December 2010 CHILDREN CELEBRATE CHILD RIGHTS In brief ...... …1 Overview:Situation of Children ...... 1 Evidence and policy development ...... 2 Institutional building ...... …3 Reaching vulnerable children and women ...... 3 Feature: Clinic brings care to those in need ...... …5

In brief  On 2 December, in commemorating the International Day of Solidarity with the

Palestinian people and the Convention on the ©UNICEF-oPt/2010/El Baba Rights of the Child (CRC), UNICEF and the Popular UNICEF and its partners supported a range of activities in Arts Centre carried out a dance performance in commemoration of the CRC, and the International Day of Solidarity with Jenin Refugee camp targeting 400 children. the Palestinian People. To view the story and video, please visit: http://www.unicef.org/infobycountry/oPt_57157.html  The Ministry of Youth and Sports (MoYS), UNICEF and partners held a national campaign, entitled Learning achievements also show signs of ‘towards a safe learning environment’. Over deterioration for almost 1.2 million students enrolled 15,000 adolescents participated with various in schools across oPt. In the , during the second semester of 2010, almost 67 per cent and recreational and educational activities across the only 43 per cent of fourth grade students passed their occupied Palestinian territory (oPt). and mathematics exams respectively, while in This monthly update highlights the overall situation of Gaza, during the same semester, only 59 per cent children; provides a brief on policy development and and 47 per cent of fourth grade students passed their delivery for children. Arabic and mathematics exams respectively.

Overview: Situation of children UNICEF works with a wide range of partners, including the Palestinian Authority (PA), NGOs and In 2010, there has been some progress towards UN agencies, to mitigate the impact of the occupation achieving children„s rights, however, 1.9 million and intra-Palestinian division on children, and to children across the oPt continue to suffer from the prevent further deterioration in their well being. impact of occupation and intra-Palestinian division. In oPt, UNICEF works to improve quality of early While the number of child deaths according to the childhood care and development services and Monitoring and Reporting Mechanism, has dropped primary education; advance access to and quality of drastically in 2010, from over 300 children killed in health and nutrition services; upgrade water and 2009 down to 10 children killed in 2010, children sanitation services for most vulnerable children and continue to face threats of poverty, low learning families; build a protective environment for children achievement, and continued movement restrictions. and provide adolescents with opportunities for constructive participation towards nation building. In 2010, and according to the Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics (PCBS), almost 22 per cent of Evidence and policy development are living below the poverty line across oPt (15.5 per cent in West Bank and 33.2 per cent in The data collection of the PCBS, UNFPA and Gaza). The number of families living in deep poverty UNICEF Palestinian Family survey (PFS), using the stands at 12 per cent (7.5 per cent in West Bank and Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS) 20 per cent in Gaza), subjecting 430,000 children to methodology, has been finalised. The survey results, vulnerabilities of poverty. According to the National which are expected to be completed by end January Insurance Institute of Israel, poverty rate among 2011, will show trends in child, adolescent and Palestinians in East Jerusalem has increased from 59 women well-being since the third MICS in 2006 and per cent in 2008 to 71.2 in 2009, which calls for will provide baseline data on children and women that urgent action. supports national planning and guides the 2011-2013 programme for children and women.

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To improve quality of child nutrition services, and in partnership with the US-based Centre for Disease CHILDREN IN 2010 Control and Prevention (CDC), UNICEF supported ©UNICEF-oPt/2010/El Baba the Ministry of Health (MoH) to undertake an assessment of its national nutrition surveillance system, which will strengthen the administrative data of the ministry.

UNICEF supported the Ministry of Education and Higher Education (MoEHE) in carrying out a survey on early childhood care and development (ECD) in Gaza that guides the planned ECD policy framework. The ECD survey results showed that learning environment is poor within kindergartens, with high student-teacher ratio; minimum use of interactive learning approaches; limited training opportunities; and insufficient WASH facilities.

In Partnership with A.M. Qattan Foundation, UNICEF Gaza. Palestinian children performing an operetta in commemoration of supported a qualitative study to analyse the causes of the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People and the 21st anniversary of the CRC. low achievement among students, and the outcome of the study will be utilised to guide programming in ©UNICEF-oPt/2010/Izhiman lowest performing schools. The study covered six schools in Ramallah and Hebron districts.

In partnership with Columbia University, UNICEF supported a first of its kind inter-agency evaluation of psychosocial interventions, involving more than 35 institutions. The evaluation served to build an evidence base for effective psychosocial programming in oPt‟s complex environment.

A knowledge, attitude, practices and behaviours (KAPB) on healthy lifestyle including smoking, substance abuse and HIV/AIDS was carried out. The KAPB survey will guide in planning initiatives in support of positive behavioural change. Khan El Ahmar, of the West Bank. Nayfeh, 7, participating in an Arabic class at Khan El Ahmar school, which received a demolition order At the policy level, UNICEF supported the by the Israeli Civil Administration. development of a national child protection strategy and action plan; the piloting of the non-violence school policy; and the harmonisation of an in-school ©UNICEF-oPt/2010/Azar referral protocol.

