Press releases & statements
Young Pacific Film Producer Wins International Award
Suva, 3 February 2011 – 16 year old Vanuatu film maker Nenneth Sakita has scooped up a 2011 OneMinutesJr. Award for the film “Discrimination Against Women”. The film was selected by an independent jury in competition with 250 videos from around the world.
Boost for Quality Primary Education in Vanuatu
Regional Child Protection Meeting Ends on a High with ‘Lami Declaration’
SUVA, 09 December, 2011-- The end of a rich week of learning, sharing and developing new ways forward for the children of the Pacific was marked with the endorsement of the ‘Lami Declaration’ by over 70 Child Protection Champions present at the 2011 ...
Message on the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women 25th November
Violence against women and girls takes many forms and is widespread throughout the globe. It includes rape, domestic violence, harassment at work, abuse in school, female genital mutilation and sexual violence in armed conflicts.
UNICEF Study Provides New Insight into How Poverty Affects Children
Bangkok, 22 November – A new UNICEF study analysing child poverty in East Asia and the Pacific emphasizes that poverty affects children in vastly different ways than adults. As a result, policy makers need to look beyond family income indicators
UNICEF and World Day of Prayer and Action for Children to protect children against violence
NEW YORK, 20 November 2011 – On the occasion of the 22nd anniversary of the Convention on the Rights of the Child, UNICEF today joined with World Day of Prayer and Action for Children in launching a new three-year initiative in more than 30 countries
East Asia-Pacific Children Highly Vulnerable to Climate Change Impacts
Bangkok, 14 November 2011 – According to a UNICEF report, Children’s Vulnerabilities to Climate Change and Disaster Impacts in East Asia and the Pacific, children will be among those most affected by climate change. Millions of children...
The secretary Genral Message for UN Day
Days from now, the human family will welcome its seven billionth member. Some say our planet is too crowded. I say we are seven billion strong. The world has made remarkable progress since the United Nations was born 66 years ago today.
“Clean hands save lives” — Global Handwashing Day 2011
NEW YORK, 14 October 2011 – UNICEF joins hundreds of millions of people across the globe tomorrow in celebrating the 4th annual Global Handwashing Day, emphasizing the importance of handwashing with soap as an effective, simple, and affordable way ...
UNICEF Statement on Emergency in Tuvalu
SUVA, 07 October 2011 – UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) is deeply concerned at the plight of those affected by the severe water shortage in Tuvalu, especially the most vulnerable, children and women.
15,000 Villagers and 3,000 School Children to Benefit from EU Water Facility Project
Five provinces - Choiseul, Isabel, Makira, Renbel and Temotu – will have increased access to improved water supply and sanitation facilities within the next four years. An estimated €2,570,087(approximately SBD 26.5 million) will be invested ...
12,000 fewer children perish daily in 2010 than in 1990 – UNICEF, WHO
NEW YORK/GENEVA, 15 September 2011 – The number of children under five years of age dying each year declined from more than 12 million in 1990 to 7.6 million in 2010, UNICEF and the World Health Organization said today, releasing the latest estimates ...
Lack of Investment Could Result in “Lost Generation” of Pacific Youth
Poverty, a lack of access to health and education services and dwindling job opportunities are preventing Pacific youth from reaching their full potential. Failing to invest in their development will be costly to governments in the long run...
United Nations Secretary General Calls for Unity on Climate Change in Kiribati
Tarawa, 6 September 2011—Pacific Island countries have to rise above their differences, join forces and make common cause towards the urgent issue of climate change.
UN Secretary General in Kiribati Reaffirms Climate Change Commitment
Tarawa, 5 September 2011— “Many countries are dealing with climate change. But here, climate change threatens your territory, your culture and your very way of life.”
United Nations Secretary General, Ban Ki-moon arrives in Kiribati
Tarawa, 5 September 2011— United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon arrived for a two-day visit in Kiribati on Sunday, and attended bilateral meetings before a state dinner in the island’s capital, Tarawa, hosted by the President, H.E Anote Tong
Hibiscus Princes and Princesses are Child Protection Champions
SUVA, 24 August 2011 – UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) Pacific Representative, Dr. Isiye Ndombi crowned the first Child Protection Champions – Hibiscus Prince and Princess.
