Tue, 21-Oct-2025

Pakistan urges UNICEF to step in over Indian Vaccine Supply delays

Pakistan urges UNICEF to step in over Indian Vaccine Supply delays

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Ministry of National Health has contacted UNICEF to raise concerns over delays by India in supplying polio, measles, and typhoid vaccines, News reported, citing sources. Sources said Pakistan has asked UNICEF to urgently resolve the issue to make sure these essential vaccines arrive on time. UNICEF has assured Pakistan that it will work … Read more

Saba Qamar joins UNICEF in fight against child marriage

Saba Qamar joins UNICEF in fight against child marriage

UNICEF has started an important campaign in Pakistan to tackle child marriage. The main goal is to raise awareness about the rights of children, especially young girls, in society. It’s a serious effort to protect their future. Actress Saba Qamar, a UNICEF National Ambassador, features in an emotional video message for the campaign. She strongly … Read more

Junaid Family Foundation signs LoC with Gates Foundation & UNICEF to advance maternal health

Junaid Family

ISLAMABAD/WASHINGTON: Junaid Family Foundation has signed a landmark Letter of Cooperation (LoC) with the Gates Foundation and UNICEF to strengthen collaboration on the promotion and scale-up of Multiple Micronutrient Supplementation (MMS) for women in Pakistan, with a particular focus on maternal and newborn health. Though Pakistan is already a global leader in scaling up MMS, … Read more

Fear and uncertainty haunt war-shattered Gaza: UN  

UN  

UITED NATIONS: Israel’s deadly military operations and the aid blockade have continued to add to daily fears and hardships being faced by those about to give birth in the devastated enclave. That’s the message from the UN World Health Organization, WHO, which said that mothers are going into labour amid dire conditions, putting their health … Read more

Pakistan ranks among four countries that contribute half of global maternal deaths: UN report

Pakistan

UNITED NATIONS:  Pakistan is ranked among four countries — together with Nigeria, India and Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) — that accounted for nearly half of the estimated 260,000 maternal deaths worldwide in 2023, according to UN data released Monday that has prompted stark warnings about the impact of cuts to aid funding by … Read more

CM Maryam seeks operational plan to control spread of HIV/AIDS in Taunsa   

CM Maryam

LAHORE: Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz has sought an operational plan to control HIV/AIDS in Tehsil Taunsa Sharif. According to the hospital administration, another child has confirmed the HIV virus in Tunsa, after which the number of affected children has increased to 107 while the hospital is being screened daily by children, including. Chief Minister … Read more

UNICEF to open three more child protection units next month

UNICEF to open three more child protection units next month

UNICEF is strengthening child protection efforts in Pakistan by establishing District Child Protection Units (DCPUs) in vulnerable areas. By April 2025, three additional units will become operational, ensuring essential support for at-risk children. In a recent report, UNICEF highlighted the critical role of these units in assisting children facing abuse, neglect, and violence. One such … Read more

PM Shehbaz launches first anti-polio drive of 2025

PM Shehbaz

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif launched a nationwide anti-polio campaign for the year 2025 (Feb 3-9) by administering polio drops to children under the age of five.

Addressing the launching ceremony, the prime minister reaffirmed his government’s determination to eliminate the polio disease from Pakistan.

He said that the national polio vaccination drive would target millions of children in the country to save their future and health.

He hoped that the dedicated teams would work day and night to eradicate the disease, and would reach the far flung areas and villages, adding these teams would successfully meet the huge national responsibility by utilizing their complete energies.

The prime minister said that unfortunately, during the last year, a total of 77 polio cases were reported in the country which emerged as a huge challenge, besides posing a setback.

This year, only one case was reported, he said, and expressed the resolve to eradicate polio at all costs; with dedicated team work and support from the international partners.

The prime minister also expressed the hope that with international coordination and support, the crippling disease in the neighbouring brotherly country Afghanistan would end.

He appreciated all the international partners including WHO, UNICEF, Bill Gates Foundation and the brotherly country Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for their commitment and efforts to the government in its efforts to eliminate polio.

