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14 results
  • Article (11)
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Page
10 February 2023
UNICEF Emergency Response in Hungary
https://www.unicef.org/eca/unicef-emergency-response-office-hungary
Background Access to primary healthcare remains a challenge for refugees in Hungary due to language barriers and limited capacity of national health systems to absorb increasing numbers of patients. It is therefore important to remove bottlenecks that hinder access for Ukrainian refugees to critical health services, immunization, advice on adequate nutrition and feeding practices for babies and children, as well as mental health and psychosocial support.   UNICEF’s response In December 2022, UNICEF partnered with the Municipality and the University of Debrecen, and the NGO Dorcas Ministries to increase access to health services and promote adequate nutrition and good feeding practices for both refugee and host community families. More than 6,800 children, parents and caregivers are expected to be reached with these services by the end of 2023. Through the collaboration with the University of Debrecen, UNICEF is procuring medical containers in refugee camps. These are staffed with health professionals, including Ukrainian health workers to provide services such as immunization, early childhood development, specialized mental health support, health promotion and health education.
Page
18 July 2019
Our goals for children
https://www.unicef.org/eca/where-we-work/our-goals-children
Half of all deaths among children under the age of five in the Region occur in the first month of life. 400,000 children under the age of one have not received the recommended three doses of DTP vaccine, and immunization rates are falling because of system failures and vaccine hesitancy. Less than 30 per cent of Roma children are fully immunized in parts of the Balkan countries. Only 32 per cent of babies in the Region are exclusively breastfed during their first six months of life – one of the lowest rates worldwide.
Page
04 October 2022
UNICEF Refugee Response Office in Poland
https://www.unicef.org/eca/poland
It’s vital those who’ve fled this brutal war have access to health care. Around 90% of the over 1.5 million Ukrainian refugees registered by the Polish government are women and children. This is a mother-and-child displacement crisis that has put much extra pressure on Poland’s public healthcare system. Low immunization rates in Ukraine mean that refugees are also at risk of vaccine-preventable diseases.   UNICEF’s health response in Poland is focused on preventing diseases through vaccines, building healthcare capacity and capability and looking after the specific needs of mothers, children and newborns.   “I believe that vaccination is important for children, for the entire population of the country. I think even during the war, we shouldn’t stop, because dangerous diseases are still nearby.”  Kateryna, a mother of two from the Kiyv region of Ukraine, now living in Poland. UNICEF/UN0705564/Strek UNICEF/UN0705564/Strek The solution  In partnership with the Ministry of Health and municipalities, we’re reached more than 500,000 refugees with information on essential child vaccinations via national and local campaigns. Our cooperation with the Ministry of Health also ensured the availability of critical supplies for routine childhood vaccinations.   In close cooperation with the World Health Organization (WHO) in Poland and national partners, we provide refugee families with information on access to health services. We have ensured health screening of refugee children and caregivers identified as vulnerable and have worked with municipalities to provide essential health supplies and access to healthcare.   In partnership with the Ministry of Health, we have developed a programme to support the primary health care of up to 200,000 women and children from Ukraine. To achieve this UNICEF has made a commitment to cover 50% of the cost of health care services provided to Ukrainian refugee women and children made by the National Health Funds to health care providers across the country in the period of February 2023 to August 2023. This is a significant investment in the health and wellbeing of the refugee population.  “My toys are back in Ukraine. My bed is there as well. I also miss my friend Danya, we used to play a lot.” Mykyta, 6 after receiving his vaccinations at a medical centre in Krakow In the area of infant and young child feeding, we’re working closely with the Ministry of Health and a local NGO, to encourage mothers to exclusively breastfeed and to provide information and support to ensure refugees are able to feed and care for their babies and young children as they adapt to life in a new country. We have established lactation groups in 10 maternity hospitals across the country to provide peer and expert support. When breastfeeding is not an option, our partnership with the Ministry of Health and a local NGO ensures control of the distribution of formula to refugees and alternative options, such as milk banks, to make sure it is accessible, affordable and safe for babies.  In addition to the promotion of infant and young child feeding, we’ve provided warm meals and complementary food to children in youth camps, preschools and primary schools, as well as accommodation centres. 