In partnership with UNFPA and UNDP, UNICEF supported the Ministry of Youth and Sports (MoYS) in developing a national youth strategy to improve the quality of programmes and services targeting adolescents and youth, and enhances their positive participation in their communities.

To improve national water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) management, UNICEF supported the Palestinian Water Authority (PWA) in finalising a water quality surveillance plan. To guide policy development, UNICEF also supported the Coastal Municipal Water Utility (CMWU) and PWA databases. Old city Jerusalem. Ahmed Hamu, 17, playing table tennis at UNICEF- supported Burj Al Luq Luq Adolescent Friendly Space. In partnership with a coalition of 11 Israeli, Palestinian and international organisations, UNICEF supported the development of a 1612 database. The database

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provides updated information on killing / maiming; recruitment or use of child soldiers; attacks against ADVOCACY FOR CHILDREN schools and hospitals; and denial of humanitarian access; on arrest and detention; ill-treatment and torture; displacement, sexual violence and abduction, which enabled the group to submit six bi-monthly advocacy reports - „Global Horizontal Note‟, on grave violations against children to the UN Secretary General Special Representative on Children and Armed Conflict (UNSG SRCAAC).

Institutional building

In support of national institutional building that is in th line with the PA‟s 13 Government programme, ©UNICEF-oPt/2010/Izhiman UNICEF supported MoH in training 90 health Ramallah, West Bank. In commemorating the CRC ‘Barem El Funoun’ professionals on „integrated management of Dabkeh dance troupe performing at Ramallah Cultural Palace. UNICEF- childhood illnesses‟, which is a comprehensive child‟s oPt Special Representative, Jean Gough addressed the audience. To health and nutrition package; built the capacity of 160 read more, please visit: http://www.unicef.org/oPt/media_6321.html health workers on exclusive breastfeeding counselling; and trained 60 health workers on the In partnership with Maan Development Centre, maternal and child nutrition protocol. Tamer, Al Nayzak for Extracurricular Activities, the National Committee on Summer Camps and MoYS, In partnership with MoEHE, and in trying to improve UNICEF supported a national campaign that kicked learning outcomes, UNICEF built the capacity of more off the International Year of Youth, with the than 750 caregivers and 30 principals and participation of more than 25,000 adolescents, and supervisors on ECD in support of the ECD policy supported adolescent-led initiatives, including framework and supported training of 2,000 research and campaigns. mathematics and science teachers on the use of mathematics and science kits in support of the national teacher education strategy. UNICEF Reaching vulnerable children and supported training of 120 teachers and 190 principals on „child-friendly school‟ principles. women

To promote hygiene practices and safe water UNICEF targeted 100 lowest performing schools by handling, UNICEF trained more than 16,000 students providing more than 21,000 students with remedial and 500 teachers on hygiene practices, and carried classes in Arabic and mathematics, which resulted in out awareness raising campaigns on the importance a 10 per cent improvement in test results of Gaza of safe water handling. students. During the summer, UNICEF supported „learning through enjoyment‟ initiative by providing up As part of the ongoing work in mental health and to 78 hours of remedial classes in Arabic and psychosocial support, UNICEF convened several mathematics, along with 48 hours of sports and workshops to build the capacity of its partners in recreational activities, for 22,500 students across oPt. monitoring and evaluation (M&E), to further develop the M&E tools that are in accordance with the To increase water availability, UNICEF supported the outcome of the interagency psychosocial evaluation. rehabilitation of water and sewage networks, including the installation of a pump, benefiting 4,870 In partnership with Al Mezan institute and MoEHE, families and rehabilitated, and / or constructed WASH UNICEF trained 70 religious leaders and more than facilities in 74 schools (42 in West Bank and 32 in 950 adolescents and peer educators on HIV Gaza), targeting more than 40,000 students. prevention and healthy lifestyle, and held advocacy workshops targeting more than 1,250 parents. In Gaza and in partnership with Save the Children Sweden and local community based organisations, UNICEF and the Palestinian Family Planning and UNICEF supports 20 family centres, which provide a Protection (PFPPA) carried out training of trainers for broad spectrum of activities for children and their 61 MoEHE and UNRWA teachers, and held three caregivers who can come together for psychosocial advocacy workshops on HIV prevention and stigma care. On a monthly basis, an average of 360 children reduction targeting youth leaders. and 180 caregivers benefitted from the services of each family centre.

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To reinforce a protective environment for children, and in response to violations against children, the 16 CHILDREN IN 2010 UNICEF-supported psychosocial teams (11 in West Bank and five in Gaza) provide ongoing psychosocial ©UNICEF-oPt/2010/El Baba support to children and their caregivers, through group, individual or peer to peer counselling; emergency assistance and non-formal education. Since the beginning of the year, 27,000 children and 20,000 caregivers participated in sessions that aimed at strengthening their coping mechanisms.

