Gaza’s children need your help! UNICEF Iran launches fundraising appealTehran, 1 February 2009 – In an effort to support the currently ongoing humanitarian efforts for the families and children of Gaza, suffering from the devastating physical and psychosocial effects of the recent conflict, UNICEF Iran is appealing to the citizens of Iran to donate generously to help children of Gaza to move gradually from the bitterness of war to a more peaceful normal life. Over half of Gaza’s population of nearly 1.5 million people are children. During the recent conflict, they have had to experience death and injury, loss of parents and siblings, violence and destruction. Children have been 31 per cent of those killed, 36 per cent of the injured and 55 per cent of the displaced in Gaza. Since the ceasefire between the warring parties has allowed for access to Gaza for humanitarian convoys, UNICEF has been delivering food, fuel and medicine to Gaza’s hospitals. It has also sent 355 First Aid kits and 20 resuscitation kits sufficient for 10-15 critical operations to the Ministry of Health’s Medical Stores in Gaza. Iran’s citizens can now also help UNICEF’s efforts for the families and children in Gaza by donating to
Bank Melli, Eskan branch (accessible through all branches) Key word: GAZA or send your cheques to: UNICEF Iran P.O. Box 19395, 1176 Tehran Tel. 22594994, ext.111
Five emergency health kits, each enough to serve 10,000 people for three months, are being diverted from the West Bank into Gaza. In addition, UNICEF supports five psychosocial teams, each composed of 20-30 social workers, psychologists, lawyers and volunteers, which provide immediate, direct assistance to children and their families following emergencies. The teams will conduct emergency home and hospital visits and provide psychosocial and socio-legal assistance as soon as conditions permit. In the West Bank, UNICEF continues to work to improve the quality of education as well as water and sanitation systems, especially in schools and health centers. UNICEF also supports the Ministry of Social Affairs and non-governmental organizations in activities to reduce stress and mitigate the impact of violence by providing psycho-social assistance to children and adolescents to relieve stress.
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