Press release
19 December 2022
Vaccination campaign targeting Ukrainian refugees in Czech Republic launched today
https://www.unicef.org/eca/press-releases/vaccination-campaign-targeting-ukrainian-refugees-czech-republic-launched-today
A campaign to drive uptake of routine and COVID-19 vaccination among Ukrainian refugees and the Ukrainian community was launched today in Brno, Czech Republic, by the Ministry of Health in collaboration with UNICEF. "This campaign builds upon the success of the previous one, which reached half a milion people with COVID-19 vaccination, including 420,000 people with a second booster dose. This time, we are focusing on the Ukrainian community in the Czech Republic because of the low vaccination coverage against measles and polio among Ukrainian children. By joining hands with UNICEF, we wish to tackle the spread of misinformation with practical and reliable information on the safety and effectiveness of vaccines,“ said Czech Health Minister Vlastimil Válek. “Vaccination is the most effective way to prevent infectious diseases. Since the start of the war, Ukraine has faced widespread disruption to healthcare services, including childhood and COVID-19 immunization programmes. The Czech Republic welcomed 140,000 Ukrainian refugee children this year. We need to make sure they all have access to basic health services, including vaccination. UNICEF is pleased to play a key role, alongside the Ministry of Health, in improving vaccination coverage and build trust in vaccines through the provision of information in Ukrainian ,” said Yulia Oleinik, Head of UNICEF Refugee Response Office in the Czech Republic. UNICEF is supporting the Ministry of Health with campaign content and microsite, and ensuring a wide reach of campaign messages. The microsite will provide useful and verfied information such as history of immunisation, data, practical tips and recommendations for preventing and treating diseases, as well as a map of vaccination sites across the country. The microsite will go live in December, while a Ukrainian language helpline is already accessible by dialling  +420226201221. 1 UNICEF
Page
09 June 2021
Mitigating the impact of COVID-19 on children and families in the Western Balkans and Türkiye
https://www.unicef.org/eca/mitigating-impact-covid-19-children-and-families-western-balkans-and-t%C3%BCrkiye
There is abundant evidence that children bear a heavy burden resulting from disrupted essential services, increased social isolation, and loss of family income. In pandemic times, parents and caregivers are more likely to feel overwhelmed with providing stimulation and care for their young children and delay seeking prompt medical attention for children. Childhood immunization and other basic services were often suspended. School closures can mean a year of lost learning and children become more susceptible to dropping out. Uncertainties have created family distress, which contributes to serious mental health issues, especially among children who are vulnerable to violence and abuse. The pandemic has deepened pre-existing vulnerabilities of children with disabilities and children living in poverty. In 2021, UNICEF and the European Commission Directorate-General for Neighbourhood and Enlargement Negotiations launched a two-year initiative to strengthen national health, education, early childhood development, and child protection systems to ensure continuity in the provision of core services for vulnerable children and their families in the immediate and the longer-term recovery response to COVID-19. The initiative is being implemented in Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo* [1] , Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia, and Türkiye.  
Press release
15 December 2022
More than 450,000 children and families supported through continued service delivery during COVID-19 pandemic
https://www.unicef.org/eca/press-releases/more-450000-children-and-families-supported-through-continued-service-delivery
Brussels/Geneva, 15 December 2022 – UNICEF and the European Commission Directorate-General for Neighbourhood and Enlargement Negotiations today marked the conclusion of the two-year programme “Mitigating the impact of COVID-19 on the most vulnerable children and families in the Western Balkans and Turkey” during a closing online event. Key benefits of the EU-UNICEF programme reached more than 450,000 families and children in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo * , Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia and Türkiye. “ Childhood and growing up in the time of COVID-19 was put on hold while governments around the world looked for the ways to adapt policies and services in the context of the biggest health crisis in this century,” said UNICEF Europe and Central Asia Deputy Regional Director Philippe Cori. “Thanks to the support of the EU, UNICEF worked with partners in the Western Balkans and T ürkiye to minimize the impact of this crisis on the most vulnerable children and families and to position children’s needs at the forefront of policy decision making.” The programme demonstrated the benefits of investment in the continuation and adaptation of essential services for families and children during the COVID-19 pandemic. Additionally, the countries of the region benefitted from research and evidence gathering for improved policy making and systems strengthening through capacity building of professionals in the areas of health, child protection, education and early childhood development. Key results are policies, systems and services that can withstand future health crises.  “ The EU places a very strong importance on the development of human capital. Now is the time to draw lessons from the tough circumstances of the last few years and ensure that real reform of the social systems is undertaken at the national level throughout the region ,” said Hillen Francke, Head of Sector for Western Balkans Regional Programmes, Directorate General for European Neighbourhood Policy and Enlargement Negotiations.   