XUNICEF News and Views

Bryant Park, October, hard against the granite fence of New York Library, exotic and home foods in autumn trade, The sun insistent by its weakness as your servant here, stalking the footlights of the city play perpetually, at least Until the work, the vision of the fall give in. Winter crouches in wait mode, the heart prepared for its white sleep, her snow shroud terminal you see before it strikes too late. So meet me here, midday Defy the crowds and seasons passing by Before the shadows do their work, and sunlight runs to hide. Like Time Square balladeers, pick- pocketeers, we’ll snatch a cent a scented kiss from sentences away Taunting the hard and heavy march of day. ***** Click here for  more poems by Richard Morgan

A summer visit to almost any house in Albania is a memorable event. The shade temperature may be approaching 40ºC but on entering the front gate one immediately passes under a canopy of vines and the temperature seems to drop sharply. The brilliant and harsh sunshine is replaced with a soft and dappled light which makes one want to say, "Ah, at last - out of the sun !"

Letter shared by Sharif Alam

Article shared by Niloufar Pourzand In these increasingly challenging times, we stand firm on our longstanding commitment to transparency. It is essential that we share with you a critical issue impacting our humanitarian mission. Recently, 12 UNRWA employees were alleged to have been involved in the attacks on Israel on 7 October 2023. UNRWA holds a zero-tolerance policy towards such actions. In response, the Agency has terminated the contracts of those involved and has arranged for a transparent independent investigation led by the UN’s Office of Internal Oversight Services (OIOS), the highest investigative authority in the UN system Following these allegations - and despite our swift response - several donor countries have temporarily suspended their funding to UNRWA. This comes at a time when critical humanitarian needs across the Gaza Strip are at their highest. Most people in Gaza depend on UNRWA for survival. Over the past 115 days, UNRWA has provided shelter, food assistance,

The United Nations is taking swift action following the extremely serious allegations against several UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) staff members. An investigation by the UN’s Office of Internal Oversight Services (OIOS) was immediately activated. Of the 12 people implicated, nine were immediately identified and terminated by the Commissioner-General of UNRWA, Philippe Lazzarini; one is confirmed dead, and the identity of the two others is being clarified. Any UN employee involved in acts of terror will be held accountable, including through criminal prosecution. The Secretariat is ready to cooperate with a competent authority able to prosecute the individuals in line with the Secretariat’s normal procedures for such cooperation. UNRWA had also previously announced a full, independent review of the organization on 17 January. Meanwhile, 2 million civilians in Gaza depend on critical aid from UNRWA for daily survival but UNRWA’s current funding will not allow it to meet all r

I would like to share information regarding the death of Marie-Suzanne Prosper de Brouwer, in Ottawa, Canada on the 5th of January 2024. She retired from UNICEF after serving as the Representative in Mozambique and Swaziland. I have added a picture.   Thanks  Veronica Luard

Here are the articles authored by our members and received through the past week. We always encourage you to browse through all posted articles and feel encouraged by the interest that has been generated among our readers. This is evidenced by the increasing number of comments we are continuing to receive on some of the articles posted here. We hope to see it increase progressively through the year. Sharif Alam writes on  Jim Grant's first visit to Bangladesh - 1980  which would be of interest to many of us here who had known and worked with Sharif in Bangladesh at that time. Jonathan Crick's "heartbreaking story of loss and grief from Gaza that  At least 17,000 children are unaccompanied or separated from their families  strikes a yet another note of alarm Niloufar Pourzand shares the link to the original article on Al Jazeera carrying an update in naming  11,500 of the Children known to have been killed in Gaza up to 2 February Dawn Clancey shares the link to the origina

Following reports that senior figures of the right-wing party 'AfD' held discussions on deporting citizens of foreign origins, citizens in all major cities and many small towns across Germany took part in public demonstrations and protests. Today in the city of Aachen we found ourselves near a group that called itself 'Omas gegen Rechts', which in the context translates into 'grandmothers against far-right extremism'. 

