From Japan with love

Between 11 and 15 November, The Japanese Committee, Vaccines for the World’s Children visited Vanuatu to monitor their support to the expanded routine immunisation programme (EPI). As a key EPI partner, UNICEF Pacific joined the Committee. This is what we learned.

Note : To view Photo captions enlarge Photo Story and click show info.

Five Questions with Karen Allen, UNICEF Pacific Representative

The Kiribati Family Health Association youth group with Karen Allen 
UNICEF Pacific Representative and UNICEF Colleague 
© UNICEF Pacific/2013/Teannaki

Running for WASH in Solomon Islands

UNICEF Pacific/2013/Atenia Tahu
Note : To view Photo captions enlarge Photo Story and click show info.

In 2014, Glasgow, Scotland will host the XX Commonwealth Games with UNICEF as the charity partner. To kick off the lead-up to the Games, the Queen’s Baton Relay is taking place – the baton travels to all of the Commonwealth countries around the globe. As the baton travels through each country, it is a great opportunity to talk about the lives and aspirations of children and youth around the world. The baton has arrived in the Pacific and last week visited the Solomon Islands. UNICEF staff took part in the Baton Relay through Honiara and here Communications for Development Officer Atenia Tahu shares his experience of the relay.

Voices Against Violence

With 1 in 3 women and girls experiencing abuse in their lifetime, violence against women and girls is the most wide-spread human rights violation. Gender-based violence starts early, and girls and young women are particularly vulnerable. Over 50 percent of sexual assaults are committed against girls under 16 years.  Globally, one in three girls are married before the age of 18, and one in nine before they turn 15.

Read November's youth feature in Mailife Magazine where two girl leaders, Makelesi (14) and Shaifa (14) talk about putting girls into leadership positions to stop the cycle of poverty and violence. They want to see being a girl as strength, not a disadvantage. 

This article was written by UNICEF Youth Mediactivists Makelesi and Shaifa and the photos are from the Girl Guides of Fiji Photo Exhibition for the International Day of the Girl.

Aids-free generation long goal for Asia-Pacific

Bangkok Post
19 Nov 2013
Online news: Local News

People are encouraged to use condoms to ensure safe sex and reduce the risk of HIV infections. (Bangkok Post file photo)

Much more effort will be needed by countries in Asia and the Pacific if they seriously aim to achieve an Aids-free generation in the region, according to the United Nation's Children's Fund.

Deadliest Childhood Disease: Pneumonia

World Pneumonia Day 2013

Pneumonia is the single largest killer of children under 5, as well as the leading infectious cause of childhood mortality. More than 3,000 children under 5 died from pneumonia every day in 2012. The disease accounts for 17 per cent of all under-five deaths, claiming the lives of 1.1 million children under 5 in 2012 – the bulk of whom are less than 2 years old.

source: worldpneumoniaday.org

UN Joint Presence (UNJP) Office in Kiribati observes the UN DAY on 24 October, 2013

by Nuzhat Shahzadi,Chief of UNICEF Field Office & the UN Joint Presence, Kiribati

It was not just any day. 24 October witnessed a very different atmosphere at the United Nations Joint Presence office in the Pacific country of Kiribati. Charged with excitement, festivity, decorations, balloons and the sound of footsteps of children, UN agencies and partners who are friends of the children and the UN, welcomed UN Day.

 

United Nations Joint Presence office in Kiribati has a new look!

The Story of Maria of Temwaiku Village, Kiribati

by Nuzhat Shahzadi, Chief of UNICEF Field Office & UN Joint Presence, Kiribati

The ocean is too close  

Maria* is 13 and lives in Temwaiku village, Tarawa Island, in the Pacific country of Kiribati. She attends the Junior Secondary School and likes learning new things. The afternoons are hot and as the breeze from the ocean breaks the stillness in the air she usually comes out of the tiny Buia which she shares with her family. She walks around on the road with her friend Maki*- they giggle and share stories of the day in school, the happenings in the village…There are no playgrounds in Temwaiku. In most places the island is too narrow and all available land is needed for houses, schools, churches, cemetery, stores, clinics, etc.