Some of the links that I have explored on UNICEF include: Press Centre, Where we work, Focus area, What we Do and other topics listed on the website.
One the Press Centre tab, I identified current UNICEF efforts such as:
· UNICEF ending child under nutrition critical to achieving vitually all MDGs by 2015
· UNICEF steps up its response to children affected by the crisis in Syria
· UNICEF break the cycle of disasters for the children of the Sahel and act now, says UNICEF
· UNICEF on World Water Day poor rural people missing out
· UNICEF denounces killing of children, women in Syrian city V Homs
· Disaster is stalking children in the Sahel
· UNICEF applauds landmark ruling on war crimes against children
These are just a few of the issues that are linked to equity, excellence in early care and education.
UNICEF: ON World Water Day, poor rural people missing out
On World Water Day, poor rural people missing out
As the world commemorates World Water Day, UNICEF asked governments to pay particular attention to those being left behind in their countries’ progress, especially with regard to access to safe drinking water and basic sanitation.
UNICEF gives a report on the progress on drinking water and sanitation 2012. They also reported that 783 million people still without improved sources of drinking water in 2010. Women and girls are the one that bear the burdens of collecting water for the families.
UNICEF works in 190 countries and territories to help children survive and thrive, from early childhood through adolescence. The world’s largest provider of vaccines for developing countries, UNICEF supports child health and nutrition, good water and sanitation, quality basic education for all boys and girls, and the protection of children from violence, exploitation, and AIDS. UNICEF is funded entirely by the voluntary contributions of individuals, businesses, foundations and governments. For more information about UNICEF and its work visit: www.unicef.org
Two weeks ago a UNICEF and World Health Organization report showed conclusively that poor people in rural areas are overwhelmingly those without these most basic necessities for life. In Maslow’s hierarchy of needs food, water and shelter is the most important necessity that one requires for survival.
Surveys conducted in 25 countries in sub-Saharan Africa found that in 71 per cent of all households without water on the premises women or girls are mainly responsible for water collection. In a nearby community where I live, the water smells of sewage, and most people by water for drinking. But all who pay the water bill has access to water.
Insights about issues and trends in the early childhood field that I have gained this week:
KAMPALA, announced on APRIL 2, 2012 that UNICEF appealed for the inclusion of nutrition security as an essential element in every national development plan – as critical as clean water and indispensable as education as one of their goals by 2015. It was recorded that 20 million children under the age of five, around the world suffer from severe acute malnutrition. In the report UNICEF identified some of the effects of malnutrition beginning with pregnancy and stunting growth and development. Since children are our future, we must advocate for them, because they are not able to speak for themselves.
