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UNICEF Executive Director in visit to Haiti

NEW YORK, 3 February 2010 – UNICEF Executive Director Ann M. Veneman is departing today for the Dominican Republic as the first stop on her way to visit quake-struck Haiti, as the children’s agency kicks off a massive immunization campaign aimed at reaching 500,000 children under the age of 7.

Veneman is arriving in Port-au-Prince on the morning of Thursday, 4 February and will spend the day with children at locations around the capital city, including several residential centers for children and women.

She will also visit an immunization center where children will be receiving vaccinations against measles, diphtheria and tetanus, all diseases that can be deadly in times of crises, and which are all vaccine preventable.

She is also scheduled to meet with President René Preval later on Thursday.

Following her trip to Haiti, she will return to the Dominican Republic where UNICEF is working to supply Haitian relief efforts.

This is Veneman’s second visit to the island nation.

For further information, please contact:

Kate Donovan, UNICEF Media,
Tel + 1 212 326 7452
E-mail: kdonovan@unicef.org