Speaking on the occasion, PM’ Coordinator on National Health Services Dr Mukhtar Bharat said that they had highlighted the number of polio cases which were reported last year and did not hide it from the international community.

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Sindh Imposes ban on formula Milk sales without prescription

Sindh Imposes ban on formula Milk sales without prescription

The Sindh government has banned the sale of baby formula milk without a doctor’s prescription and implemented the Sindh Protection and Promotion of Breastfeeding and Child Nutrition Act to enforce strict regulations on the sale and promotion of artificial formula milk. The new law prohibits the sale of artificial formula milk without a doctor’s prescription, … Read more

Four children killed or injured by UXO per day in Syria: UNICEF

UNICEF

UNITED NATIONS: Syria’s lethal legacy of landmines and other explosives left over from years of conflict has led to the deaths of over 100 children in the last month alone, the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) said, calling on the international community to urgently support country-wide demining projects.

Ricardo Pires, UNICEF Communication Manager for Emergencies, told journalists from Damascus that in the last nine years, at least 422,000 incidents involving unexploded ordnance – or UXO – were reported in 14 governorates across Syria, “with half estimated to have ended in tragic child casualties”.

“Girls and boys in the country continue to suffer the brutal impact of unexploded ordnance (UXO) at an alarming rate,” he said.

The UNICEF official underscored that in December last year, 116 children were killed or injured by UXO, an average of nearly four per day – a likely underestimate “given the fluidity of the situation,” he told journalists in Geneva.

“It’s the main cause of child casualties in Syria right now and has been for many years, and will continue to be,” with more than 300,000 mines still spread across the country, according to estimates.

The danger affects some five million children living in areas contaminated with the lethal explosives, Mr. Pires said, for whom “every step they take carries the risk of an unimaginable tragedy”.

Renewed displacement has aggravated the danger. Mr. Pires recalled that since 27 November and amid escalating conflict, more than 250,000 children were forced to flee their homes as forces including Hayat Tahrir Al Sham (HTS) advanced on Damascus.

For the displaced and those trying to return home, “the peril of UXO is constant and unavoidable”, he stressed.

The threat has only intensified since the fall of the Assad regime on 8 December, as many weapons, including explosive weapons, have been left behind, in Homs but also in Damascus, Mr. Pires said.

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UNICEF-Pakistan join hands to protect children from climate risk

UNICEF-Pakistan

BAKU: Coordinator to Prime Minister on Climate Change, Romina Khurshid Alam  made a significant commitment on behalf of Pakistani government to join hands with provincial governments to safeguarding its children from the devastating impacts of climate change. “Recognizing the vulnerability of the youngest and most marginalized populations to climate-induced disasters, today we have has pledged … Read more

Toxic air posing severe risk to 11M children in Punjab: UNICEF  

UNICEF  

UNITED NATIONS: The United Nations Children’s Fund, UNICEF, has warned that highly polluted air in Pakistan’s Punjab province is posing severe risks to people, including more than 11 million children under the age of five.

Air pollution levels broke records in the provincial capital, Lahore, and several other districts this past week, surpassing the World Health Organization’s air quality guidelines by more than 100 times, the UN agency reported in a statement issued in Islamabad and New York.

It stated that hundreds of people, including dozens of children, have been hospitalized in hard-hit cities, and the pollution is so severe that it is visible from space.

“As smog continues to persist in Punjab province, I am extremely concerned about the well-being of young children who are forced to breathe polluted, toxic air,” Abdullah Fadil, the UNICEF representative in Pakistan, said in a statement issued in Islamabad.

He called for urgent efforts to reduce air pollution and protect children’s health, noting that even before the record-breaking levels of smog, about 12% of deaths in children under five in Pakistan were attributed to air pollution.

“The impact of this year’s extraordinary smog will take time to assess, but we know that doubling and tripling the amount of pollution in the air will have devastating effects, particularly on children and pregnant women,” Fadil said.

Authorities in Punjab have closed schools in smog-affected districts until mid-November in their bid to protect children from smog, particularly during the morning commute when levels are often at their highest. Additionally, visits to parks, zoos, playgrounds, and other recreational places have been prohibited until November 17 to limit public exposure to air pollution.