Families and children in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia and Serbia were supported through: Continuation of health services, including immunization, protection of breastfeeding and home visiting programmes  Support for mental health of children and adolescents through children’s helplines (programme was also implemented in Türkiye) Improved mechanism for reporting and referral of children at risk of violence or in need of additional support Implementation of inclusive and contemporary education approaches that utilize digital technologies in teaching and learning Enhanced early childhood development services, including parental support through parenting application that reached more than 70,000 parents in Albania, Montenegro, Kosovo, North Macedonia and Serbia with quality advice on health, caregiving, nutrition, early learning and child development UNICEF and the European Commission Directorate-General for Neighbourhood and Enlargement Negotiations launched this two-year,  €5.25 million programme (€ 5 million EU contribution), to strengthen national health, education, early childhood development, and child protection systems to ensure continuity in the provision of core services for vulnerable children and their families in the immediate and the longer-term recovery response to COVID-19. The initiative has been implemented in Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia, and Türkiye, and has reached more than 450,000 children and families. More information about the programme and its results can be found here * This designation is without prejudice to positions on status, and is in line with UNSC 1244 and the ICJ Opinion on the Kosovo declaration of independence Blocks image UNICEF image UNICEF
Page
02 October 2017
What we do
https://www.unicef.org/eca/what-we-do
Students, some with disabilities, participate in a UNICEF photography workshop in Azerbaijan Adolescents A mother and her three children in Georgia. The family live in extreme poverty but with UNICEF's support they have managed to stay together. Child poverty A conflict-affected girl takes part in a celebration of the International Children's Day in Svyatohirsk, eastern Ukraine. The event was organized by the Community Protection Centre supported by UNICEF. Child protection Stanislava, 15, lives in a family type placement centre for children with disabilities and attends mainstream school. Children with disabilities A baby and her sister play together in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Early childhood development Children at a refugee centre in Turkey draw on paper at a school Education Kindergarden children practice an emergency response drill at a school in Kyrgyzstan. Emergencies 11-year-old Ajsa is photographed in front of a laptop, with her head in her hands. Ending violence against children A female student attends a networking meeting at a school in Tajikistan. Gender A newborn baby in a hospital in Kyrgyzstan that was entirely rehabilitated by UNICEF. Health A woman loads vaccine into a syringe Immunization Headshot of a Roma girl looking directly at the camera Roma and ethnic minority children
Page
03 October 2017
Work with UNICEF
https://www.unicef.org/eca/take-action/work-with-unicef
A day at the office can mean many things to a UNICEF staff member It could mean talking with a 14-year-old former child soldier about their experiences, or finding funding for vital supplies for children during an emergency, or dedicating each day to efforts to eradicate a killer disease.  It's not all drama, of course.  Much of the organization's work is all but invisible: securing funding for HIV/AIDS or immunization programmes, for example, or chipping away at political inertia, or setting up structures for effective emergency response. And there's the vital task of building alliances with local communities, helping them to ensure the education, protection and well-being of their own children. This selection of UNICEF staff profiles aims to give you an insight into the way the organization works, day by day, to improve the lives of individual children around the world. Interested in a similar job? Please be sure to visit the vacancies section.
Page
04 October 2017
The situation for children in Europe and Central Asia
https://www.unicef.org/eca/situation-children-europe-and-central-asia
2023’s Situation of Children in Europe and Central Asia Newborn Two-thirds of newborn deaths Two-thirds of newborn deaths could be prevented during pregnancy, at birth and during the first week of life. Stepan, 14, with his mother Kristine, 32, live in extreme poverty in the outskirts of city of Vanadzor, Armenia. 35-40 million children  An estimated 35-40 million children are living below the national poverty lines. In Krakow, Poland, 6-year-old receives his immunizations from Nurse 1 million children 1 million children do not receive all recommended vaccines. Children buy fried snacks at school One in three children  One in three children aged 6-9 years is overweight or obese. On 7 March 2020, refugees and migrants gather at the Pazarkule border crossing near Edirne, Turkey, hoping to cross over into Greece. 5 million children Over 5 million children are refugees. Air pollution in Serbia 4 out of 5 children 4 out of 5 children in the region are breathing polluted air.  The region continues to face major equity gaps in the realization of all rights for all children, with particular groups of children more likely than others to miss out on services and opportunities. To address these gaps and reach all children, UNICEF works in the areas of child protection, education, early childhood development, emergencies, health, nutrition, water sanitation and hygiene and social policy. The most disadvantaged children are too often denied the care and protection experienced by their peers. National systems, such as education, health, child protection and social welfare systems could, and should, meet the needs of every child – including the most vulnerable.  Greater investment in services that meet the needs of the most vulnerable children would help maximize the impact of the economic and social progress already being made across the region. Investments that support vulnerable children represent a sound investment in the future, with massive returns in terms of health, well-being and productivity.  children pose for a photo in a classroom in Kindergarten in Romania UNICEF/ Adrian Holerga Situation of children in Europe and Central Asia “ Situation Analysis of Children Rights in Europe and Central Asia: Unequal progress, Children left behind ” spotlights deepening inequalities and urges countries to put in place sound systems to support children at risk of poverty and social exclusion. The report is the first of its kind to bring together existing data and analysis for all countries in the region, while highlighting critical data gaps that need to be filled.
