie Reid

Shelly Woods

Natasha Baker

Richard Whitehead

Marc Woods

The letter appeared in the Telegraph on 30 June

No limits for children with disabilities

Guest Blogger — Thu, 30 May 2013 08:40:00 GMT

I have brittle bones, but it doesn't mean I am not capable, says 16-year-old Hollie Warren from Carlisle.

Sometimes people are quick to judge and they decide what I can and can't do before I even speak. They don't know how to handle me or my disability. I'm in a mainstream school, however, I have to have a teaching assistant and sometimes that can be quite isolating. I need help for some things – for instance, I don't have very good vision - but I am perfectly capable of getting involved. Ignorance is the root of most of the problems I come across.

UNICEF’s new State of the World’s Children report, released today, which focuses on children with disabilities, outlines why our focus must be on what everyone can achieve, rather than what they can’t do. The research finds that by being more accepting, and including everyone, we could produce huge benefits for our whole society.

Children with disabilities are some of the most disadvantaged people in the world. They are often last in line for services like health care and education and are at greater risk of being poor than other children. They are four times more likely to be subject to violence than their peers. It's time we did something about it.

Speaking at the launch of UNICEF’s report in Vietnam will be my friend Phuong Anh. Although I live in Carlisle, England and Anh lives thousands of miles away in Hanoi, Vietnam, we are great friends. I met her on twitter. She tweeted something about having brittle bones and I tweeted her back to say I have the condition too. Social networks are incredible. We have the same type of brittle bones. I use a wheelchair part time and Anh usually uses her chair. Now we keep in touch via skype and messaging.

I know Anh sometimes experiences problems in Vietnam. She can't always move around easily at her school and that can be really frustrating as she feels different. We talk about everything. Sometimes we discuss things like dealing with pain and it's nice to have someone to talk to who has the same condition.

Generally, we both cope in a very similar way - through a positive outlook. It's not very useful to get angry and we’re just like lots of other girls our age - talking about boys and One Direction. I've learned a lot about life in Vietnam from Anh. We don't let our disability hold us back.

I follow the example of other people in the public eye - like Nick Vujicic, from Australia, who was born without limbs and is a motivational speaker. He has embraced his disability and achieved so much.

Anh is also a source of inspiration. Not long after I met her in 2011, she auditioned for Vietnam's Got Talent and she went really far in the competition. I watched her on YouTube and she let me know the backstage gossip.

She started to get recognised by people in the street and she really helped challenge attitudes towards young people with disabilities. Personally, in the future I'd like to make films as I'll be starting a BTEC in broadcast and media next year. I’ve always wanted to make a documentary on my condition and meet other people and see how they cope with it.

If I could change anything in the world, I'd make people more aware about disability in general. People shouldn't be mistreated because they are born a certain way or end up with a particular condition. If everyone were included and treated the same, we could achieve whatever we put our mind to. I am determined to set a good example and to encourage understanding. Attitudes and actions have to change.

Read the new UNICEF report on children with disabilities

This blog also appears on the Huffington Post

Children of Syria: Filming a TV appeal

Helen Pattinson — Wed, 29 May 2013 14:01:00 GMT

In May 2013, UNICEF UK's Helen Pattinson visited Domiz refugee camp in Iraq to find out about UNICEF's work for Syrian children living in the camp. Read the first and second parts of her blog, and watch the TV appeal that was filmed during the visit.

It's 6am and I'm sat on a rock next to filthy, stale sewage. The camera crew we have brought to film the situation for Syrian children are at the top of the UNICEF water tower, looking down on Domiz as the camp wakes up.

We are no strangers to filthy water, open gutters and sewage. The place where we're sitting is a conglomeration of many streams of sewage-filled water running between some of the houses. Here children live, play, survive. They do not have anywhere else to go. UNICEF workers on the ground have told me they want to build a playground. This is not top of the list of priorities given that so many children are not yet in school, but on visiting the island, you realise how heartbreaking it is that children don't have a safe place to play. UNICEF staff are acutely aware of the sewage problem. They tell me their design of an appropriate system was halted by the vast numbers arriving.

We are filming on the island, with little twins Ava and Sharim. In the near 40C heat, the stench is unbelievable. But what strikes me most is the haunting look the twins have in their eyes. Jon, our Director of Operations is making a TV advert about what these children are facing. They stand with him, still and watching the camera. I wonder what they have seen to make them so silent.

The other children watch on too. They cannot understand the words Jon is using, but they are fascinated. When we have finished we play with the children, throwing a UNICEF balloon in the air. That these children have so little to do makes me very sad.

