July 29, 2010
Responding to a measles outbreak in Zambia
Thousands of children in Zambia have fallen ill in an outbreak of measles that has swept through eastern and southern Africa. In response, the Zambian Department of Health devoted its most recent Integrated National Child Health Week to measles immunization. Regular immunization campaigns had previously managed to curtail the disease. But now the measles virus has resurfaced in the region. Similar campaigns are also planned for Zimbabwe, Malawi and Angola.
July 28, 2010
IKEA Social Initiative helps children in Pakistan
Education and counseling centers funded by the IKEA Social Initiative have benefitted nearly 7,300 Pakistani children since their establishment in 2009. The centers were created to provide a protective environment for the most vulnerable children, where they can receive non-formal education in life skills, as well as recreational and vocational training, psycho-social support and referrals.
July 27, 2010
NBA star Pau Gasol in Ethiopia: "Millions of kids need our help"
Los Angeles Lakers basketball star Pau Gasol visited UNICEF's nutrition, education and child protection programs in Ethiopia. Gasol learned about the Community Based Nutrition Program through which community members' work on measures to prevent and treat malnutrition—a major factor contributing to child mortality in Ethiopia. Gasol said his trip confirmed that millions of kids in the world live under very difficult conditions and need our help.
July 26, 2010
World Cup champion looks in on UNICEF programs in Senegal
International football star Sergio Ramos visited Senegal just days after his team's victory in the FIFA 2010 World Cup. Besides visiting health centers, Mr. Ramos witnessed the work of UNICEF projects that aim to protect vulnerable children from abuse and exploitation. Many of these children live in urban poverty.
July 23, 2010
Mother-Baby Pack brings hope in HIV prevention in Lesotho
A simple color-coded take-home box called the "Mother Baby Pack" is helping mothers with HIV protect their unborn babies. UNICEF developed the pack based on a technique pioneered by a local health center in Lesotho. Expectant mothers with limited access to health centers are given pre-measured doses and instructions for medicines to take before, during and after their babies are born to help them maintain a preventative routine.