Press release
15 November 2019
30 years of child rights: Historic gains and undeniable achievements, but little progress for the world’s poorest children - UNICEF
https://www.unicef.org/eca/press-releases/30-years-child-rights-historic-gains-and-undeniable-achievements-little-progress
NEW YORK, 18 November 2019 – There have been historic gains overall for the world’s children since the Convention on the Rights of the Child was adopted 30 years ago. However, many of the poorest children are yet to feel the impact, according to The Convention on the Rights of the Child at a Crossroads , a new report released today.  Part of commemorations marking the 30 th anniversary of the CRC, the report looks at the undeniable achievements of the past three decades, proof that where there is political will and determination, children’s lives improve.   “There have been impressive gains for children over the past three decades, as more and more are living longer, better and healthier lives. However, the odds continue to be stacked against the poorest and most vulnerable,” said UNICEF Executive Director Henrietta Fore. “In addition to the persistent challenges of health, nutrition and education, children today have to contend with new threats like climate change, online abuse and cyberbullying. Only with innovation, new technologies, political will and increased resources will we help translate the vision of the Convention on the Rights of the Child into a reality for all children everywhere.” Citing progress in child rights over the past three decades, the report notes that:  The global under-five mortality rate has fallen by about 60 per cent. The proportion of primary-school-aged children not in school decreased from 18 per cent to 8 per cent. The guiding principles of the CRC – non-discrimination; the best interests of the child; the right to life, survival and development; and the right to protection – have influenced numerous constitutions, laws, policies and practices globally. However, the report notes, this progress has not been even.  In low and middle-income countries children from the poorest households are twice as likely to die from preventable causes before their fifth birthday than children from the richest households.   According to recent available data, only half of children from the poorest households in sub-Saharan Africa are vaccinated against measles, compared to 85 per cent of children from the richest households.   Despite a decline in child marriage rates globally, the poorest girls in some countries are more at risk today than they were in 1989. The report also addresses age-old and new threats affecting children around the world:  Poverty, discrimination and marginalization continue to leave millions of the most disadvantaged children at risk: Armed conflicts, rising xenophobia and the global migration and refugee crisis all have a devastating impact on global progress. Children are physically, physiologically and epidemiologically most at risk of the impacts of the climate crisis: Rapid changes in climate are spreading disease, increasing the intensity and frequency of extreme weather events, and creating food and water insecurity. Unless urgent action is taken, the worst for many children is yet to come. Although more children are immunized than ever before, a slowdown in immunisation coverage rates over the past decade is threatening to reverse hard-won gain in children’s health: Measles vaccination coverage has stagnated since 2010, contributing to a resurgence of the deadly disease in many countries. Almost 350,000 cases of measles were recorded in 2018, more than double the total in 2017. The number of out-of-school children has stagnated and learning outcomes for those in school remain poor: Globally, the number children who are not in primary level has remained static since 2007. Many of those who are in school are not learning the basics, let alone the skills they need to thrive in today’s economy. To accelerate progress in advancing child rights, and to address stagnation and backsliding in some of these rights, the report calls for more data and evidence; scaling up proven solutions and interventions; expanding resources; involving young people in co-creating solutions; and applying the principles of equity and gender equality in programming. But it also recognizes that while all these elements are necessary to bring about change, our rapidly changing world also requires new modalities to confront emerging opportunities and challenges, and to truly embed the rights of children as a global cause again.  To find these pathways, over the next 12 months UNICEF plans to undertake a global dialogue on what it will take to make the promise of the convention a reality for every child. The discourse will be inclusive, involving children and young people, parents and caregivers, education and social workers, communities and governments, civil society, academia, the private sector and the media. And it will influence the way the organization does business in the future.  “The Convention stands at a crossroads between its illustrious past and its future potential. It is up to us to recommit, take decisive steps and hold ourselves accountable,” said Fore. “We should take our lead from young people who are speaking up and speaking out for their rights as never before, we must act now – boldly and creatively.” Children from the local underprivileged Roma community playing in the streets of their community in the town of Shumen, Northern Bulgaria. UNICEF supports families at risk through the work of mobile units composed by social workers. UNICEF/ Bulgaria / Giacomo Pirozzi