UNICEF celebrates Global Breastfeeding Week by taking the message beyond health clinics
Suva, 3 August 2011 - During World Breastfeeding Week, UNICEF joins global partners in calling for the benefits of breastfeeding to be broadcast beyond clinics and delivery rooms to the public at large, ensuring that young people both in the developing...
Pacific youth produce TV
Port Vila, Vanuatu and Honiara, the Solomon Islands, 11-22 July 2011: 40 youth are these days producing one minute TV spots in Vanuatu and the Solomon Islands. Each of the spots contain a unique story as seen and told in living pictures ...
UNICEF Pacific Ambassador puts Focus on Young Voice - Our Pacific, Our Future event -
The first UNICEF (UN Children’s Fund) Regional Ambassador for the Pacific, Merewalesi (Mere) Nailatikau, is heading to New Zealand for a series of events to put the spotlight on issues affecting young people in the Pacific Islands.
Tonga Parliamentarians act on child rights issues
Nuku’alofa, Tonga, 27 June 2011—Tonga parliamentarians are moving to act on alarming challenges in the area of education and nutrition faced by vulnerable children in Tonga.
In the Birthplace of the Olympics, Special Olympics and UNICEF Join Efforts to Fight Marginalization of Children with Disabilities
ATHENS, 27 JUNE, 2011 – Against the backdrop of Special Olympics World Summer Games in Athens, Special Olympics and UNICEF today signed a Memorandum of Understanding to strengthen their joint commitment to uphold the rights, dignity and inclusion of child
UNICEF calls African governments to protect children from violence, exploitation and abuse
NEW YORK/ADDIS ABABA, 16 June 2011 – Thousands of children in Africa are experiencing violence, exploitation and abuse on a daily basis. The situation is especially stark for children living and working on the streets.
UNICEF applauds donor pledges to children’s health
LONDON, 13 June 2011 - The generosity and commitment of the donors at today’s GAVI replenishment conference will benefit the lives of millions of the poorest and most vulnerable children around the world, UNICEF said today...
Vaccinate every child, says UNICEF, as donors map out new immunization programmes
NEW YORK/LONDON/GENEVA/COPENHAGEN, 6 June 2011- As world leaders prepare to converge on London for the GAVI Alliance pledging conference next week, UNICEF is calling on donors to fund a global immunization effort to save millions of children’s ...
Crucial Time to Turn Commitments into Action
New York, 3 June 2011: Global efforts to improve the lives of children affected by HIV and AIDS are increasing but still fall short of the growing needs of millions. At the end of 2010, an estimated 16.6 million children lost one or both parents to AIDS
Preparing Our Schools for Disasters is Important
HONIARA, 25 May 2011 – The Ministry of Education and Human Resource Development (MEHRD) with support from the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), Save the Children and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) conducted a national Frontline...
UNICEF says education for women and girls a lifeline to development
NEW YORK, 4 May 2011 – Making sure girls and women have equal access to quality education is key to sustainable economic development, UNICEF said today, as the world celebrates Global Action Week on Education.
High food prices in the Pacific increases hardship for vulnerable families and children
Suva, Fiji, 14 April 2011— As global food prices surge to new peaks, the Pacific’s most vulnerable families and children are at risk. UNICEF is expressing particular concern for the urban poor and calling for action by governments and partners...
Behind the bytes
Suva, 3 February 2011 – 16 year old Vanuatu film maker Nenneth Sakita has scooped up a 2011 OneMinutesJr. Award for the film “Discrimination Against Women”. The film was selected by an independent jury in competition with 250 videos from around the world.
