XUNICEF News and Views

Grapevine Have you heard from colleagues who are still working or who have recently left UNICEF?  Let us know what you hear. .... From chats with a few current HQ staff:  Word from HQ is grim.

GHF and the UN: How a closed-door meeting ignited a humanitarian legitimacy crisis Combined brief based on reporting by The New Humanitarian (Aug 13, 2025)  and commentary by Geneva Solutions (Aug 14, 2025) Click here for the article (UNRWA letter & UN meeting report)  Click here for the article (Norah Niland op-ed) Summary A secret 6 August meeting in New York between senior UN humanitarian officials (including OCHA), the ICRC, InterAction, and the US- and Israeli-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) cracked open a rift at the heart of humanitarian action.

UNRWA demands “urgent clarification” over UN meeting with the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation The New Humanitarian — August 13, 2025 Click here for the article Summary UNRWA’s Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini has issued a leaked letter to UN Emergency Relief Coordinator Tom Fletcher demanding “urgent clarification” following a meeting on August 6 involving the UN and major aid organizations with the U.S.- and Israeli-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF).

  Click here for the article  (The Atlantic). See also video interview with Anne Applebaum on her Sudan visits See also Tony Lake's appeal  for contributions on behalf of Mutual Aid Sudan and the Emergency Response Rooms This Is What the End of the Liberal World Order Looks Like By Anne Applebaum — The Atlantic, August 6, 2025 Summary Anne Applebaum offers a grim portrait of Sudan’s collapse as a test case for the disappearance of the liberal world order. Traveling through Khartoum, Omdurman, Port Sudan, and West Darfur, she documents the human toll of the civil war between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF)—a conflict marked by mass displacement, famine, and atrocities including rape, looting, and starvation as a weapon of war.

Dear Friends and Family, I am writing (to many of you, again) in support of the brave, mostly young civilians maintaining the local Emergency Response Rooms in Sudan – the worst humanitarian crisis in the world. A Gaza - which is horrible enough in itself – writ still larger. And largely off – camera. For those of you who contributed earlier, heartfelt thanks and a hope you can do so again. For those of you who have not – please do so. For the human catastrophe there grows ever deeper.

Dear UPGI Members, It is with deep regret, I share the news that Mrs. Lillykutty George (Age 66 years), Wife of Mr. George Thomas - Retired as Manager, ICICI Bank - passed away at 08:47 A.M. on 24 July 2025 after a prolonged illness.

On his 104th birthday today (8 August 2025), I recall with great nostalgia my esteemed guru, the late Dr. Vulimiri Ramalingaswami. Rama was a world-class public health leader, a multifaceted professional recognized for his work as a physician, educator, humanist, administrator, and research scientist.

For those who don't have WP access, I copied into a Word doc the first part of the article that includes 500 names (less than 3 per cent). It's 43 pages long. Ellen

Editor's Note: "The New York Call" and the "New York Declaration" are separate but linked outcome documents from the UN Conference on Palestine.  The New York Call is a parallel document to the main outcome document, "The New York Declaration" .   The Call expresses willingness to recognize Palestine "as an essential step towards the two-State solution. "The Call" was  signed by   Foreign Ministers of 15 countries (Andorra, Australia, Canada, Finland, France, Iceland, Ireland, Luxembourg, Malta, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, San Marino, Slovenia, Spain). 

The New York Declaration Summary - full text is below The New York Declaration, issued at a multilateral conference co-chaired by France and Saudi Arabia from July 28–30, 2025, lays out a sweeping framework for ending the war in Gaza, implementing a two-state solution, and advancing regional integration.

Former Irish President Delivers Keynote Address at UN Conference on Israel-Palestine on behalf of the Elders Well spoken..will it lead to action?   Fouad

Dear colleagues, Robert Ledogar who recently passed away was my supervisor, teacher and mentor back in the 80' in Guatemala. I have written a short piece on how I remember Robert - and shared it with his niece Nancy. If you would seem appropriate to publish it in our newsletter, please go ahead. With best regards. Dita Reichenberg

Article shared by Anis Salem Click here for the article  "For the first time..." CNN

Report shared by Anis Salem Comment by Tom McDermott B’Tselem is a leading Israeli human rights NGO that has long advocated for the rights of Palestinians and has been a valued partner of UNICEF.

 

  Scams and Fraud: Protecting Your Finances in a   Digital Era   Virtual presentation to the Association of Former International Civil   Servants (AFICS)   Tuesday 29 July 2025 from 09:00 – 10:15 New York time   UNFCU offers tailored financial solutions for UN and international organization’s staff, retirees,   consultants and their family members. Join us on Tuesday 29 July, to learn more about how to   protect yourself from fraudsters and scammers.   The presentation will cover:   ⚫ Latest frauds and scams tactics  ⚫ How to stay vigilant and safeguard your personal information  ⚫ Resources to help you identify fraudsters  Zoom presentation:   ⚫ Click here to join your computer or mobile app  ⚫ Webinar ID: 889 3395 5520  ⚫ Passcode: 684190  For further assistance, please reach out to GeneralAssembly@unfcu.com or visit   unfcu.org/contact.   United Nations Federal Credit Union (UNFCU) is a U...