Press release
03 September 2020
World's richest countries grappling with children’s reading and math skills, mental well-being and obesity
https://www.unicef.org/eca/press-releases/worlds-richest-countries-grappling-childrens-reading-and-math-skills-mental-well
Mental health: In most countries, less than four-fifths of children report being satisfied with their lives. Turkey has the lowest rate of life satisfaction at 53 per cent, followed by Japan and the United Kingdom. Children who have less supportive families and those who are bullied have significantly poorer mental health. Lithuania has the highest rate of adolescent suicide – a leading cause of death among 15-19-year olds in rich countries – followed by New Zealand and Estonia. Physical health: Obesity and overweight rates among children have increased in recent years. Around 1 in 3 children across all countries are either obese or overweight, with rates in Southern Europe also sharply increasing. In more than a quarter of rich countries child mortality is still above 1 per 1,000. Skills: On average 40 per cent of children across all OECD and EU countries do not have basic reading and mathematics skills by age 15. Children in Bulgaria, Romania and Chile are the least proficient in these skills. Estonia, Ireland and Finland the most proficient. In most countries, at least 1 in 5 children lack confidence in their social skills to make new friends. Children in Chile, Japan and Iceland are the least confident in this area.   The report also contains data on clear areas of progress in child well-being. On average, 95 per cent of pre-school aged children are now enrolled in organized learning programmes, and the number of young people aged 15-19 not in education, employment or training has declined in 30 out of 37 countries. Yet, these important gains are at risk of falling back due to the impact of COVID-19. Countries are also ranked based on their policies that support child well-being and other factors including the economy, society and environment. Norway, Iceland and Finland have the highest-ranking policies and context to support child well-being. On average, countries spend less than 3 per cent of their GDP on family and child policies. “In times of crisis and calm, families need supportive governments and workplaces in order to raise the next generation of happy and healthy citizens,” said Fayaz King, Deputy Executive Director at UNICEF. “An investment in children is a direct investment in our future.” Due to the COVID-19 outbreak, in the first half of 2020 most of the countries covered in the report kept schools closed for more than 100 days while strict stay-at-home policies were also implemented. The report notes that loss of family members and friends, anxiety, stay-at-home restrictions, lack of support, school closures, the balancing of work and family life, poor access to healthcare, combined with the economic loss caused by the pandemic are catastrophic for children’s wellbeing, affecting their mental and physical health, and their development. Before the COVID-19 outbreak the average relative child poverty rate across the 41 countries was 20 per cent. With GDP expected to fall over a two-year period in almost all of these countries, unless governments take immediate remedial actions child poverty will rise. “As the economic, educational and social fallout of the pandemic continues to take hold, without concerted effort, there will be a worsening, devastating impact on the well-being of today’s children, their families and the societies they live in,” said Olsson. “But these risks do not have to become the reality, if governments take decisive action now to protect children’s well-being.” On the basis of the report and these recent developments UNICEF is calling for the following steps to protect and improve child wellbeing: Take decisive action to reduce income inequality and poverty and ensure that all children have access to the resources they need. Rapidly address the serious gap in mental health services for children and adolescents. Expand family-friendly policies to improve work-family balance, especially access to high-quality, flexible and affordable early-years childcare. Strengthen efforts to protect children from preventable diseases, including reversing recent falls in measles immunization. Improve COVID-19 policies that support families with children and ensure budgets that support child well-being are protected entirely from austerity measures.   ### Notes to editors: Worlds of Influence builds on previous rankings of child well-being in Report Cards 11 ( 2013 ) and 7 ( 2007 ) to provide a more comprehensive view of well-being that assesses children’s own actions and relationships, the networks and resources available to their caregivers as well as national policies and context. Visit the report microsite and download the full report: http://www.unicef-irc.org/child-well-being-report-card-16 Worlds of Influence UNICEF/UNI360129/
Press release
08 December 2016
