Date Published: 19 March 2011

US $51M needed urgently for children in Côte d'Ivoire and Liberia

UNICEF appeals for US$ 51 million to meet the urgent needs of children in Côte d'Ivoire and Liberia

UNICEF is appealing for US$ 51 million to meet the rapidly growing humanitarian needs of children and families devastated by the post-election crisis in the Ivory Coast. Women and children account for around 60% of the 300,000+ Ivorians who have been internally displaced by ongoing violence in Ivory Coast's recent post-election crisis. Women and children also form the majority of the 90,000 refugees, who have fled to neighboring Liberia.

In emergency situations children are often especially vulnerable. UNICEF is on the ground in Côte d'Ivoire and Liberia working to ensure that children are protected from violence, that they have continued access to health services and are able to go to school during what continues to be a volatile political situation. Over the next three months, this critically needed funding will help to continue to provide lifesaving emergency supplies and services to the increasing number of children affected by the crisis.

Through UNICEF support in Côte d'Ivoire to date, over 1.7 million children aged between 6 months and 5 years have been vaccinated against measles and other illnesses; thousands of children have been screened for malnutrition; and some 20,000 children have been provided with education materials. In Liberia's Nimba County, UNICEF has targeted all children with a measles vaccination campaign and has improved access to clean water and sanitation in communities hosting refugee populations.

Please help if you can.
You can donate to UNICEF online at: http://www.unicef.org.uk/Donate/Donate-Now

About UNICEF
UNICEF works in more than 190 countries and territories to help children survive and thrive, from early childhood through adolescence. The world's largest provider of vaccines for developing countries, UNICEF supports child health and nutrition, good water and sanitation, quality basic education for all boys and girls, and the protection of children from violence, exploitation and AIDS. UNICEF is funded entirely by the voluntary contributions of individuals, businesses, foundations and governments. (Statement from unicef.org)

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