In what increasingly looks like a coordinated campaign to defund UNRWA, nine more Western countries - Canada, Finland, UK, Italy, Germany, Scotland, Netherlands, Switzerland, and Australia have announced that they are joining the US in 'temporarily pausing' their funding of UNRWA in response to Israeli claims that the some of the agency's personnel were involved in the Hamas attacks on 7 October and that one staff member may have kept an Israeli hostage prisoner in her apartment.   UNRWA has fired several employees and has said that it is investigating the cases.  This raises important questions about how the firings took place before an investigation and on what evidence they were based.  If the staff members did in fact take an active part in the attack or in holding hostages, there will be no question about their termination.   Still, UNRWA needs to prove that they followed a fair and open process, if the staff members bring their cases to the UN Tribunal.  Even if the

Article shared by Tom McDermott

The U.S. has paused funding to the UN relief agency for Palestinians (UNRWA) over Israeli allegations that some UNRWA staff were involved in recent Hamas attacks against Israel. The allegations include that some teachers at UNRWA schools openly celebrated the attacks and that an Israeli hostage said she was held captive in the home of a UNRWA employee. 

Shared by Tom McDermott The International Court of Justice issued its interim ruling today on the case brought against Israel by South Africa under the Genocide Convention. Here is the summary article by Al Jazeera. The full text of the Court's decisions are available on the links below.  Tom * In a historic ruling, the ICJ said it had jurisdiction to rule in the case filed by South Africa accusing Israel of committing genocide in Gaza. *The interim ruling issued by the court ordered six provisional measures, including for Israel to take all measures to prevent genocidal acts, prevent and punish the direct and public incitement to genocide, and take immediate and effective steps to ensure the provision of humanitarian assistance to civilians in Gaza. *The ICJ also ordered Israel to preserve evidence of genocide and to submit a report to the court within a month regarding its compliance with the order. *ICJ has ordered Israel to take steps to prevent acts of genocide in Gaza but

The month of February (or early March) gives rise to many Carnivals around the world celebrating the days prior to Lent and leading up to Easter. I’ve recently resurrected some slides that I’d forgotten about, from Carnivals in three different cities that I was lucky to witness: New Orleans, Trinidad, and Venice. I did not travel specifically to see these events but for some reason found myself there at the right time and was able to capture photos of some of the traditional festivities associated with each venue. (Photos from old slides don’t produce the best quality, but it was nice to look back...).

For the original article in Portugese language, click here Andréia Peres * has been working as a consultant in UNICEF Brazil since 2002. Here she also talks about Jim Grant, Agop Kayayan and other colleagues Between 1980 and 1990, Jim Grant (1922-1995), the legendary executive director of the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), is estimated to have saved the lives of 25 million children. Thanks to his mobilization, there was a large investment of resources for immunization and, in 10 years, global vaccination rates for the six main diseases that killed the most children at that time went from 20% to 80%. The commitment was so great that for the first time in the history of humanity, a war stopped so that children could be vaccinated.

  Click here to read the original article by the BBC, and related coverage. A summary

Tuesday 30 January sees the launch of a campaign to Stop the Inhumanity at Europe’s Borders at 11 am GMT and 12 pm CET, but a bit earlier in the day in the US. Would you be able to forward the invitation to colleagues? Anybody who might be in or near London would be extremely welcome to attend in person, and those elsewhere can join online through the Eventbrite link.

1. Daily news coverage:  From the beginning of January the editors have stopped posting daily news articles.  In past years we posted such stories after reviewing the news summaries on Google News of stories on topics such as UNICEF, the UN, children in crisis, and so on.  Why did we stop? Posting each day was a strain on our very meager team of editors.  Moreover, we know that our readers themselves follow news topics like these and our posting may simply duplicate what our readers have already read elsewhere. But the news does not stop:   No, we have not dropped the 'News' from 'News & Views'.  Instead, we count on you, our readers, to share articles you feel others may enjoy reading.  

Article shared by Robert Cohen

I goofed. I missed an opportunity. In 2011, UNICEF Albania was invited by Statkraft/Devoll Hydropower to participate in an environmental and social impact assessment of a planned hydro-power development. There would be no costs to UNICEF. The Terms of Reference read well, without the flowery embellishments that accompany every UN report. They were open to including every perspective related to children on the possible impacts of the construction and operation of the dams.

