UNICEF's Humanitarian Action Report 2010 has emphasized the critical role of partnerships in assisting vulnerable children and families caught in crisis situations worldwide.

The Humanitarian Action Report, launched by Deputy Executive Director Hilde F. Johnson is UNICEF's only publication dealing specifically with the needs of children and women in emergencies. It spotlights crises that require exceptional support, and additional funding, to save lives and protect children from harm in an increasingly challenging humanitarian environment. This year's report - subtitled 'Partnering for children in emergencies' - says the world is seeing crises exacerbated by larger trends, such as climate change and the international financial downturn, that are beyond the capacity of any one agency to address.

'Unprecedented' challenges

"The tragic events in Haiti are still very present in our thoughts, with some 3 million people affected by the earthquake," said Ms. Johnson. "As we launch UNICEF's Humanitarian Action Report 2010, we know that millions of children are suffering also elsewhere. They suffer from disasters, conflicts and displacement around the world. "Reiterating the importance of partnerships, Ms. Johnson spoke of the collaboration needed at every level to address the urgent needs of children and women in Haiti - and in all of the 28 countries and territories featured in the report. "The number of children affected by humanitarian disasters and crises, by hunger and malnutrition, is increasing significantly," she said.

"Children are put at grave risk. It's unprecedented. At the same time, armed conflict continues to blight the lives of millions of children. In countries like Afghanistan, Pakistan, DR Congo and Sudan, emergencies are becoming more and more complex," Ms. Johnson noted. "Children are subject to abuse and grave violations of their rights. This includes sexual violence, killing and maiming, and forced recruitment into armed groups."

Ensuring children's rights

The new Humanitarian Action Report emphasizes the need to ensure that all children's rights are secured in a world that has just celebrated the 20th anniversary of the Convention on the Rights of the Child. To that end, the report appeals for nearly $1.2 billion in international donor funding for emergency-response efforts in countries covering six regions - from Eastern Europe to Africa to Asia to Latin America. The funding will be used to support a greater emphasis on emergency preparedness, early warning, disaster risk reduction and rapid recovery.

The report can be accessed at:
http://www.unicef.org/har2010/files/UNICEF_Humanitarian_Action_Report_2010-Full_Report_WEB_EN.pdf