To help meet a severe gap in quality after-school learning and recreational programmes for adolescents, UNICEF supported 100 adolescent- friendly spaces (AFS) (60 in West Bank, 40 in Gaza) with educational and recreational activities reaching more than 65,000 adolescents. The AFS provide adolescents at risk of dropping out of school with Gaza. Young children campaigning, calling for an end to violence against support in keeping up; and equips them with critical children. life skills such conflict resolution, communication skills; and activities such as arts, music, and sports. ©UNICEF-oPt/2010/Azar UNICEF-supported cluster leadership in the WASH and education sectors coordinating over 60 organisation and also leads the Child Protection and Mental Health and Psychosocial Support sub-sectors, coordinating over 70 members.

As part of the WASH Cluster, UNICEF carried out three-day training on coordinating humanitarian action, and WASH monitoring and evaluation targeting 60 porfessionals. In Partnership with Gruppo Volontariato Civile, UNICEF carried out a mapping exercise of WASH vulernability in the Jordan valley. The results of the mapping exercise, along with other studies were used in the WASH cluster assessment of water availability, quality, and affordability including sanitation facilities. Ramallah. Adolescents during the exhibit of the Young Researchers’ Initiative.

Together with the agricultural section, the WASH Cluster carried out a water scarcity workshop to ©UNICEF-oPt/2010/El Baba develop a water scarcity response plan.

Supplies included the provision of 18 incubators to MoH neonatal units; the procurement of vaccines and vaccine related supplies in support of the MoH vaccination week reaching more than 16,000 children; the delivery of laboratory kits for diagnosis and monitoring of preventable diseases; the provision of ECD kits to 50 kindergartens; and printing of 60,000 child health files for record keeping.

UNICEF expresses deep gratitude and appreciation to the donor community, whose funding enabled us to fulfil our duties and obligations to children in advancing their rights. Sincere appreciation goes to our partners in Government, NGOs, INGOS, civil Rafah, Gaza. Adolescents engaged in sports activities. society organisations, and UN agencies, whose commitment, inspiration and dedication, enabled us to make a difference in children’s lives.

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FEATURE: Clinic brings care to IMMUNISATION – A success story those in need

Hableh, West Bank, 17 December 2010 - The Hableh Government clinic is humming with activity. Today the clinic‟s paediatrician is immunizing children, and the benches are lined with women holding children in one hand and a „Mother and Child Handbook‟ – a child‟s health, including an immunisation tracking booklet, in the other.

Nurse Aisheh Odeh moves from room to room, choreographing general, prenatal and paediatric care provided to some 75 patients daily. “I studied to be a midwife because I felt that women were not getting the care they needed in the intifada,” she explains. “Many women were giving birth at military ©UNICEF-oPt/2010/El Baba checkpoints and at home.” A Palestinian child being immunised against Polio, as part of the Ministry of Health routine immunisation programme. Here at the clinic, mothers bring their children to the Ministry of Health free immunisation programme children across oPt. They have used all supported by UNICEF and funded by the Japanese communication channels in order to reach the Government. unreached and to sustain the high immunisation coverage. “Since the Palestinian Authority was established in 1994, UNICEF has been working with the Ministry of „For most vulnerable groups of children in hard to Health for the provision of vaccines, cold chain reach areas, we use mobile clinics to reach these equipment,” says Douglas G. Higgins, Deputy Special communities as well as traditional channels of Representative for UNICEF-oPt. communication, which proved to be successful. We use to call upon mothers to bring their Across oPt, the Government of Japan has been children to the clinic for immunisation,‟ said Dr. Asad influential in supporting the mother and child health in Ramlawi, Director General, Ministry of Health. general, and the immunisation programme in specific. Access to care “First of all, our priority in the health sector in is child and mother health care because we In 2010, Hableh clinic oversaw 172 pregnancies, 32 believe that a secure life is the basis for society,” says of them high risk. A small laboratory does basic tests Naofumi Hashimoto, Head of the Japanese for patients, and some medicines are dispensed by Representative office to the Palestinian Authority. the clinic. Two nurses and a general practitioner serve patients here daily, while a paediatrician and Immunisation – a success story dermatologist see patients certain days of the week.

Starting in 2009, the Ministry of Health, for the first The clinic serves not only the residents of Hableh, but time since the current uprising in 2000, covered the the surrounding villages, all of which – like the city of cost of vaccines for all its children from its national – are affected by the Barrier that Israel has budget. However, UNICEF continued to provide constructed in the West Bank. procurement support services to the Ministry that includes logistics; clearance; storage and delivery of Subhiya Hassan, a resident of a nearby village of Ras vaccines and vaccine related supplies. Atiya, is thrilled by the services provided by Hableh clinic. While cradling her two-month-old son, Hassan, “The immunisation programme has been a preparing him to receive his vaccinations, she says particularly strong success story within the Palestinian „they are excellent.‟ Subhiya, a mother of five children territory, with immunization coverage beyond 95 per says the twice-weekly clinic in her own village of Ras cent, which is higher than any other neighbouring Attiyeh is insufficient. countries in the Middle East and North Africa,” added Higgins. “The doctor comes for two hours twice a week,” she says. “If a baby gets ill during the week then we have The Ministry of Health Public Health Department is to come to Hableh. This is a big problem for us.” highly committed to continuously improving the immunisation services for all refugee and non-refugee

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