Humanitarian Action for Children 2014 Appeal - help children in emergencies by UNICEF 1:27pm 20th Feb, 2014   Every year, UNICEF responds to the needs of children in more than 250 humanitarian situations around the world – delivering medicines, vaccines, safe drinking water and other life-saving assistance, as well as ensuring that children have a safe learning environment and are protected from harm, abuse and exploitation.    All children living in emergency situations need special assistance to reach their full potential and grow into healthy and productive adults.    Many of these children are growing up in places that make the news headlines around the world. Many others, however, live in circumstances of enormous suffering, yet their stories are seldom heard.    On 21 February 2014, UNICEF launches the Humanitarian Action for Children (HAC), a global appeal highlighting the most pressing challenges facing children in emergencies around the world. It details the support they need and the results that can be achieved, even in the most difficult circumstances.    The HAC 2014 is the largest humanitarian appeal ever made by UNICEF – US$2.2 billion, in total – to provide critical assistance to 85 million people, including 59 million children.    Financial support will enable UNICEF and partners to treat 2.7 million severely malnourished children, immunize 19 million children against measles, and ensure access to safe water for 23 million children. About 7 million children will receive access to education and 2 million children will receive psychosocial support.    In the Syrian Arab Republic, where the crisis is approaching its third bitter anniversary, UNICEF requires $222 million to meet the needs of 10 million people (including 5 million children) inside the country, and $613 million for 23.7 million children in neighbouring countries.    Atrocities against children continue in the Central African Republic, where UNICEF is requesting $62 million to meet the humanitarian needs of 2.2 million people, including 740,000 children, in 2014.    In South Sudan, conflict has displaced hundreds of thousands, with children bearing the heaviest burden. UNICEF is scaling up its response to the humanitarian needs of children and women in South Sudan and refugee-hosting countries.    In Afghanistan, where upcoming elections and the withdrawal of international forces will likely have a significant impact on security and development, UNICEF is requesting $36.4 million to respond to the ongoing nutrition crisis, provide water and sanitation services, and to support displaced persons and children and women affected by conflict.    Children in Yemen face a consistently challenging humanitarian situation, exacerbated by political instability, multiple localized conflicts and chronic underdevelopment. There are 13 million people lacking access to safe drinking water and sanitation, and more than 1 million children are acutely malnourished. UNICEF is requesting $65 million to meet the needs of the country’s most vulnerable children in 2014.    In these and other countries around the world, supported by the generosity of donors, UNICEF will work with national governments, civil society, partner organizations and other specialized agencies of the United Nations to help communities prepare for crisis, to respond when it hits, to save as many lives as possible and to protect the rights and well-being of children.    * See more at: http://www.unicef.org/appeals/ Visit the related web page
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