UNICEF NZ (UN Children’s Fund)
Media Release
Tuesday 12 June 2012

Funds Urgently Needed for Growing Children’s Emergency in the Sahel
UNICEF NZ Emergency Appeal www.unicef.org.nz

In the first four months of 2012 UNICEF (UN Children’s Fund) has treated nearly a quarter of a million children under five for severe malnutrition in the Sahel region of West Africa, but more funding is urgently needed with the charity facing a shortfall of USD$145million.

UNICEF estimates that, over the course of this year, at least 1.1 million children will need to be treated and it has responded by increasing the number of specialist treatment centres to cope with the crisis to 5,200 in nine countries.

UNICEF’s emergency response covers the entire territories of Burkina Faso, Gambia, Mali, Mauritania and Niger; the Sahel belt of Chad and the northern regions of Cameroon, Nigeria and Senegal. 18 million people are affected by the drought and food crisis in this region.

Continuing conflict in Mali, which has forced 170,000 people from their homes and into three neighbouring countries, is also creating new demands and problems in ensuring secure aid access. Another 167,000 people have been displaced within Mali itself.

Dennis McKinlay, Executive Director at UNICEF NZ, said, “An already complex food crisis has been compounded by conflict in Mali and other neighbouring countries. Recently I travelled to Chad and I was shocked to see the devastating impact that this emergency is having on children in the region.

“I met very young children who are severely malnourished and only surviving because of the help they are receiving from UNICEF and our partners. Chad is already struggling to cope but is also having to consider the needs of 350,000 refugees within its borders.

“We are frantically increasing resources to meet demand but urgently need more funding. The harsh reality is that we are only at the tip of the iceberg in this emergency. The biggest upsurge in children needing help will be over the coming three months because the region is now in the driest and harshest period of the year.”

UNICEF is aiming for an integrated response that takes into consideration the most pressing needs and also what long-term support can be provided. Children in northern Mali are very clearly at risk in terms of abuse, access to education and recruitment into armed groups. Education support needs to be given across the nine countries affected by the nutrition crisis because children from distressed communities are dropping out of school.

Vaccination campaigns must be conducted to prevent epidemics. So far this year, more than 6 million children have been vaccinated against measles and more than 9 million have received a treated bed net to reduce the risk of malaria. Measures need to be put in place before the rains to prevent outbreaks of cholera. The disease is endemic in many areas affected by the crisis.

UNICEF urgently needs more funds for children and women suffering from extreme hardship in the region. For the rest of 2012 UNICEF needs US$238 million for the Sahel. So far emergency appeals have secured U$93 million for UNICEF’s emergency response, leaving a shortfall of USD$145m.

Mr McKinlay added, “There is no doubt the money generously given by New Zealanders so far has helped UNICEF immensely to be prepared and save children’s lives. I saw the impact of Kiwi dollars in Chad, as we treated scores of dangerously malnourished children in health clinics across the country.

“But UNICEF’s work extends right across the Sahel region. So far we have received money primarily to help those children who are malnourished. But the lack of funds for other vital work prevents us from doing all that we can for children and their parents in what is their time of greatest need,” he said.

UNICEF NZ relies solely on voluntary donations from Kiwis to save and transform children’s lives. Donations small and large make a difference - providing children with a week’s supply of emergency food, like Plumpy’Nut, costs only NZ$15.

To donate go to www.uniceforg.nz

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About UNICEF
UNICEF is on the ground in over 190 countries and territories to help children survive and thrive, from early childhood through adolescence.

The world’s largest provider of vaccines for developing countries, UNICEF supports child health and nutrition, good water and sanitation, quality basic education for all boys and girls, and the protection of children from violence, exploitation, and AIDS.

UNICEF is funded entirely by the voluntary contributions of individuals, businesses, foundations and governments.

Every $1 donated to us is worth at least $10 in the field thanks to the way we work in partnership with governments, local NGOs and other partners.

www.unicef.org.nz

ENDS

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