The provincial government has made it compulsory for everyone in Lahore to wear a face mask, while 50% of employees must work from home as part of what is dubbed the “green lockdown” in the city. Barbecuing food without filters at restaurants is banned, and wedding halls must close at 10 p.m.

“As a result, the learning of almost 16 million children in Punjab has been disrupted. Pakistan, already in the grips of an education emergency with 26.2 million children out of school, cannot afford more learning losses,” the UNICEF representative said.

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UNICEF appoints Saba Qamar as Children Rights Ambassador in Pakistan

Saba Qamar
  • Saba Qamar is appointed as Child Rights Ambassador in Pakistan.
  • Qamar expressed her gratitude for the role on Instagram.
  • Saba shared photos of her interaction with young girls.

On the International Day of the Girl Child, renowned actor Saba Qamar was appointed as UNICEF’s first National Ambassador for Child Rights in Pakistan.

Qamar conveyed her appreciation for the position, referring to it as an “honour,” and restated her advocacy to continue fighting for children’s rights. She stated, “In my recent travels, I’ve witnessed both the challenges children and women face in this country, as well as the remarkable impact of UNICEF’s dedicated efforts.” The “Kamli” actress underlined how committed she is to assisting kids in achieving their goals.

Saba shared photos on Instagram highlighting her interactions with young girls, noting, “I met some super amazing people this week and had some wonderful experiences. Tons of stories to share!”

She wants to use her platform to advocate for children’s rights and to bring attention to important issues such as child marriage, gender inequality, lack of education, and climate change.

UNICEF data reveals that one in six women in Pakistan are married during childhood, with approximately 19 million child brides in the country. Abdullah Fadil, UNICEF Representative in Pakistan, welcomed Qamar’s appointment, describing her as “a brave and powerful advocate for women’s and girls’ rights.”

He added, “We look forward to collaborating closely [with her] to draw attention to some of the biggest challenges facing children in Pakistan today.”

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UNICEF seeks urgent Mpox vaccine supplies through emergency tender

UNICEF seeks urgent Mpox vaccine supplies through emergency tender

UNICEF, Gavi vaccine alliance, Africa CDC, and WHO collaborate to issue an emergency tender. Agreements for up to 12 million doses through 2025 could be made based on manufacturers’ production capacity. UNICEF will establish conditional supply agreements with vaccine manufacturers. The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), in collaboration with the Gavi vaccine alliance, Africa CDC, … Read more

Sindh strengthens nutrition Initiatives with support from UNICEF, USAID

Sindh

KARACHI: Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah has said that his government has reinforced its commitment to addressing malnutrition and stunting in the province with significant support from UNICEF and USAID.

The CM acknowledged the critical role of international partners in combating the challenges exacerbated by the devastating floods of 2022.

Murad Shah said that UNICEF has been instrumental in supporting the review and approval of the Breastfeeding Act, enhancing humanitarian and multisectoral coordination, and providing vital nutrition services in hard-to-reach areas. “Through outreach teams, UNICEF has facilitated the early detection and treatment of wasting (severe malnutrition) and addressed micronutrient deficiencies,” he said.

He added that UNICEF has provided Ready-to-Use Therapeutic Food (RUTF) to the People’s Primary Healthcare Initiative (PPHI) and other civil society partners, significantly contributing to the fight against malnutrition in Sindh.

The chief minister also acknowledged USAID’s extensive support, particularly its provision of financial assistance to UNICEF for integrated health, nutrition, water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH), and protection services.

It may be noted that USAID supplied 98,500 cartons of RUTF worth $4.4 million or Rs12.2 billion for malnourished children in Sindh.

The CM expressed gratitude to USAID and UNICEF for their continued partnership, which has been pivotal in addressing the health and nutrition needs of women and children in the province. He reiterated his commitment to tackling malnutrition through multisectoral initiatives, community engagement, and social protection programs, supported by substantial financial allocations in its annual development program.

