16-year old Ekleema waits to deliver her first baby after being in labour for 24 hours. She knows that childbearing is a risky business in Afghanistan, a country facing dearth of trained medical professionals due to escalating conflict.
For, Tilak Magar, a seventh-grade student who escaped his native
village in eastern Nepal following an armed conflict, the yearning
desire is to become a teacher and return to his village. He now runs a
club in one of the country’s town working for children’s rights.
Through these stories, UNICEF’s Humanitarian Action Report 2008
highlights plight of women and children who continue to bear the brunt
of conflict, displacement and deteriorating living conditions.
In 2007, several natural disasters and man-made emergencies
affected millions of lives across the globe. Floods, cyclones, ethnic
strives have threatened lives in every continent. Efforts need to be
stepped up to address such grave humanitarian concerns.
The report outlines UNICEF’s appeal for 39 emergencies around the world.
In context of South Asia, children face myriad challenges arising
from poverty, access to quality social services, bonded labour,
trafficking etc. Protracted conflict in Afghanistan, Nepal and Sri
Lanka and natural disasters in Bangladesh and India have created a
large number of internally displaced persons.
A major finding is that timely and flexible funding enables
international actors to respond effectively in collaboration with their
national counterparts. Adequate resources and adaptable financial and
administrative procedures are essential for an effective response to
emergencies.
For instance, in the aftermath of Tsunami disaster in 2004, global
funding mechanism and full organisational support to address
emergencies was activated.
The report focuses upon the importance of expanding partnerships with governments, NGOs and private sector.
Improving coordination between all the humanitarian actors is
vital for quick assistance in emergencies. It also helps in
strengthening disaster preparedness and response skills of the actors.
As part of the broader humanitarian reform agenda, the report
emphasises on greater predictability, accountability and leadership in
humanitarian action.
Another important conclusion of the report is that children and
communities should be equipped with necessary skills needed to identify
warning signals and cope with disasters.
