Numbers misleading on Haitian displaced
Some 800,000 of an estimated 1.5 million displaced Haitians have moved out of makeshift camps and tent cities since last year’s devastating earthquake, but most — up to 95% — of those who have left continue to live with relatives or in dilapidated, damaged or partially-collapsed housing. Most were forced out the camps by landowners or simply fled in order to escape crime and deteriorating conditions.
World Bank in new loan for Pakistani polio fight
An additional loan of $41 million has been approved by the World Bank for the polio vaccination program in Pakistan in order to enable the government to immunize 32 million children against the disease. The country has seen a spike in the number of polio cases since last year’s floods and continued fighting against Taliban insurgents.
36 Child Laborers Rescued in Delhi
Three separate raids in Delhi on Monday ended in 36 child laborers rescued. The raids rescued 13 children a factory in New Seelampur in northeast Delhi, 15 from the Khureji Khas area of east Delhi, and eight children from factories at Ghonda chowk in northeast Delhi. The children were forced into bonded labour in embroidery and producing bakery products. Four traffickers were arrested and 11 factories seal by police.
UN Envoy for Malaria, Ray Chambers, honored by TIME
Ray Chambers, co-founder of the nonprofit group Malaria No More and the UN’s Special Envoy for Malaria, has been honored by TIME magazine as one of the 100 most influential people in the world because of his work, which includes distributing anti-malaria mosquito nets aimed at ending deaths in Africa due to the disease by 2015. “I have encountered heroes working to end this epidemic, and my friend Ray is one of the best,” actress Ashley Judd writes of Chambers. Click here for a statement congratulating Chambers from United Nations Foundation President Timothy E. Wirth.
Measles on rise in Europe because of vaccination fears
The World Health Organization is reporting a major outbreak of measles in Europe as a result of declining levels of immunization. Fears that the measles vaccine could also lead to autism are responsible, according to WHO.
Earth Day backs small acts for big changes
Earth Day organizers are calling on supporters to conduct “A Billion Acts of Green” today to raise public awareness about the environment and efforts to clean it up. This year’s campaign is urging individuals to sign up online and pledge to make a small personal change like reducing usage of toxic chemicals to promote sustainability.
WFP cashes in on snacking to nourish kids
The World Food Program has already raised enough money to feed 100,000 children through its new social-networking website, wefeedback, which tells potential donors how many children can be fed for the price of their favorite foods. Contributors in the United States are “feeding back” the most sushi, while participants in Montenegro are feeding back the most pizza.
Trinidad and Tobago Establish Stiffer Penelties against Child Trafficking
The Trinidad and Tobago government has tabled new legislation imposing harsher penalties for persons found guilty of child trafficking. National Security Minister Brigadier John Sandy piloting the Trafficking of Persons Bill on Friday said that the near one-year-old People’s Partnership coalition would not turn a blind eye to those involved in trafficking of persons. “We know of instances where women are brought from the South American mainland to Trinidad and Tobago. They are offered jobs and when they get on broad the vessel, their passports are taken away from them and they never see them again,” said John Sandy.