 

Mr Shah praised UNICEF as a strategic partner across various sectors, including health, WASH, child protection, and education. He emphasized the importance of ongoing collaboration to overcome the multiple challenges facing the province.

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PM assures govt’s support to UNICEF for launching projects

PM

ISLAMABAD: Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar assured the government’s full support to the United Nations International Children Emergency Fund (UNICEF) for launching projects of public welfare in Pakistan.

“The government will provide all possible facilities to the UNICEF for launching welfare projects in education, health and other sectors,” he said while talking to the UNICEF’s representative in Pakistan Abdullah Fadil who called on him here.

During the meeting, Abdullah Fadil briefed the prime minister on the steps taken by the UNICEF in various areas of Pakistan.

He told the prime minister that during last five years, around US$1 billion worth of projects had been established in a range of fields including humanitarian aid, clean drinking water, food supply, education, and health under UNICEF in Pakistan.

The prime minister appreciated the UNICEF Pakistan for successfully launching a number of projects of public welfare. Terming UNICEF’s role in anti-polio drive in Pakistan as of special importance, he said a positive change about anti-polio vaccination drive was being seen among the masses due to mutual collaboration of the government of Pakistan and the UNICEF.

He also appreciated UNICEF for taking steps in education sector in Azad Jammu and Kashmir despite intense Indian criticism. He asked Abdullah Fadil to constitute a new and effective strategy to provide education to the out of school children in Pakistan.

He also supported the steps taken by UNICEF for introducing modern technology in the education sector in under developed areas of the country.

“The illiteracy rate in the country can be brought down significantly by helping the students of remote areas getting access to the state of the art information through tablets,” the prime minister added.

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Hamas Leader Condemns Israel for ‘Barbaric Massacres’ in Refugee Camp Strike

Hamas Leader

Hamas’s political leader accuses Israel of causing destruction in Gaza to hide its losses. He also warns that Israeli and foreign captives in Gaza are at risk from the Israeli attack, just like the Palestinian residents. Ismail Haniyeh stated that Israel is doing very cruel and deadly attacks on innocent people. “Its villainy will not … Read more

Afghanistan Shaken by Third Earthquake in a week

Afghanistan Shaken by Third Earthquake in a week

New earthquake hits western Afghanistan after recent deadly tremors. US Geological Survey reports a magnitude 6.3 quake near Herat. Frequent earthquakes in Afghanistan due to its location near tectonic plate boundaries. A new earthquake has struck western Afghanistan, just days after two significant tremors in the region claimed the lives of over 1,000 people. According … Read more

Quetta seminar advocates for Breast Milk Awareness

Breast Milk Awareness

Quetta ۔ A seminar was held in Civil Hospital Quetta on the occasion the International Month of Breast Milk Awareness. The awareness seminar nutrition program was organized with the support of Department of Health Balochistan UNICEF and Directorate Nutrition Cell Balochistan. Director Nutrition Dr. Naeemullah Zarkoon, Deputy Director Owais Tareen, Dr. Abid Provincial Nutrition Manager … Read more

Concerned about families seeking safety in the UK, says Unicef

Unicef

Unicef is “very worried” about the UK’s Illegal Migration Bill. Which puts children’s right to safety and protection under threat. The government should clarify how they will ensure children’s safety and wellbeing. The United Nations Children’s Fund (Unicef), which Rishi Sunak claims will “support” the additional measures unveiled today, has stated that it is “very … Read more

Orlando Bloom talks openly about Katy Perry relationship problems

Orlando Bloom

Bloom told the magazine that Perry, 38, is his “baby mama and life partner,” adding, We’re in two very different pools. Bloom and Perry initially met in 2016 at a Golden Globes after-party. On August 27, 2020, the couple gave birth to a daughter named Daisy Dove. With Katy Perry standing by his side, Orlando … Read more

Earthquake destroyed thousands of homes, UNICEF reports

UNICEF

The earthquake that struck Turkey and Syria has caused thousands of homes to be destroyed. This is the most powerful earthquake in almost 100 years. It comes at the worst possible time for vulnerable children and families. In places devastated by the earthquake that struck Turkey and Syria, thousands of homes have been demolished, according … Read more

PMA expresses concern over warning issued by UNICEF

PMA expresses
  • Dr Ghafoor Shoro said innocent children are facing waterborne diseases.
  • He said mostly children dying of pneumonia and other diseases.
  • PMA leader demanded to government to save the lives of children.