  Al Arabiya with Sigrid Kaag, Former UN Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process

  News Links is on a summer break.  We hope to resume posting links in the week beginning 24 August.  Until then, enjoy a brief break from the news.    July 26 – Ceasefire talks collapse as Gaza faces deeper aid blockade and Israeli accusations, while over 1.3 million displaced Sudanese return home amid fragile peace. Gaza Ceasefire Collapse & Aid Blockade : Ceasefire negotiations in Doha have collapsed, with Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu and former U.S. President Trump withdrawing amid accusations of Hamas intransigence. Trump publicly urged Israel to “ finish the job ”. Meanwhile, Israeli offensives intensify, aid convoys are heavily restricted, and UN News reports rising deaths at distribution points and deepening hunger across Gaza. The Washington Post details how the blockade is fueling mass civilian suffering. UN Accusations & Response : Israel has accused UN humanitarian staff of ties to Hamas and declared OCHA “no longer neutral.” UN aid chie...

  Gaza, Ukraine, Sudan, the USA … The news is so terrible and depressing. My mind needs a break from all the horror and disgust. In times like these, I go out and take photographs. Spring has arrived, and we've had a few sunny, colorful days. Sun or clouds, color or not—Spring is here. And it’s not just about the light, but about the renewal of life. Unfortunately, not everyone is speaking of life or its renewal. Sometimes, we have to strive to see the light—yet it is all around us.

  Vacation News & Views will take a summer break during the month of August.

  Sunset and Smog over Mount Royal, Montreal, Canada

  Good nutrition is a cornerstone of a child's survival, growth and development, empowering them to learn, engage, and to contribute positively to society. Conversely, malnutrition can hinder this progress, curtailing their futures before they even begin.

Dear Editors, This sad message just in from Ejgil Christensen's daughter Signe. Ejgil was head of the Greeting Card Operation for several years, overseeing the transition to "Private Sector Division" and also the development of a new (and still used) logo, thereby unifying the dozens of logos that regions and countries were using up until then. Paula Claycomb Dear all, We come with the sad news that our father Ejgil passed away yesterday evening, July 24. We were always by his side in the last days, holding his hands and stroking his hair, until the very end. We will miss him very much but are thankful to have had the chance to have him in our lives as long as we did. The memorial will be held on Friday, the 1st of August at 1:30 pm, in Finderup Kirke, where mom and dad were married 71 years ago, and where our moms parents were buried. Love, Signe, Jens and Tomas 

 Shared by Niloufar Pourzand

Linkedin post shared by Tom McDermott

    We are taking our summer break during August. We hope to resume publishing on 30 August. Anyone wishing to share an article or announcement should submit it in the usual way to the editors' email address - xunicef.news.views@gmail.com . We hope you will enjoy your own time off during this period - Happy Vacation!! The Editors @ XUNICEF News & Views

“Severe malnutrition is spreading among children faster than aid can reach them, and the world is watching it happen. Since April this year, the reported number of children who have died from malnutrition has jumped from 52 to 80 - a staggering 54 per cent increase in less than three months, according to the Palestinian Ministry of Health. In just 48 hours, at least four more children reportedly died of starvation. In total, more than 100 people have died from malnutrition during this war, and 80 per cent of them are children.

I like to listen to podcasts. Sometimes while cooking, or gardening. Smartphones make it easier these days. I can multitask. Some podcasts are in the audio format. I like them. But some are videos––I especially like the one that's hosted by former American First Lady Michelle Obama and her brother, Craig Robinson, an athlete, a coach and a former entrepreneur. I like to watch them speak––audio isn't enough in this case.

 Linkedin post shared by Gautam Banerji

Article shared by Tom McDermott At long last, mainline U.S. newspapers are beginning to report more consistently on the intentional starvation and unfolding genocide in Gaza. The photographs in this piece are stark, graphic, and harrowing. The facts and images have long been available—what’s changing is that they are now appearing too often to ignore, even for those who would rather look away. Tom

Facebook video shared by Niloufar Pourzand

Article shared by Fouad Kronfol More condemnation of the IDF and its role in Gaza “humanitarian aid “..It is increasingly true that the narrative of this genocide is being reported upon by western media. The NYT, Washington Post, CNN and our local Canadian media are all now reporting on its various dimensions of human depravity on display in our living rooms. When will the politicos wake up to smell the roses ? Fouad

Article shared by Tom McDermott Click here for the article Summary The Trump administration has unleashed sweeping budget cuts that threaten to cripple key United Nations operations, including agencies long supported by the U.S. like UNICEF and the UN Development Programme. The recently passed $9 billion Rescission Act of 2025 rolls back over $1 billion in U.S. contributions, affecting peacekeeping, humanitarian aid, and children’s nutrition programs. 