UNICEF commemorates 70 years of tireless work for the world’s most vulnerable children
https://www.unicef.org/eca/press-releases/unicef-commemorates-70-years
NEW YORK, 11 December 2016 – On the 70th anniversary of its founding, UNICEF celebrates the immense progress made for the world’s children – and renews the urgent call to reach millions of children whose lives and futures are endangered by conflict, crisis, poverty, inequality and discrimination. “UNICEF was founded after World War II to bring help and hope to all children at risk or in need – no matter which country they lived in or what role that country played in the war.  Our mission is no less urgent and universal today,” said UNICEF Executive Director Anthony Lake. “With so many children around the world in so much need, we are recommitting ourselves to delivering results for every child.” The organization was established by the United Nations General Assembly to help children in post-war Europe, China and the Middle East. Funded entirely through voluntary contributions from governments, civil society, the private sector and concerned citizens, it rapidly expanded its reach and by 1955 was working for children in more than 90 countries. Today, UNICEF is the world’s largest children’s organization, working with partners in 190 countries and territories and through the efforts of 13,000 national and international staff to reach every child. UNICEF’s relentless engagement in the world’s toughest places has helped create remarkable progress for children in recent decades. The number of children dying before their fifth birthdays has been more than halved in the past 25 years. Hundreds of millions of children have been lifted out of poverty. Out-of-school rates among primary-school-aged children have been reduced by more than 40 per cent since 1990. In the 1940s, UNICEF provided emergency nutrition aid, mainly in the form of milk, to children in post-war Europe. In 2015, the organization and its partners treated 2.9 million children for severe acute malnutrition worldwide. In the 1950s, UNICEF led its first immunization campaigns against diseases such as tuberculosis and yaws. In 2015, the organization procured 2.8 billion doses of vaccines, and with its partners helping to protect 45 per cent of children under 5 years old worldwide from a range of deadly diseases. In 1953, UNICEF launched its first water, sanitation and hygiene programmes. Between 1990 and 2015, 2.6 billion people gained access to improved drinking water sources and 2.1 billion gained access to improved sanitation facilities. In 1961, UNICEF expanded its programmatic focus to include children’s education. In 2015, UNICEF and its partners provided 7.5 million children aged 3 to 18 with access to formal or non-formal basic education. In 1989, the United Nations General Assembly adopted the Convention on the Rights of the Child, which specifies that all children should be registered at birth to establish their identity under the law and thus to safeguard  their rights. In 2015, UNICEF supported the registration of more than 9.7 million children’s births in 54 countries. In 1998, UNICEF became a founding member of the Roll Back Malaria Partnership to support malaria treatment and research, and expand prevention measures such as long-lasting insecticide-treated bed nets. In 2015, UNICEF procured 22.3 million bed nets to protect children and families in 30 countries.   Since its founding, UNICEF has responded to thousands of humanitarian emergencies affecting children. In 2015, UNICEF and partners vaccinated 11.3 million children against measles in countries affected by crisis; provided 4 million children in emergency situations with access to formal or non-formal basic education; and provided psychosocial support for 2 million children caught in conflicts and natural disasters. Despite this impressive progress, millions of children are still being left behind because they live in poverty or in hard-to-reach communities, because of their gender, race, religion, ethnic group, or because they have a disability.  Nearly 250 million children are growing up in countries affected by conflict and nearly 50 million children have been uprooted from their homes. “UNICEF’s vision for the next 70 years is a world in which our work is no longer necessary -- a world in which every child is healthy, safe, educated, cared for and protected … and all children can make the most of their potential,” said Lake. “It’s the right thing to do, and the surest path to a better future for us all.”   Notes to Editors:​​​​​​​ UNICEF’s commemoration of its 70th anniversary includes: • The publication of a new book, For Every Child, Hope: UNICEF@70 1946-2016, which captures 70 years of the organization’s work for the most vulnerable children; • The launch of a new global institutional identity under the umbrella concept, UNICEF for every child, that underscores the universality of UNICEF’s mandate and the urgent need to reach the most vulnerable and excluded children; and • The relaunch of UNICEF’s global website, www.unicef.org , In 1946 in Yugoslavia, three boys, who are wearing clothes donated by the Dutch Red Cross, share a desk in a school in the city of Karlovac in the north-western region of Croatia. UNICEF/UNI43103/Unknown
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