GENEVA / HUMANITARIAN ACTION FOR CHILDREN REPORT

UNICEF released the Humanitarian Action for Children Report (HAC) 2011 today requesting $1.4 billion in its annual appeal to donors to assist children and women caught in the throes of crises. UNTV

• Categories: News & Features / News Stories / Unifeed
• Video Length: 00:01:27
• Production Date: 7 March 2011
• Asset Language: Original
• Subject Topical: HUMANITARIAN RELIEF; DISASTER PREVENTION; DISASTER PREPAREDNESS; DISASTER RELIEF; HUMANITARIAN ASSISTANCE
• MAMS Id: U110307e

Description

STORY: GENEVA / HUMANITARIAN ACTION FOR CHILDREN REPORT
TRT: 1:27
SOURCE: UNTV
RESTRICTIONS: NONE
LANGUAGES: ENGLISH / NATS

DATELINE: 7 MARCH 2011, GENEVA, SWITZERLAND / RECENT

Shotlist

RECENT - GENEVA, SWITZERLAND

1. Wide shot, exterior UN Geneva headquarters

7 MARCH 2011, GENEVA, SWITZERLAND

2. Med shot, journalists at press conference
3. SOUNDBITE (English) Hilde Johnson, Deputy Executive Director, UNICEF:
“Today UNICEF launches Humanitarian Action for Children 2011 and with it 1.4 billion dollar appeal to meet the needs of children and families in crisis conditions. There is very good reason why this years appeal is 20 per cent higher than last years. 2010 showed the most dramatic increase in extreme humanitarian emergencies with Haiti and Pakistan. Unfortunately the number and scale of emergencies is likely to continue this year. We have already got a first taste with the unfolding events in Libya affecting Tunisia and Egypt.”
4. Cutaway, journalist
5. SOUNDBITE (English) Hilde Johnson, Deputy Executive Director, UNICEF:
“2010 was tough and we have no reason to expect that 2011 will be easier. A new food crisis is unfolding. Climate related hazards are increasing and unplanned urbanization and environmental degradation will compound loss of lives. Conflict and insecurity continue to kill and maim and destroy livelihoods. Recurring civil war, which exacts an especially heavy toll on children and women has become the dominant form of armed conflict. And protracted crises in Somalia, DRC, Darfur and the Central African Republic linger on for years-at an enormous human cost.”
6. Cutaway, journalist

Storyline

The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) today requested $1.4 billion in its annual appeal to assist children and women caught in crises, with the bulk of that needed for Pakistan and Haiti.

The agency’s Humanitarian Action for Children Report (HAC) 2011 highlights projected needs in 32 countries and territories and 6 regions, and emphasizes the increasing importance of strengthening the resilience of communities. This year’s requirements have increased 21 per cent over those for 2010.

UNICEF’s Deputy Executive Director Hilde Johnson said in a press conference in Geneva that “the number and scale of emergencies is likely to continue this year,” adding that “we have already got a first taste with the unfolding events in Libya affecting Tunisia and Egypt.”

According to the report, UNICEF is requesting $296 million for Pakistan and $157 million for Haiti. The financial needs for emergencies in the Asia-Pacific region have significantly increased and represent the region with the highest funding request – $373 million.

Of the funding for Asia, 80 per cent is needed for assistance to Pakistani children and women affected by flooding and conflict.

Hilde added “2010 was tough and we have no reason to expect that 2011 will be easier.”

UNICEF reported that humanitarian crises such as drought famine and conflict have dire consequences for children, including recruitment into armed forces, sexual violence, and the loss of basic services such as water, health and education.