April 2010: The UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF), in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO), the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), the UN Population Fund (UNFPA), the UN Development Programme (UNDP), the Joint UN Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS), the World Food Programme (WFP) and the World Bank, has published the fourth edition of “Facts for Life.”
A section on emergencies, preparedness and response notes that an estimated 26 million people were displaced by armed conflicts and violence in 2007, while each year up to 50 million people are displaced due to disasters. The report suggests that climate change could increase these numbers.
The report highlights that girls, boys and women typically are the most affected by emergencies and that displacement undermines livelihoods and social support mechanisms. This can lead to family separations and increase children’s vulnerability to discrimination, abuse, violence, poverty and exploitation. The publication provides information on how to prevent child and maternal deaths, diseases, injuries and violence. [The Report]