Click here to download the report Child malnutrition estimates for the indicators of stunting, wasting, overweight and underweight describe the magnitude and patterns of malnutrition aligned with the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) Target 2.2.

Shared by Gautam Banerji Jeremy Bowen’s InDepth on BBC is a must read, coming as it does from a veteran journalist who has seen it all spanning through his career. A well balanced and nuanced approach, which cautions us nevertheless to be on the right side of history, lest we be complicit in some of the gravest crimes against humanity that’s on the verge of being condemned as a deliberate act of genocide.

With outright lies, rhetorical propaganda, the US withdraws from UNESCO, one of humankind’s greatest guardians of heritage and promoters of culture and knowledge. Another dark day. But there will be a dawn, sooner or later.

Dear Colleagues, You may have seen the message shared yesterday by our Executive Director regarding the first set of decisions following the June Global PBR process. We know many of you are trying to process what this means for children, the organization, your teams, and yourselves.

Bob Ledogar brought a lightness of being and utter dependability to my years in New York during the heady aftermath of the World Summit for Children. I arrived from the Middle East and North Africa Region to take on the role of Director of Planning and Coordination for UNICEF, new to UN Headquarters and an outsider.

Dear Colleagues, I am writing to share with you an update on the status of the Future Focus Initiative. In particular, I wanted to be sure you are aware of the discussions at the recent Global Programme Budget Review (PBR). The attached Information Note provides an overview of the decisions following the June Global PBR, as well as an update on the next steps in the Global PBRs in July and September. The outcomes of the Regional PBRs have been shared with the concerned Country Offices.

Article shared by Tom McDermott There are some very important interactive visuals in this article on Gaza's nutritional situation - worth perusing.  Tom

Article shared by Tom McDermott click here for the article Summary In early June 2025, Harvard Education Publishing Group abruptly cancelled a nearly completed “Education and Palestine” issue of the Harvard Educational Review—just weeks before publication.

Twitter post WHO ’s staff residence in Deir al Balah, #Gaza, was attacked three times today as well as its main warehouse.   Israeli military entered the premises, forcing women and children to evacuate on foot toward Al-Mawasi amid active conflict. Male staff and family members were handcuffed, stripped, interrogated on the spot and screened at gunpoint. 

I am sharing an updated registration form link as the other one seems corrupted, and people are not able to complete their registration.

Shared by Robert Cohen Robert Joseph Ledogar Author, Teacher and Humanitarian Robert Ledogar died peacefully on July 2nd surrounded by family, in Northampton Massachusetts.

  Photo courtesy of Robert Cohen Tribute to Robert Ledogar I am deeply saddened to learn about the passing of my dear friend and colleague, Robert J. Ledogar. Regrettably, I am unable to attend his memorial service on August 3, 2025. But I would like to share this brief tribute to him.

Shared by Lou Mendez More updates - Lou While the document looks at employment in the entire UN system, it focuses on the top 10 agencies in terms of numbers of people employed.   The following summary focuses on UNICEF’s situation as reported in the June 2025 Devex guide.   UNICEF Under Strain: Budget Cuts, Job Losses, and Structural Overhaul UNICEF is facing one of its most serious contractions in recent history, driven by the Trump administration’s January 2025 freeze on U.S. foreign aid and by steep declines in funding from other traditional donors, especially in Europe. Since January 24, 2025, UNICEF job postings on Devex have dropped by 52.1% compared to the same period in 2024. This represents a sharp decline across all major contract types. Full-time staff positions and long-term consulting roles were especially hard-hit. While short-term contracts fared somewhat better, they too saw a significant decline. In late May, UNICEF leadership announced a m...

I’m writing to share an article I’ve recently authored that I believe may resonate with the readership of XUNICEF News and Views.  Enough Silence: A Reflection on Gaza’s Crisis, addresses the moral and civic implications of global silence in the face of suffering in Gaza.  Each piece engages with themes of ethical stewardship, human dignity, and the urgent need for responsible engagement—principles that echo both our shared professional commitments and the challenges facing global communities today. I would be honored if they could contribute meaningfully to the platform’s ongoing discourse. Warm regards, M. Munir A. Safieldin msafieldin@gmail.com Enough Silence! For 21 months, Israel has laid siege to over two million civilians in Gaza, using starvation as a weapon of war, destroying homes, hospitals, schools, water plants, and every shred of civil infrastructure. Over 50,000 people have been slaughtered, including thousands of women and children. This is not war. This is ann...

Dear colleagues Greetings from Zimbabwe and trust that you are well! We are pleased to share the attached Itinerary Outline for planning and budget purposes, whilst we are working on the detailed program.

Article shared by Niloufar Pourzand   Click here for the article    Summary   In the wake of Israel’s bombings in Iran and a new government crackdown, tens of thousands of Afghans have been expelled from Iran, many forcibly and under degrading conditions. Afghans report being harassed, arbitrarily detained, having valid documents invalidated, and facing systemic exclusion from basic services.