BENGHAZI, Libya, 20 May 2011 – Etaj, 11, and Hanni, 12, (not their real names), are taking their drawing very seriously amid the surrounding clatter of chairs and chatter of other children. Report by Rebecca Fordham For them, creating art at this child-friendly space is an opportunity to creatively express what they are feeling and … Continued

 The political crisis in Côte d’Ivoire has had a tremendous effect on the country’s adolescents and children. Since the political crisis began last November, more than 300,000 Ivorians have fled their homes. Field report by Edward Bally VIDEO: UNICEF correspondent Anja Baron reports on UNICEF-supported counselling for returning school children during the political crisis in … Continued

UNICEF reports on a mass immunization campaign against polio in Democratic Republic of the Congo. Severine Nabintu, age 35, brought her six-month old child to the launch two weeks ago of a national immunization campaign against polio in South Kivu province in DR Congo. “I’ve brought my child to vaccinate him and protect him from … Continued

At first glance, it is difficult to imagine that Fatmah, 15, a native of Niger, is already a mother of two, though early marriages and families are not uncommon among Nigeriens. Report by Natasha Scripture Holding her youngest child, 10-month-old Assi, against her small frame, she looked anxious when she recalled the constant shelling that … Continued

UNICEF provides vital assistance to thousands of displaced people in Côte d’Ivoire. More than half a million people were forced to flee their homes during post-election violence in Côte d’Ivoire, which began late last year. Houses burned to the ground and villages were destroyed. Report by Edward Bally. UNICEF Video: UNICEF’s Edward Bally reports on … Continued

UNICEF’s Edward Bally reports on the return home of displaced Ivorian families who were forced to flee Côte d’Ivoire due to post- election violence. Reine Kpea Zehe, her husband and sister-in-law pack two heavy bags filled with cooking pans and clothes on to a small barge on the Liberian side of River Nuon, a 50-metre … Continued

This week schools have slowly started to re-open in Côte d’Ivoire’s largest city, Abidjan, and across the country. But many challenges remain. Report by Louis Vigneault  from ABIDJAN, Côte d’Ivoire, 29 April 2011. “Schools are slowly re-opening in the south, but many children and teachers are still absent where insecurity is persistent,” said UNICEF Education … Continued

For every SUNNAN solar cell lamp IKEA customers buy, one is donated from IKEA Foundation to UNICEF to give to children who cannot draw, write or read after sunset. Children in developing countries – especially girls – often struggle to keep up at school because their only opportunity to do homework is at night, after … Continued

Artists, youths, traditional and religious leaders, health personnel, volunteers and aid workers all joined the authorities and UNICEF to kick-off the measles vaccination campaign at an event on ‘Peace Plaza’ in the centre of the western city of Duékoué. After four and a half months of conflict, Côte d’Ivoire is finally getting back on its … Continued

DEHIBAT, Tunisia, 27 April 2011 – One month ago, Marwa, 11, was a fifth grade student at Nafousa school in western Libya, But when fighting came closer to her home in Nalut, schools closed and she was forced to stay home. Recent threats of shelling of her town left Marwa and her family with no … Continued

It was the screams that made Mr Mohamed jump. Shrieks and cries had become frighteningly familiar for those living in the western Libyan city of Misrata, but this was a singular scream. This was Mr Mohamed’s son. Field report from UNICEF Communication Specialist James Elder, in Benghazi. He ran to the roof where nine-year-old Mufteh … Continued

After weeks of virtual shutdown, Côte d’Ivoire’s economic capital Abidjan is slowly recovering and health centers are progressively reopening. The population stayed in their home for more than two weeks and due to shortage of staff, drugs and supplies, most health facilities in the city had to close. UNICEF has started to deliver basic kits … Continued