Government of Tonga takes steps towards addressing food price increases
Nuku’alofa, Tonga, 1 April 2011— Government officials at a workshop this week have identified policy priorities and determined next steps to address food price increases in Tonga
New HIV/AIDs baseline reports show alarming trend on vulnerability among young people in the Pacific
Suva, Fiji, 24 March 2011—Results of recently completed baseline reports on HIV/AIDS risk among most at-risk young people in three Pacific Island Countries reveal an alarmingly high level of vulnerability among adolescents who are engaging...
UNICEF: Investing in adolescents can break cycles of poverty and inequity
Suva Fiji 26 February 2011 – UNICEF today called for urgent commitment and targeted investment by governments, partners and key stakeholders to break entrenched cycles of poverty and inequity faced by more than 1 billion adolescents aged 10-19...
UNICEF focuses attention on water in Tanna
PORT VILA, VANUATU, 9 FEBRUARY 2011–Approximately 4,000 people in the hardest hit communities of Vanuatu’s Tafea Province, following the passage of tropical cyclone Vania last month, now have access to safe drinking water.
TC Vania destroys crops and livelihoods in Tanna
UNICEF and partners responding to prevent hunger and disease
Making Clean Hands a Priority for More than Just a Day, Global Handwashing Day Partners Lather Up with Millions Around the World
NEW YORK/GENEVA 15 October 2010 - For the third annual Global Handwashing Day, more than 200 million schoolchildren, parents, teachers, celebrities and government officials around the world will lather up, but at the end of the day, they aim to have more
Not Just Representatives from Health but Finance and Planning Involved in 6th PIPS Meeting
NADI, 01 October 2010 -- For the first time since PIPS was held in 2004, workshop organisers invited not only health practitioners and partners but representatives from Ministries of Finance and Planning from the region.
Vaccine Independence Initiative (VII) Focus of Day 4
NADI, 30 September 2010 – Discussions on Day 4 of the 6th Pacific Immunisation Programme Strengthening (PIPS) Workshop was dedicated to the Vaccine Independence Initiative (VII).
Several Immunisations Developed in the 21st Century to Stop Childhood Deaths and Cervical Cancer
NADI, 29 September 2010 – “The first decade of the 21st century can be described as the golden years for immunisation history with the licensure of vaccines against major diseases such as diarrhoea, pneumonia, meningitis and cervical cancer.”
More Developing countries show universal access to HIV and AIDS services in possible
Sustained commitments necessary to secure future progress
“We Need Your Samples” – Fiji National Public Health Laboratory Seek Pacific Support in Provision of Samples
NADI, 28 September 2010 – Pacific Island health practitioners at the 6th Pacific Immunisation Programme Strengthening (PIPS) Workshop were asked to consider the Fiji National Public Health Laboratory which received World Health Organisation (WHO) accredit
New Countries Endorse the Paris Commitments to End the Use of Child Combatants
NEW YORK, 27 September 2010 – New countries today endorsed the ‘Paris Commitments’ to end the use of child soldiers, joining a growing list of States that have pledged to protect children from recruitment and use by armed forces and groups.
Partnerships Critical to Continue Success of Immunisation Programme in Pacific
NADI, 27 September 2010 – Representatives of regional and international agencies continued to praise the efforts of the Pacific Immunisation Programme Strengthening partnership in keeping the Pacific polio-free, near elimination of measles and reducing he
Media Training on Development Ends with Awards
Suva, August 27 2010-- A weeklong training for journalists on the importance of Development with linkages to the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and other regional commitments like the Cairns Compact, Outcomes of the Global Economic Crisis and Pacific
Young of Central Asia and Eastern Europe Suffering Blame and Banishment
VIENNA, 19 July 2010 - An underground HIV epidemic in Eastern Europe and Central Asia is intensifying at an alarming pace, fueled by drug use, high-risk sexual behavior and high levels of social stigma that discourage people from seeking prevention...
Historic Pacific Gathering agrees regional way forward for improving security
Suva, 3 February 2011 – 16 year old Vanuatu film maker Nenneth Sakita has scooped up a 2011 OneMinutesJr. Award for the film “Discrimination Against Women”. The film was selected by an independent jury in competition with 250 videos from around the world.
