End the Shame. End the Isolation. End Fistula.

Thursday is the first-ever International Day to End Obstetric Fistula. 

Performer Natalie Imbruglia is joining our UNFPA colleagues to raise awareness about this devastating, but preventable, childbirth injury caused by prolonged obstructed labor. Watch the video here: http://j.mp/192b18A

Follow Campaign to End Fistula on Facebook for updates all year long.

Wednesday May 22 is International Day for Biological Diversity which celebrates water and biodiversity — the variety of life on Earth.

“Although seemingly abundant, only a tiny amount of the water on our planet is easily available as freshwater,” says UN Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon. “We live in an increasingly water insecure world where demand often outstrips supply and where water quality often fails to meet minimum standards. Under current trends, future demands for water will not be met.”

Have a look at some of the many events taking place around the world, and learn what you can do in your own community. Every person can make a difference!

Read how UNICEF brings hope to Syria by distributing 50 incubators to help newborns.

Tiny hopes for Syria amid the violence
By Alma Hassoun

DAMASCUS, 20 May 2013 – Five-day old Yaman took a long stretch inside an incubator at a charity hospital in Damascus, while his mother and sister were admiring him happily through the glass door of the unit.

Yaman has in many ways become one of Syria’s smallest hopes amid vicious fighting that has damaged hospitals and taken thousands of lives. His mother remained nearby, ready to breastfeed her youngest child to ensure the best nutritional start to life.

Next to him was a tiny girl sleeping quietly. Both babies are expected to be fine, but were placed delicately in an incubator because of a small infection for Yaman and a respiratory problem for the girl.
 
But until last month, there were only four incubators in the hospital — far short of what was needed.   
 
UNICEF has been providing NGOs throughout the country with incubators that can help save the lives of many infants like Yaman, with three machines for this hospital in Damascus, another two in Aleppo and one in Homs. A remaining 44, out of 50 purchased, will be distributed to private and public hospitals throughout Syria.

“The incubators came just on time,” said Dr. Wisam Baraki, a neonatology specialist.          
 
Before that, infants were sometimes placed on beds and oxygen was administered manually by parents because incubators were not available, a doctor explained.

“The incubator is life-saving medical equipment for babies born with difficulties especially in breathing,” said Dr. Iman Bahnasi, UNICEF health specialist. “It is crucial especially at this time as there is a shortage in incubators resulting from damaging and looting many hospitals.”

The protracted violence has continued to devastate health facilities in Syria. Out of 88 public hospitals, less than half are fully functioning, with some 27 destroyed and 21 only partially working. In addition, 10 per cent of the health centres in Syria are damaged according to the World Health Organization in December 2012.
 
UNICEF and partners are providing humanitarian assistance throughout the country including medical support for children and families.  This year alone, 50 UNICEF supported mobile medical teams in 12 governorates and a fixed centre in Damascus, have reached over 60,700 children with medical check-ups.    
 
Photo credit: © UNICEF/Syria-2013/Alma Hassoun

(Source: unicef)

Tuesday May 21 is World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development. This day sees the launch of the world campaign “Do One Thing for Diversity and Inclusion”, aimed at engaging people around the world to Do One Thing for Diversity and Inclusion — today and every day all year long.

Bridging the gap between cultures is urgent and necessary for peace, stability and development. This campaign therefore focuses on raising awareness to improve understanding and cooperation among people from different cultures.

The campaign works through a dedicated Facebook page, serving as a platform for people around the world to share their experiences through posts and videos. Join it and express which One Thing is on your to-do list!

Delegates from all over the world will take part in the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues in New York City this week. Culture, education and health will be at the forefront of the discussions: “They are at the core of indigenous peoples’ right to life, our right to dignity and well-being,” says Paul Kanyinke Sena, Chair of the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues.

At the same time, an online campaign invites indigenous peoples to post their photos, videos and stories online. More details are available on the Proud To Be Indigenous Facebook page.

The above photo collage features images from the campaign running through end of May where indigenous peoples from all over the world are encouraged to share why they are proud of their heritage. You can participate by tweeting your own photo and tagging #Proud2BIndigenous.

Great news from UNICEF!

Tetanus - one of the deadliest diseases a mother and newborn can face - has been eliminated in more than half of the 59 affected countries that UNICEF and partners targeted just 13 years ago.

The United Nations has called for the urgent relocation of all communities living in the path of Cyclone Mahasen in Myanmar’s Rakhine State.

Humanitarian agencies currently work to get people in Bangladesh and Myanmar to safer ground, including people living in camps throughout the region. To prepare for the impact of the storm, relief workers and emergency supplies have been mobilized.

The State Government estimates that about 4.1 million people are living in at-risk areas and has ordered the evacuation of about 1 million people from 15 coastal districts.

Learn more about the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) and its efforts to alleviate human suffering in disasters and emergencies like Cyclone Mahasen.

Wednesday May 15 is International Day of Families. It aims to raise awareness about the importance of family issues and the position and well-being of the family.

“Families hold societies together, and intergenerational relationships extend this legacy over time,” says UN Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon, in a message. “On this International Day of Families, I call on governments, civil society, families and individuals to support initiatives that bring people together across generations toward building a healthier world for all.”

International Day of Families is a great opportunity to promote awareness of issues relating to families and to increase knowledge of the social, economic and demographic processes affecting families.

Read more about this year’s event and theme here.