Article shared by Habib Hammam Peter Hawkins, UNHC, UNICEF Yemen’s Houthi authorities have ordered US and British staff of the UN and Sana’a-based humanitarian organisations to leave the country within a month.

Populism offers the heartless head; ideology offers the headless heart – Paul Collier Capitalists have special democratic rights? In capitalism there is neither a head nor a heart. It is just a winning it all strategy that has swept across the globe. Capitalism is here to stay and the challenge for most people is how to navigate this state for survival. Capitalist economy has reduced human values to tradable goods irrespective of political ideology, if there was any. Even in the most centralised system of governance the consumer market has taken the center stage. Neither the government nor the people are able to protect citizens from the power of the market - the heartbeat of capitalism which continues to create billionaires at the cost of ordinary citizens’ survival. Some of these billionaires are richer than several low-income countries and their political influence is more potent than real politicians and have the capacity to undermine any and all rules of engagements. Is it the dem

Having spent around 18 months working as a consultant for WHO, part of which was spent on the Indian sub-continent, I was invited to apply for the post of UNICEF Chief of WES (Water and Environmental Sanitation as it was then titled), in Dhaka, Bangladesh where the Representative was Dr Michael Irwin. I applied and probably because nobody else was interested, I was recruited, arriving mid-1980. I still wonder whether I was the only candidate.

99 cent New York pizza I've no taste for it at any price I’m happier over there in England With the hopelessness and irony And the peerless Vindaloo (on rice) You know what they say about me? That my best work is behind me And is clearly out of fashion Yet some notable from Yale Writes to me - quite reverently Citing my "towering reputation in the field" I was not aware, my darling I had no idea, I swear I just work now to survive Thousands of colleagues saving lives Child death rates fall, that’s all I care These working years are almost gone This is written for the one to come Who might some day be wondering What her loving Dad was thinking In the evenings he would leave her For the late night flight to England For a sweet taste of the sullen atmosphere. ***** Click here for  more poems by Richard Morgan

How many of you have a dog or a cat? Or maybe a hamster or cockatoo or other animal friend? I cannot remember a time in my life when a dog was not part of the family. Currently, we have Tindy, a 3-1/2 year old mix of Greyhound, Affenpinscher, and Poodle. We know this only because the owner of her sister (coincidentally named Tilly) had a DNA test done.

Here’s the SG’s important statement before the Security Council yesterday. Robert Click here.   In the video below the SG's address begins at 2:04.  Full text of his address is also below.

UAE Flight Being Unloaded at Port Sudan Article Shared by Viviane Sakkal Since the war in Sudan began 10 months ago, it has been clear that the fighting has been fueled not only by the two feuding generals and their respective armies, but also by other countries vying for control and natural resources.  Gold, oil, and the potential for other natural resources are part of the equation.  Other goals include potential control of agricultural land.  Of strategic concern is the trans-Sahara trade routes that stretch from the Red Sea to the Atlantic, and potential tie-ups with rebel groups in the sub-Sahara.

There is reason concern when the UK and perhaps other major countries begin serious crackdowns on climate protests.  There is little doubt that some protests have gone too far - an example being criminal damage to works of art or public places.  Peaceful protests, however, are another matter.  

This is great news for children throughout Africa and other malaria -affected regions.  We have moved from testing to routing immunization.   Tom

Dear all It is with tremendous sadness that we share news concerning the unexpected death of our mother yesterday evening. She was loved by you and loved each of you so much. We will keep her memory alive in the everyday. The wake is scheduled for this Monday and Tuesday (details in the attached). We are finalising the funeral arrangements and will revert asap. Much love Nick, Philippe and Natacha Chers tous C'est avec une immense tristesse que nous vous faisons part du décès inattendu de notre mère survenu hier soir. Elle était aimée de vous et aimait beaucoup chacun d'entre vous. Nous garderons son souvenir vivant au quotidien. La veillée funèbre est prévue pour ce lundi et mardi (détails dans la pièce jointe). Nous sommes en train de finaliser les arrangements funéraires et nous vous tiendrons au courant dès que possible. Avec beaucoup d'amour Nick, Philippe et Natacha