No food security without protecting our land and our poor
Boosting agriculture, creating viable local food systems and protecting the vulnerable will have measurable impacts on improving Pacific food security.
We are what we eat
A radical rethink is needed on food if the Pacific is going to secure access to healthy, safe, high quality and nutritious food for all.
“Protect me with Love and Care” Children Say
SUVA, 13 April 2009 – The UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) Pacific office today released the Child Protection Baseline Reports - “Protect me with Love and Care” for Fiji, Kiribati, Solomon Islands and Vanuatu...
Facts for life saves lives
SUVA, 8 April 2009 – The 4th edition of Facts for Life which provides practical advice on pregnancy, childbirth, childhood illnesses, child development and the care of children, was launched and made available on the internet today.
Pacific conference on the Human Face of the global economic crisis
[Port Vila – February 12] The human face of the vulnerable in the Pacific could be a young girl in Tokelau straining her eyes to read her school books by the light of a kerosene lamp. Another human face of the vulnerable in the Pacific could be an elderly
Young Solomon Islander to recieve prize from UNDP administrator Helen Clark
Port Vila, February 6, 2010 – University of the South Pacific student, Miss June Atomea is the winner of the Human Face story competition. Twenty-two year old, Ms Atomea, who is from Northern Malaita in the Solomon Islands submitted her essay titled ‘Sile
Three high-level UN meeting in Vanuatu put spotlight on development in the Pacific
Port Vila, February 5, 2010 – Three high-level United Nations meetings will take place in Vanuatu next week, bringing together top UN officials, other development partners and leaders from the Pacific to assess the challenges faced by the region and to map out strategies to spur development amid the current global economic crisis.
Schools to Open Despite Emergency
SUVA, 15 January 2010 – Widespread landslides, flash floods, damaged schools, water contamination and reports of diarrhoea, red eye, psychological trauma, coughing and the ‘flu’ were cited in the assessment conducted by the National Disaster Management Office (NDMO), UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF), UN Development Programme (UNDP), and other partners (OXFAM, Red Cross, Save the Children, ADRA and World Vision).
Second tsunami in three years hits Solomon Islands
Gizo, 5 January 2009 – UNICEF Pacific is providing immediate support to the victims of a tsunami that hit Rendova and Tetepare Islands in the Solomon Islands on 4 January.
UNICEF Ready to Support People Affected in the Rewa River Delta
SUVA, 18 December 2009 – The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) is focusing on ensuring support to people living in informal settlements in the Rewa River Delta.
Under-Nutrition Causes Poverty However Solutions Exist
PORT VILA, 12 November 2009 – Under-nutrition is both a consequence and a cause of poverty. Childhood under-nutrition makes learning more difficult and ill health more likely, which hinders a child’s capacity to secure a job as an adult...
Preparations Underway for Pacific Conference on Global Economic Crisis
Suva – November 4] Preparations are underway in the Pacific for a major meeting to map ways to protect the region’s vulnerable from the impacts of the Global Economic and Financial Crisis.
Pacific Disasters Prompts Education in Emergencies Workshop in Port Vila, Vanuatu
PORT VILA, 7 September, 2009 – The Pacific region faces a number of risks from natural disasters and is particularly vulnerable to cyclones, tsunamis, earthquakes and volcanic eruptions.
Emergency Safe Water Actions for Nadroga Navosa
UNICEF Pacific partners with European Commission Humanitarian Office (ECHO) to respond to the flood affected schools and communities in Fiji.
Partnerships between Community, National and Provincial Governments and UNICEF produces sustainable results for children in Western Province.
GIZO, 27 July, 2009
Fiji hospitals are all baby-friendly
SUVA, 18 May, 2009
Pandemic Preparedness Essential Despite Uncertainties
JAPAN, 13 May, 2009
Immunization Workshop Timely as the World Deals with Influenza A H1N1
JAPAN, 11 May, 2009
United Nations strengthens operations in Tuvalu - More support for meeting MDG targets
FUNAFUTI, 8 May 2009
