Mercy Global Concern - 2002

2002 UNICEF Report on the state of the World's Children

Today we know better than ever that building a brighter future begins with children- with ensuring that they are healthy, educated, safe and loved. The evidence is abundant. Some studies show that for every dollar invested in a child's development, there is a seven-dollar return for all society.

For 55 years, UNCEF has been at the forefront of the world's efforts on behalf of children, working with governments and civil society partners on a wide range of programmes- from immunization and education to protecting young people from armed conflict and HIV/AIDS.

The UNICEF report illustrates how much can be achieved when commitment and resources are tied to specific targets. "Children are at the heart of everything we do. Only with the best possible start in life can children fully enjoy their childhood and grow up to realize their greatest potential as adults. Only in this way can we achieve a more peaceful and equitable world."

In 2001, UNICEF helped to secure these results for children

• A record 575 million children were immunized against polio.
• Girls' school enrolment increased in 21 countries
• Young people in 71 countries received support in HIV/AIDS prevention.
• Children and their families in Afghanistan received $14 million worth of emergency Aid from UNICEF
• More than 8,000 child soldiers were freed in Sierra Leone and Sudan.

Some country reports:

Measles kills 777,000 children every year. In 2001, UNICEF fought measles in more than 30 countries, helping to save the lives of over 80, 000 children. Efforts were particularly directed towards Africa, where most measles deaths occur.

"We use to bury two or three children a week because of measles. This does not happen anymore." Serigne Dame Leye, Chief of Ngouye Diaraf village, Senegal

Efforts to improve the lives of children are inseparable from actions to improve the lives of women. As long as 500,000 women continue to die each year from complications during pregnancy and childbirth, and many millions more suffer the dire effects of violence and discrimination, children will be in jeopardy.

In 2001, UNICEF supported programmes in 102 countries to secure women's rights to quality health care and freedom from discrimination and violence. They also supported women's health and nutrition through information campaigns. Many programmes engaged women and men in strategies to end the violence and harm girls and women face - including that which results from early marriages, female genital mutilation and other harmful practices.

"If I could do anything in my village, I would stop child marriages..."
Shiv Devi, 19, participant in gender-awareness project in India.

UNICEF helps children obtain education and life skills- one of the best preventives against abuse and exploitation. In areas of Brazil where child labour is prevalent, UNICEF provided supplies and gave families small stipends if their children attended school. The programme reached 790,000 children in 2001.
In India's 'carpet belt', UNICEF worked with factory owners in 200 villages to ensure that child rug weavers could attend school.

Faced with mounting disease and deaths from HIV/AIDS, especially in Sub-Saharan Africa, UNICEF supported programmes 121 countries providing AIDS awareness, prevention and care. In Sierra Leone, UNICEF helped more than 3,600 child soldiers leave army life.

Alhaji, aged 14 was abducted by rebel soldiers in Sierra Leone when he was 10 years old and forced to fight with them until UNICEF secured his release two years later. "The war destroyed everything", remembers Alhaji, whose family has still not been located. Thanks to the NGO Caritas, he is now in a foster home, studying at school and playing football. In November 2001, Alhaji became the first child ever to address the UN Security Council, where he urged members to help war-affected children. "We want a better life. We want peace. We are counting on you."

UNICEF is guided by the Convention on the Rights of the Child and strives to establish children's rights as enduring ethical principles and international standards of behavior towards children.

Deirdre Mullan RSM
New York