Comhghairdeas to the brilliant people of Galway! On Saturday, September 19th, 13 very motivated volunteers from Galway raised funds and awareness on Shop Street for the situation in Lebanon, after the terrible explosions that have ripped through Beirut on August 4th, 2020. They woke up early and set up a stand in Shop Street where … Continued
“I feel different after the explosion. I’m always scared, and I still dream about the feeling of the blast. It keeps me awake at night.” says Hanan, 8 years old. UNICEF | Lebanon | Choufany The consequences of the explosions that broke out at the Port of Beirut, on the 4th of August 2020, have … Continued
Report Card author reflects on findings for Irish children By Yekaterina Chzhen, Trinity College Dublin The latest UNICEF report on childhood in rich countries – Worlds of Influence – puts Ireland in 26th place out of 38 OECD/EU countries for adolescent mental well-being. Yet thanks to better scores on physical health (17th), and academic and social skills (6th), … Continued
By Cathy Kelly, Author & UNICEF Ireland Ambassador The news reports speed by as I watch: small children, their little faces injured from the flying glass. Tiny heads bandaged, and bulging dressings around ears, because fragile eardrums have been agonisingly blown out. Whatever the injury, their eyes all look the same. Fearful, terrified, staring into … Continued
By Donncha O’Callaghan, UNICEF Ireland Ambassador When I heard the dreadful news about the horrific explosions in Beirut, my heart went out to the children and families of Lebanon. I am sure yours did too because Ireland and Lebanon have a very special relationship. Not only do we have peacekeeping troops stationed there, but, over … Continued
The massive explosion that rocked the port of Beirut on August 4th, is the latest disaster to strike the country. A dire economic crisis, deepened by COVID-19, has already pushed families to the edge, with many unable to afford food, hygiene, water and fuel. Now the consequences of the Beirut explosion could push this fragile … Continued
Grainne Moloney UNICEF Regional Nutrition Specialist in Eastern and Southern Africa The COVID-19 pandemic has spread across the world. Children and adolescents are less directly affected by the virus, but they are the most vulnerable when critical food supplies and health services become overwhelmed and income levels drop. In Eastern and Southern Africa, countries … Continued
With the ongoing conflicts and disasters affecting millions of children and young people around the world, COVID 19 is a global socio-economic earthquake in the region’s conflict zones. It has arrived at a time of unprecedented global need, with a record 168 million people already requiring humanitarian assistance at the beginning of the year. Syria … Continued
In war-torn countries like Yemen and Syria, children are in terrible danger from COVID-19. They risk becoming the hidden victims of the virus because whilst they won’t die of it they will die because of it. 6,000 children could die every day as a direct consequence of the pandemic, that’s one child every 15 seconds, if we … Continued
The Rohingya population in Bangladesh is among the world’s most vulnerable communities. Currently, 400,000 children and their families live in the world’s largest refugee camp, Cox’s Bazar. The heavily congested camp is in one of the poorest, most disaster-prone areas of Bangladesh and the Rohingya community are at high risk from a deadly COVID-19 outbreak. On … Continued
This World Immunisation Week (April 24), it is more important than ever to think about vaccinating your child. Outbreaks of dangerous, preventable diseases are inevitable when pockets of children are left unprotected. The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak is confronting families around the world. Suddenly, parents are facing an urgent challenge: how to protect themselves and … Continued
By Donncha O’Callaghan, UNICEF Ireland Ambassador Nearly two years ago a deadly Ebola outbreak hit the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). So far, this epidemic has claimed over 2,000 lives, and infected 975 children. Last Sunday, April 12th, an official announcement was expected to declare the terrifying outbreak finally over. The country had gone over 6 weeks without a case, and amid the COVID-19 pandemic, this would have been a moment for us all to truly celebrate. But sadly, over the weekend, devastating news came through of the death of a 26-year old man … Continued