  Here James Elder quotes John F. Kennedy and talks about which statements represent 'sincerity' so far in this war. Indeed, "Truth has been lethally absent." Tom In war, words matter too. And truth has been lethally absent. #Gaza pic.twitter.com/PdKxNB1QGy — James Elder (@1james_elder) December 19, 2023 The 4Ds that are devastating #Gaza 1/ Death from the skies 2/Disease 3/Depravation of food Critically, 2&3 both come from 4/ The DENIAL of access for aid agencies to reach people. Never worse than in Jan. (See graphic below⤵️) And so, 5/ Dark. It's all so very , very Dark. https://t.co/K65zAYVBdl — James Elder (@1james_elder) January 20, 2024

Three UNICEF colleagues sent me this article by the Guardian, which can be read in full length by clicking here . 

The sudden decline in US life expectancy This will resonate, I'm sure. Robert Cohen

Instagram post shared by Niloufar Pourzand

  Dear Fouad and Nadia I’m sorry to have to tell you that Paul died yesterday. He had become quite frail as well as his dementia problem so now we can remember him in happier times. Now 87 he had had a wonderful life, largely with UNICEF, so we must celebrate? I suppose I should alert the ex-UNICEF, can you help me with that?

Here are the articles authored by our members last week, plus a selection of the most frequently mentioned topics. We always encourage you to browse through all article that were posted. Horst Cerni loves celebrations, including the colourful Crucian Christmas Festival in the US Virgin Islands Fritz Lherisson sent us a New Year Message. Detlef Palm wonders what it takes for developing countries to catch up with the global North. Ramesh Shrestha shared his thought about the history and future of the UN and Multilateralism . Richard Morgan has a Poem about the  Jealous Moon .

 

The quotations below are taken from an exchange among Co-Peace members, Baquer Namazi and Andre Roberfroid. From Baquer: I liked the wise and compelling words below. So I thought I could share with you given your deep humanism. Baquer “If we have no peace, it is because we have forgotten that we belong to each other.” - Mother Teresa “To deny people their human rights is to challenge their very humanity.” - Nelson Mandela “An individual has not started living until he can rise above the narrow confines of his individualistic concerns to the broader concerns of all humanity.” - Martin Luther King Jr. “The bond of our common humanity is stronger than the divisiveness of our fears and prejudices.” - Jimmy Carter “We may have different religions, different languages, different colored skin, but we all belong to one human race. We all share the same basic values.” - Kofi Annan “The sole meaning of life is to serve humanity.” - Leo Tolstoy From Andre: Thank you so much Baquer for inspiring

UNICEF/UNI120444/Noorani Editor's Note : Tetsuko Kuroyanagi has served as a Goodwill Ambassador for UNICEF since 1984.  Click here for Kuroyanagi-san's page on UNICEF.org.    In the exchange of emails below Sam Koo shares his message to our long-retired colleague, Nagayo Sawa, asking that she pass on his congratulations to Tetsuko Kuroyanagi-san on having reached 90 and committed to continuing her work to age 100.   Kul Gautam adds his own congratulations and recalls awarding Kuroyanagi-san UNICEF's medal of recognition on the 20th anniversary of her service with UNICEF.   In our September 2020 Quarterly we included an excerpt from the lovely story, Little Girl at the Window , written by Tetsuko Kuroyanagi.   From Sam Koo Dear Sawa-san, HAPPY NEW YEAR! Lo and behold, the New York Times today carries a 4-column front page story with photos on our beloved Tetsuko. Click here for the full article in the NY Times A belated tribute to a great lady, the longest serving Unicef g

Letters for Palestinian childhoods is an exhibition of letters, poems, and artwork dedicated to the children of Palestine – currently online and soon to be a travelling exhibition. It aims to counter de-humanising narratives about Palestinians, showing solidarity by attending to the names, stories, experiences, dreams, and struggles of Palestinian children and the conditions which are so violently shaping their lives. Click here for the webpage The exhibition of letters will appear in London on Wednesday, 7 February at 6 PM  as part of a townhall and panel discussions beginning at 4 PM.   Venue: The Institute of Advanced Studies, Common Ground, G 11, South Wing, University College London, Gower Street, WC1E 6BT (view map)

 Article shared by Ian MacLeod Eleven children in Indonesia’s East Java province have been diagnosed with polio, health officials reported this week.

