ZA’ATARI, Jordan, 17 August – The number of Syrian refugees crossing to Jordan is rising. To date, more than 7,000 people live in the tented Za’atari camp in Mafraq, north of Jordan. They are battered with frequent sand storms, hot weather and lack of natural shade. Report by Hala Abu Khatwa. UNICEF correspondent Hala Abu … Continued

AMMAN, Jordan, 15 August 2012 – Umm Ghassan sat inside her tent in Za’atari camp, holding her two-year-old grandchild.  She was waiting for the child’s siblings and mother, who had gone to fetch the water necessary to meet the family’s drinking and washing needs. Report by Hala Abu Khatwa Umm Ghassan wants to return to … Continued

As Syrians pour into Jordan, work is underway not only to provide essential safe water and sanitation, but to make sure the water lasts.  Jordan is the fourth most water scarce country in the world and the influx of people is putting a strain on an already limited water supply. Report by Wendy Bruere, RAMTHA, … Continued

Schools have closed and health centers have shut down or become too dangerous for families to reach. The violence has also forced tens of thousands of Syrian children to flee their homes and seek shelter in neighboring countries. Well over 120 000 people have fled to neighbouring countries, Jordan, Turkey, Iraq and Lebanon. UNICEF provides … Continued

DAMASCUS, Syria, 27 July 2012 – These have been difficult times for everyone in Damascus. Thousands of people have had to leave their homes to seek refuge in safer areas, often in schools and mosques. Report by Razan Rashidi By the weekend, dozens of schools in and around Damascus were full of displaced families. Volunteers … Continued

One year ago, on 20 July 2011, the United Nations declared famine in two regions of southern Somalia, the flashpoint in a humanitarian crisis gripping the Horn of Africa. After an outpouring of international support, the famine ended in February 2012, and countless lives across the region were saved. But 8 million people in Somalia, … Continued

SANA’A, Yemen, 10 July 2012 – “Wouldn’t you instinctively want to invest in hope more than horror?” These were the words of UNICEF Executive Director Anthony Lake during his three-day visit to Yemen this week. Report by Alison Parker. 7-9 July 2012: UNICEF correspondent Chris Niles reports on the visit of UNICEF Executive Director Anthony … Continued

AL MAFRAQ, Jordan, 9 July 2012 – Funnels of dust race like miniature tornadoes at this former airfield near the town of Al Mafraq, in Jordan’s north.Report by David Youngmeyer Here, staff members of the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) and UNICEF cluster on a weather-beaten road, discussing in urgent tones how to make this barren … Continued

According to UNICEF’s estimates, 127,000 children will be at risk of severe acute malnutrition, a deadly condition, in Chad this year, part of the broader food and nutrition crisis afflicting the Sahel region of Africa. Report by Héloïse Vilain. “Severe acute malnutrition is directly related to mortality. This means that if we don’t care, these … Continued

NEW YORK, USA, 11 June 2012 – As conditions in the Sahel region of Africa continue to worsen, international recording artist and UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador Angélique Kidjo has added her voice to the movement to save the lives of more than 1 million children under age 5 who are at risk of deadly severe acute … Continued

Kasur District, Punjab Province, Pakistan – May, 2012: Life has been a constant struggle for Allahditta, 36, the proud father of five children: four girls and a boy. Allahditta was one of eight children in a family that lived in poverty. As a child, Allahditta’s family could afford to send him to school for only … Continued

MAFRAQ/AMMAN, Jordan, 4 June 2012 – On their way to school in Homs last year, 9-year-old twins Seema* and Nour* saw dead bodies in the street. “They came home very upset,” said their father, Amjad*. “Now they are afraid of loud noises.” Report by Wendy Bruere The two girls stopped going to school after that. … Continued