KARACHI: Pakistan Medical Association (PMA) is very much concerned over the warning issued by the UNICEF over the plight of four million children of flood affected areas of Pakistan who are still living near contaminated and stagnant water due to which their lives and health are at risk, even after four months of the declaration of a national state of emergency.

Hon. Secretary General, Pakistan Medical Association (Centre), Dr. Abdul Ghafoor Shoro in his statement , said these innocent children are facing waterborne diseases and are mostly dying of pneumonia. According to UNICEF, the number of children suffering from severe malnutrition has been doubled as compared to 2021 and many of these children are facing life threatening condition and need treatment with ready to use therapeutic food (RUTF).

He said this bleak picture of children’s health at flood affected areas reflects the poor performance of our government.

He demanded the Government to immediately take necessary measures to save the lives and health of our Children.

Earlier, United Nations Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF)urged countries to prioritize both the immediate and longer-term needs of flood-affected children in Pakistan through the provision of principled, sustained, and flexible assistance.

“To provide immediate life-saving support, UNICEF is calling for the international community to urgently provide additional humanitarian assistance, and ensure the timely release of funding to save lives before it is too late.”

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Luke Evans makes red carpet debut with boyfriend Fran Tomas

Luke Evans

2022 comes to a conclusion with Fran Tomas and Luke Evans. Luke Evans makes red carpet debut with boyfriend Fran Tomas. On December 29, the couple looked stunning on the red carpet of the LuisaViaRoma for UNICEF. winter. Luke Evans tells during the event, “I’m really pleased going into the new year, ending the year … Read more

David Beckham always show concern for children living in devastating conditions

david beckham

David Beckham is constantly looking for ways to improve the lives of children around the world. He loaned his Instagram account to a Ukrainian physician so that his fans and followers may gain a better understanding of the situation in the nation. UNICEF has received a donation from Beckham and his wife, Victoria. David Beckham … Read more

UNICEF: Ukraine war pushes 4 million children into poverty

unicef ukraine children

UNICEF: Fighting in Ukraine has pushed an extra four million youngsters into poverty across eastern Europe and Central Asia. Russia accounts for nearly three-quarters of the total increase in the number of children living in poverty. Children from Russia and Ukraine have suffered the hardest since Moscow’s war on its neighbor in February. Monday, the … Read more

Priyanka Chopra shares adorable view with daughter Malti Marie from New York

Priyanka Chopra
  • Malti Marie Chopra Jonas was born via surrogacy to Priyanka Chopra and musician Nick Jonas.
  • She accompanied her mother to the United Nations General Assembly in New York.
  • The actress shared a few photos of herself and Malti on Instagram this week.

Malti Marie Chopra Jonas is the daughter of Bollywood actor Priyanka Chopra. She accompanied her when she attended a meeting at the United Nations General Assembly in New York. Following the pictures she posted of her lunch break with Malti at the UN building in New York, Priyanka has shared more images of the two of them enjoying some time in the city. On Nick Jonas’ birthday, Priyanka Chopra’s BFF shared an unreleased photo with Malti.

On Tuesday, Priyanka shared a few photos of herself and Malti together on Instagram, showing them taking in the scenery of New York City from a window seat. The first image showed Priyanka smiling naturally as she looked at her daughter who was sitting on her lap. In the second image, Priyanka smiled at the camera while still clutching Malti’s hand. The young child was gazing out the window at the New York City streets.

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Pakistani entrepreneurs respond to the occurring catastrophe

pakistani

Large portions of Pakistan were devastated by monsoon floods. However, there were overwhelming disaster relief efforts. Non-profits and dozens of young and old entrepreneurs stepped in. Large portions of Pakistan were devastated by monsoon floods last month, overwhelming disaster relief efforts. However, when their nation faced its worst catastrophe in decades, non-profits and dozens of … Read more