In history, philosophy or mathematics classes, you learn that the Greek hero Achilles could not catch up with the tortoise. At the start of the race, the tortoise was given a lead of 100 Meter. Whenever Achilles arrived at the tortoise’s former position, the tortoise had already moved ahead. And this continued, until they called it a day. Achilles never managed to overtake the beast.

Ms. Kaag said she was in Egypt “to see how we can facilitate, accelerate and expedite all areas of the assistance that is so much needed for civilians in Gaza, given the very acute humanitarian conditions that they have to live with.” She arrived in the capital, Cairo, on Monday, where she held “very good meetings and discussions” with the Ministers responsible for Foreign Affairs, Social Solidarity and Defence, as well as the Egyptian Red Crescent Society. “This is a very important visit because we see firsthand how much Egypt is doing with the volunteers and the government and everybody involved, to provide humanitarian assistance for the innocent civilians in Gaza,” she told reporters. She said the visit “is for me to see to discuss with colleagues how to improve how we can assist the Government and the Red Crescent as they wish, and how they see it useful, so we can ultimately benefit the civilians, innocent civilians, in Gaza." The information and discussions will be very imp

Photo by Nadia Garriga-Cerni I love celebrations, I love the sounds and colors and excitement they generate, the laughter of happy, carefree people and the music. 

Article and report shared by Tom McDermott Click here for the report.

Article shared by Tom McDermott Patients suffering dengue fever at a hospital in Dhaka.  credit :Mahmud Hossain /AP Click here fort the original article in the Guardian

"I have just finished a three-day visit to the Gaza Strip, where I have been able to coordinate with local and international organizations about the emergency response and take stock of humanitarian operations since the last time I was in the Gaza Strip two months ago. But more than that, I was able to meet with children and their families suffering some of the most horrific conditions I have ever seen.

Increasingly, she troubles me I'm seeing her lately as light blue In an auto-suggestive state Sometimes with a tinge of red A Queen's Guard helmet on her head   And I can't keep track at all Of the hours of her rising Her weeks of wax and wane Sure, you'd assume That a man on a planet with just one moon Would be capable of following her plane.   Yes, she troubles me Even when she shines on me Makes me feel like an alien  Misplaced in the city, sensing at best That I'm not where I was born to be.   The moon can be dangerous, too She can snare you with a tide And pull you under, reach down low Breaking up your wedding vows As you slowly sink and drown In dark pools of reflecting eyes   Not even wise To try to write a poem about the moon Her smile is concealing bad intent And she’s jealous of her font of light Just waiting for something to condemn In the affairs of boys and men. ***** Click here for  more poems by Richard Morgan

  Instagram post shared by Niloufar Pourzand

The United Nations, consisting of 193 sovereign countries, is the epitome of multilateralism. It has served and continues to serve its member states with the best intentions since its creation (endorsed) in 1945 within the framework of the UN charter which is as good today as it has ever been. However, the UN has always been in the spotlight with a barrage of criticisms for its inefficiencies, bloated bureaucracy, and for not being able to stop wars and conflicts. Whether or not such criticisms are justified depends on who you ask. Some of the criticisms are certainly justifiable. With the growing tendency of countries ignoring or even insulting the UN system outright makes us think if the UN is doing something severely wrong. A more pertinent question perhaps is, is the ‘wrongness’ with the idea of multilateralism or is it with the individuals representing their countries in the organisation?

Bill Gates says he is "jealous" of the huge global attention and focus that the annual UN climate talks (COP) receive. Meanwhile, he worries progress on global health risks sliding backwards as donors shift funding to the environment.

Article shared by Tom McDermott

  Instagram post shared by Niloufar Pourzand