Humanitarian Action for Children 2011 - Unicef

Iraq and vulnerable Iraqis in Egypt, Jordan, Lebanonand the Syrian Arab RepublicChildren and women in crisisUnremitting violence not only sets the backdrop of daily life in much of Iraq, it has also weakenedgovernance and crippled the ability of the country to feed, protect and educate its citizenry.Political and economic turmoil has led to the great vulnerability of women and children, who arethreatened by poverty, undernutrition, lack of safe water and sanitation, insufficient educationalresources and the prospect of personal violence and abuse. Iraqis must contend with threats ofdrought, decimated infrastructure and a large population of refugees and internally displacedpeople. The number of displaced Iraqis is counted in the millions, with a large number of Iraqisseeking refuge in neighbouring countries and over a million displaced inside the country sincethe height of 2006 violence. Return of people to their homes is thwarted by continuing fears andinsecurity. Vulnerable Iraqi women and children – whether in Iraq, Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon orthe Syrian Arab Republic – require sustained, intense assistance to assure basic living standardsand fundamental protection in a context of war, violence and political discord.Humanitarianfunding at work:Highlights from 2010In 2010, UNICEF estimated thatUS$49,857,545 was neededto fund its humanitarian workin Iraq and neighbouringcountries. As of October 2010,a total of US$7,220,298 hadbeen received for Iraq and atotal of US$10,158,315 for theregional response to vulnerableIraqis living in Egypt, Jordan,Lebanon and the SyrianArab Republic. Despite theshortfall in funding, UNICEFprovided 7 metric tons of F100and F75 therapeutic milk forthe recovery of over 2,000undernourished children inIraq. In Anbar, Basrah, Missanand Thiqar Provinces, 43,000children under 5 and 17,000pregnant women gained betteraccess to primary health care.Improved access to safe waterand sanitation was providedto over 1 million people in 48communities. Some 286,700students (38 per cent of themgirls) and 17,390 teachers (44per cent women) were directlysupported through emergencyeducation interventions.UNICEF also trained 750teachers and 7,500 children onrisks and prevention of abuse.Meeting urgent needs and building resilience in 2011UNICEF has multiple cluster responsibilities in Iraq as lead of the education and WASHclusters, deputy lead of the health and nutrition cluster with the World Health Organization, anddeputy of the protection cluster with UNHCR. In 2011, UNICEF will continue to work with theGovernments of Iraq, Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon and the Syrian Arab Republic, other UN agenciesand NGOs in addressing the needs of 3.5 million vulnerable Iraqis.• In Iraq, some 140,000 children and women will receive essential vitamins, nutrients andnutritional interventions to combat undernutrition. Children under age 5 will be a specialfocus in the 26 priority districts, including those in the Marshlands and drought-affected areas.• In Iraq, training of medical personnel and expanding access to public health centres willgive 50,000 children and women better access to primary health care. Repair and expansionof three maternity wards will improve the chances for safe childbirth.• In Iraq, safe drinking water and improved sanitation will be provided to over 200,000 peoplein vulnerable communities in the 26 priority districts.• Educational support will benefit 300,000 children and youths in Iraq through creation orrehabilitation of learning facilities, and via second-chance learning for children who weredeprived of basic education as a result of conflict.• Services in Iraq for preventing, monitoring, reporting on and responding to child protectionviolations during emergencies will be strengthened. In Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon and theSyrian Arab Republic, UNICEF will continue to provide for recreational activities, outreachinterventions for the most marginalized and psychological support of Iraqi refugee childrenas well as building capacity of service providers to meet the basic social needs of Iraqi refugeechildren. About 100,000 people in Iraq will be reached with awareness-raising initiatives onHIV and AIDS and prevention of mother-to-child transmission.Funding requirements for 2011UNICEF is requesting a total of US$40,056,000 for its work assisting vulnerable Iraqis:US$22,000,000 to carry out its planned activities in Iraq, US$14,200,000 to assist vulnerableIraqi women and children in the Syrian Arab Republic, US$2,831,000 for those living in Jordan,US$525,000 in Lebanon and US$500,000 in Egypt. This request is in line with the UNHCR-ledRegional Response Plan for Iraqi Refugees.More information regarding results from 2010 and humanitarian action plans tobenefit Iraqis in 2011 can be found at www.unicef.org/hac2011.UNICEF EMERGENCY NEEDS FOR 2011 (in US dollars)Total $40,056,000IRAQ4,965,000 Health4,120,000 Child protection45,000 HIV and AIDS980,000 Nutrition7,840,000 WASHSYRIA 3,920,000 Child protection and ADAP*300,000 Cluster coordination3,570,000Education480,000Clustercoordination2,150,000 Health7,830,000 EducationJORDAN LEBANON EGYPT1,700,000 Education431,000 Cluster coordination700,000 Child protection325,000 Child protection200,000 Education500,000 Health*Adolescent development and participationwww.unicef.org/hac2011 | 2011 UNICEF Humanitarian Action FOR CHILDREN 49