children

Launch of multi-media competition: Why reading matters

The campaign includes the launch of a multi-media competition today which is open to children up to 16 years old from SPC member countries.

Literacy and numeracy skills provide a foundation for future generations to succeed at school and in life. The campaign, led by SPC’s Educational Quality and Assessment Programme aims to highlight how reading skills are of use in so many aspects of life beyond the classroom.

Honey can be used as temporary cough relief for children

And while most children are more than happy with this treatment, is there any evidence to suggest this approach works?

Both the World Health Organisation and American Academy of Pediatrics both recommend honey to help calm a cough.

Dr Ronald McCoy, from the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners, says there is some research showing a spoonful of honey every few hours can reduce irritation in little throats.

You Could Be The Reason Your Child Is Sick

1.    There is no safe level of secondhand smoke; even brief exposure can be harmful to the health of adults and children. (World Health Organization. 2016. Tobacco Fact Sheet. Number 339. Available online: http:// www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs339/en/)

Children will bear the brunt of climate change – UNICEF report

The UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) said this in a report released ahead of the 21st United Nations climate change conference, known as COP21.

According to the agency, of the 530 million children in the flood-prone zones, some 300 million live in countries where more than half the population lives in poverty – on less than $3.10 a day. Of those living in high drought severity areas, 50 million are in countries where more than half the population lives in poverty.

UNICEF: Climate change big threat to children

The organisation issued the warning to mark Universal Children's Day om Friday.

It says climate change is exacerbating and speeding up already existing challenges in low-lying countries such as Kiribati, Tuvalu and the Marshall Islands.

UNICEF says this threatens to undo development gains made over decades.

UN launches $25 billion strategy to end preventable deaths of mothers and children

An initial commitments of more than $25 billion for the next five years to provide life-saving treatments, from immunizations to perinatal care.

The Global Strategy for Women’s, Children’s and Adolescents’ Health includes new policies and ground-breaking partnerships from 40 countries and over 100 international organizations, philanthropic foundations, UN agencies, civil society and the private sector.