XUNICEF News and Views

We can welcome that this unethical vaccine trial in Guinea-Bissau was paused thanks to the intervention of WHO and NGO groups like Stand up for Science.  But the threat of more such maneuvers by the current department of Health and Human Services may reappear elsewhere.  Tom  Author: Melody Schreiber Publication: The Guardian Date: 11 March 2026 Link: Click here for the article Summary: A suspended hepatitis B vaccine trial in Guinea-Bissau is raising fears among experts that it represents a model for future US-funded research under Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr. The trial, led by Danish researchers from the Bandim Health Project, would have vaccinated only half of newborns at birth despite an 18% adult prevalence rate of hepatitis B — a disease with potentially fatal consequences.  Stand Up for Science, a US nonprofit, sent an investigator to Guinea-Bissau and shared findings with Congress warning of deep ethical concerns, includin...

Village or a theater? We are often reminded that we live in a global village and we are global citizens. People usually express this sentiment especially while referring to the United Nations and the global connectivity people enjoy through development works, communications, ease of international travel, trade and economy. The reality is that we do not live in a global village, we live in a global theater and we are actors in a global theater, not global citizens. In a village there are traditional rules, customs and systems with moral values, coexisting with civil legal systems which are applicable to all. In a village there is equal application of rule of law; there is respect for the village elders. Contrary to this, in a theater everyone acts at the direction of the Directors and Producers. In a theater there are rules too for everyone but the Directors and Producers and a select few who occupy the top tier of the theater's ecosystem are exempted from the rule. The rules are be...

“UNICEF is devastated and outraged that our colleague Karine Buisset was killed in a reported drone strike on a building housing aid workers in Goma, Democratic Republic of Congo. “Karine was a dedicated humanitarian who worked tirelessly to support children and families affected by conflict and crisis. Our thoughts are with her family, friends, and colleagues during this extremely difficult time. “UNICEF is continuing to gather more details about this tragic event. This is a painful reminder that courageous humanitarian workers must always be protected.” French President Emmanuel Macron confirmed Buisset's death on social media, urging respect for humanitarian law and for workers "committed to saving lives." The attack, which occurred before dawn on Wednesday in the Himbi neighbourhood, also claimed two other lives. The M23 rebel group, which has occupied Goma since January 2025, blamed the Congolese government for the strike. No party has claimed responsibility. Drone...

With the end of March approaching and with that, the departure of some of our current editorial team at the xUnicef blog, I would like to take this opportunity to say thank you for the extraordinary efforts and dedication of this group.

“The continuous escalation of hostilities in Lebanon and the devastating toll it is taking on children are gravely concerning.

Dear Friends, It is with profound sadness I hear from Mr Kul Gautam that Steve Umemoto passed away on 2 March after a long hospitalization. He served in India as Dy Director Programs in 90s during Haxton's period. He was a great admirer of UPGI and regularly attended Retirees retreat since 2012 till Hyderabad reunion in 2019. Last I contacted him for his article for the Compendium of UNICEF@75 years. He is survived by his wife Diane and two daughters.   Anyone wishing to send condolence to the following e mail: dumemoto@yahoo.com The attached photo is from our memorable visit of Hyderabad reunion 2019. Thanks & Regards S. Ramadass Secretary UPGI

With a new team of editors being formed, we would like to streamline how members can submit their own articles for posting. It is easier than you think. Here is what you need to do.

Western media today are riveted by the immediate shockwaves of the US-Israeli war against Iran — the overnight surge of Brent crude past $100 a barrel, the tumbling of stock markets from Tokyo to London to New York, and the inconclusive scramble among G7 finance ministers to agree on a release of strategic oil reserves. These are real and serious disruptions. But these market tremors mask a more slow-moving crisis unfolding in the shadow of the Strait of Hormuz.

 

Dear friends, Further to my earlier message on the passing of our dear colleague Steve Umemoto, I attach herewith a tribute to him. Also attached is a picture in front of the Potala Palace in Lhasa from our memorable visit there in April 2015. Missing Steve deeply and thinking of his dear wife Diane and his lovely daughters Kim and Nicole and their families at this hour of grief. Kul

Accelerating Efforts to End Child Marriage Rachel Vogelstein and Jennifer Klein  Columbia SIPA Institute of Global Politics Women's Initiative March 2026 Click here for the report  Summary: A new report from Columbia University's SIPA Institute of Global Politics finds that 640 million women alive today were married as children, with approximately 12 million girls still married before age 18 each year.  South Asia holds the largest share of child brides — nearly 300 million — with India alone accounting for one-third of the global total. Sub-Saharan Africa's share has grown from 15 to 35 percent over 25 years, driven by population growth outpacing progress.  The report includes analysis by the Center for Global Development estimating that inaction on child marriage will cost up to $175 billion per year in lost productivity and increased health risks — nearly $2.5 trillion by 2040.  The authors recommend three priority interventions: investing in girls' educatio...

NO SMILE – NO TEETH  

Steve and Diane at At Kuang si waterfall, Luang Prabang, Laos Dear colleagues, In case you were not aware, I am sharing the news of the passing of our dear friend, Steve Umemoto, with profound sadness. I plan to write a brief obituary on Steve's remarkable life and contributions to share with our XUNICEF network.

 

Linked-in post  On the occasion of International Women's Day, 8th March, what do I think, as an Iranian feminist, activist, academic & practitioner/mother/spouse/relative/friend/colleague…beyond this year's slogan of "Rights, Justice, Action for ALL Women & Girls"? I think of over 40 million Iranian girls & women under US & Israeli bombardment - being killed, injured or alive to take care of others around them, surviving one hour to another, bearing witness - after years & decades of incredible resistance against the Regime's discriminatory & oppressive policies & actions. I think of our female political prisoners - the most courageous amongst us - hearing bombs fall around them & possibly on their loved ones outside. I think of the thousands of girls & women who protested in the early days of January & were targeted & killed by the Regime. I think of Zan, Zendegi, Azadi - Woman, Life, Freedom. I think of the girls...

 

If birds can live in harmony, why can humans not? Sree @dappertv001

Rebeca Grynspan Costa Rica Macky Sall Senegal Raphael Gross, Argentina Michel Bachelet, Chileǰ

Being successful and happy March 20 th has been designated as the International Happiness Day since 2012.

See attached first 4 pages about some 2026 swim locations and 6 pages from related posts at substack by Brother George.

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Rescue workers and residents search through the rubble after strike on a girls' elementary school in Iran. Overall Casualty figures from the US-Israeli assault on Iran and the Iranian response remain deeply uncertain and are rising by the hour.  Preliminary figures are 555 dead in Iran, at least 10 in Israel, five civilians killed in Gulf states. In addition, four US soldiers were killed in Kuwait.  Iran Iran's Health Ministry now reports approximately 180 children killed in the strike on Shajarah Tayyebeh girls' elementary school in Minab, where girls aged seven to twelve were in class when the missile hit. A second school in Tehran's Narmak district was also struck, killing two more students. Overall deaths across Iran have reached at least 555, with casualty figures from two   hospital strikes in Tehran still unconfirmed as rescue operations continue. Israel In Israel, an Iranian ballistic missile struck residential buildings and a synagogue shelter in Beit Sh...