FieldNotes

1 million children at risk in Central and West Africa

UNICEF USA — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 22:43:15 +0000

An estimated 1 million children stand on the brink of severe acute malnutrition in the Sahel region of Africa. UNICEF is calling for an intensive and immediate response to the crisis, detailed in a Humanitarian Action Update released today. Sahel is one of the poorest regions in the world where children already face daunting odds of survival. Without immediate humanitarian aid an already desperate situation will only become worse. Inadequate rain, poor harvests and rising food prices have left hundreds of thousands of children vulnerable and weak. UNICEF is providing nutrition supplies, as well as clean water and sanitation facilities at feeding centers. Please donate online to support UNICEF's relief efforts for children in emergencies.

UNICEF: Allow help to Syrian children caught in violence

UNICEF USA — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 18:48:29 +0000

Nearly eleven months of violence in Syria have led to the deaths and injuries of hundreds of children. "This must stop. Even one child killed in the violence is one child too many," said UNICEF Executive Director Anthony Lake. "We urge the Syrian authorities to allow help to all those who need it desperately." UNICEF does not have access to the affected areas of Homs and cannot confirm the impact of the attacks there, but there are credible reports, including from international media inside Homs, that children are caught in the violence.

Tap Project regional trainings kick off!

Joy Davis, UNICEF USA — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 20:13:11 +0000

This weekend the UNICEF Tap Project Team kicked off the first round of regional trainings. Chicago, Los Angeles and New York City welcomed nearly 250 volunteers! Volunteers left the regional training equipped with everything they need for the 2012 UNICEF Tap Project Campaign. Volunteers learned about the history of UNICEF, the global water crisis, how to recruit participating restaurants to the campaign and how giving $1 can make a big difference in a child’s life.

CARYL STERN: Building Haiti back stronger in action

Caryl M. Stern, UNICEF USA President and CEO — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 22:54:38 +0000

The resounding message I heard while visiting Haiti last week was that “We are survivors, not victims.” Old and young alike affirmed to me their eagerness to build Haiti back stronger, to play a role in its future and lift its people out of poverty. Not only did I hear this message, I saw it in action at the Qui Croit nutrition center in Kenscoff, a mountainous region outside of Port- au- Prince. Emergency relief helps people survive immediate, life-threatening hardships. On-going development support helps people get the information and tools to take charge of their own lives and futures. True change takes effort and time. There will be setbacks and frustrations. The people I met in Haiti are prepared to persevere in spite of what may come. There is more to share from my visit but for now, I’d like to say “thank you” on behalf of the courageous people I met - for your immediate support when the earthquake hit and for your on-going support that helping Haitian’s take charge of their lives once again

Responding to emergencies loud and silent

Adam Fifield, UNICEF USA — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 19:49:21 +0000

Few people may get excited to read weighty, official reports. But UNICEF’s Humanitarian Action for Children 2012 is no ordinary report. Instead, it is a gripping portrait of the devastating toll of disasters all over the world and the unrelenting efforts of UNICEF and others to save those in their path.

Selena Gomez performs sold out concert to benefit UNICEF

UNICEF USA — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 15:04:27 +0000

UNICEF Ambassador Selena Gomez held her 2nd Annual Charity Concert benefitting UNICEF on Friday, January 20, at the House of Blues in West Hollywood, CA. Hosted by Jake Whetter of Radio Disney and joined by special musical guests, Big Time Rush and Noah Guthrie, Selena Gomez & The Scene performed to a sold-out show that raised over $200,000 for UNICEF to provide lifesaving nutrition, clean water, medicine, safety and education to children worldwide. “Giving back has always been important to me. This concert allows me to connect with my fans in person which is one of the best parts of my job and to raise money for important causes at the same time. I can’t think of anything I would enjoy doing more,” Gomez said of the charity concert.

And the winners of the Pier 1 Imports/UNICEF Greeting Card Contest are…

UNICEF USA — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 14:08:46 +0000

Congratulations to Kristen and Mitali—the Grand prize and the Fan’s Choice winners of the 2012 Pier 1 Imports/UNICEF Greeting Card Contest! As Grand prize winner Kristen will receive a $5,000 scholarship, and her school will receive $ 500 worth of art supplies. Also her design will be available as an official UNICEF Holiday Card in Pier 1 Imports stores. Mitali as winner of the Fan Choice Award will receive $500 worth of art supplies. A beloved annual tradition—each fall children from all over the United States are invited to submit their original artwork for an official UNICEF Holiday Greeting Card. The winning design is reproduced as a holiday greeting card available through Pier 1 Imports stores nationwide with 100% of the proceeds going towards helping children in need in 150 countries around the world.

Caryl Stern: Returning to Haiti

Caryl M. Stern, UNICEF USA President and CEO — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 20:47:24 +0000

Next week, I will report to you from Haiti. It will be an emotional trip, as I have not been to Haiti since late 2010 when Haitians were still trying to come to terms with the devastation around them. I am looking forward to meeting the children UNICEF is helping, thanks to your generosity post-earthquake. As always, I plan on giving and receiving lots of hugs and kisses next week, which is the greatest reward anyone who works in service to children could hope for. I will be sharing updates from Haiti at @carylstern on Twitter.

Selena Gomez’s 2nd Annual Charity Concert to Benefit UNICEF

UNICEF USA — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 15:32:52 +0000

UNICEF Ambassador Selena Gomez is starting off the new year with the ultimate fête – with her 2nd Annual Charity Concert benefitting UNICEF on Friday, January 20, at the House of Blues in West Hollywood, CA! Selena Gomez & The Scene will perform along with surprise musical guests, with profits from the concert benefitting the U.S. Fund for UNICEF to provide lifesaving nutrition, clean water, medicine, safety and education to children worldwide. The best part? The concert sold out immediately after tickets became available last week, meaning a rockin’ good time and a whole lot of support for UNICEF. For more information visit http://www.selenagomez.com/news/56353

‘Art in a Bag’ is a happy delivery for kids in Haiti

UNICEF USA — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 14:55:53 +0000

Children stand and watch as volunteers unload large, black plastic boxes from a UNICEF truck at the Child Friendly Space where they come each day to play, learn, and just be kids. Two years after most of them lost their homes and some, their families, the delivery of these supplies marks the launch of Art in a Bag or 'bwat Atis' in Creole - a new art therapy program created by UNICEF to provide displaced and impoverished children with a creative way of healing.