UNICEF UK's Jon Sparkes with a young girl during the filming of TV appeal about the Syria crisis © UNICEF/2013/Schermbrucker

We know from UNICEF child protection workers than children in the camps can become at risk of domestic violence because they are restless and don’t have activities, which can cause tensions with their parents. In a session to support parents, the mothers admitted they are stressed and depressed after being forced to leave Syria in extreme conditions. They know they can be short tempered with their children. Many families are living together in tents (there is literally not enough room). Some families have waited three days just in the registration tent, because there is nowhere else for them to go. The conditions are hard, and anxiety and stress are commonplace. Thirty-five community health workers work in the camp, managing it in sections. But they are only able to see each family once a month.

I believe my colleagues when they talk about the problem of domestic violence, but to be honest it isn't something we have experienced. The parents are lovely, welcoming to our group and have a real desire to share their stories. We want to hear. More than anything, I want to understand what life is like for them.

One father tells me about how they made the journey to Iraq to stop his worst fears being realised; that his children will be kidnapped. The children miss their grandmother who is back in Syria, and it makes them very upset to even hear her voice on the phone. His wife becomes very tearful as she remembers her house, her street, her friends. The father points out that money comes and goes, but his family are more precious than gold.

We visit a UNICEF-supported hospital, where staff show me a map of all the diarrhoea cases, by tent. This is clearly being managed very well, despite the concerns staff express about the quality and quantity of the water. There are simply too many people, and the hot summer months will put an additional strain on these already stretched resources. UNICEF is supporting all new arrivals with vaccinations against diseases and there has recently been a big vaccination campaign to stem the outbreak of measles. They are about to start work in 'baby huts' where new mums can get advice and support, as well as help with breastfeeding. You cannot fail to be inspired, particularly as you see aid agencies working together to help the Syrian people.

One young girl, heavily pregnant has arrived at the hospital. She winces in pain as her contractions come. She is about to give birth to new life, in the most unimaginable conditions for a young baby. In the coming hours, she will undoubtedly be well looked after by the staff at the clinic. But after that, tomorrow and the next day, you can't help but wonder about what the future prospects are for this next generation, so far away from home.

Helen Pattinson is Head of Direct Marketing at UNICEF UK

IF campaign: Report from UNICEF nutrition conference

Ali Louis — Fri, 24 May 2013 09:53:00 GMT

Raya Achirou plays with her 8-month-old daughter Nana at the UNICEF-supported Bilmari Health Centre in Niger. Nana is suffering from malnutrition and being treated at the centre with ready-to-use therapeutic food. © UNICEF/NYHQ2012-0178/Asselin

Last week I and another colleague from UNICEF UK travelled to Paris for the UNICEF International Conference on Undernutrition.

Over 400 people attended the conference; half were representatives from Sub-Saharan Africa. There were also colleagues from other charities, journalists, economists and other UNICEF national committees.

The conference had a specific focus on Sub-Saharan Africa and resilience for communities. It was an excellent opportunity to learn from colleagues around the world about how they were tackling malnutrition in children, concentrating on the first 1,000 days of life.

The conference was a prelude to an extremely important event held in London this June. Prior to the G8 in Northern Ireland, the Prime Minister will host a Nutrition for Growth Summit on 8 June. Countries from around the world, including the G8 countries, will be invited. This will be a pledging conference; we hope that governments, foundations and some large charities will commit to financing nutrition programmes around the world.

The conference in Paris aimed to rally support and outline the case for investing in child nutrition.

The case is clear: over 2 million children die from malnutrition. Not only do we lose precious lives but countries lose 2-3% of their GDP due to malnutrition. Furthermore, those children who survive are permanently affected by the lack of good nutrition in their first 1,000 days. Investing in nutrition will provide a generation of children the opportunity to flourish, to avoid illness, learn and earn more.

In Paris I saw leadership, passion and determination from Sub-Saharan African countries to fight malnutrition. It was inspiring to see so many people from around the world come together to say enough is enough.

We learned about how improved hygiene could have a drastic impact on malnutrition rates, why breastfeeding will be at the forefront of fighting malnutrition, and discussed what involvement the private sector could have.

It was clear we all understood the severity of the problem, we knew what was causing it, and we knew what needed to be done to end it. Yet it was also evident that we have to work together and commit to ending child malnutrition.

I hope that this June, governments around the world will act to stop children needlessly dying from malnutrition.

Join us on 8 June for the Big IF Event in Hyde Park.

Ali Louis is the International Policy and Research Officer on Child Nutrition at UNICEF UK.