Bangladesh. Reaching Out-of-School Children (ROSC) Project. Detailed Procurement Plan & Processing Schedule for Goods & Services 2004-2013. Directorate of Primary Education. Document Date: 2011/11/01.Document Type: Procurement Plan.Report Number:65755.Volume No: 1 of 1
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Showing posts with label children. Show all posts
Showing posts with label children. Show all posts
Thursday, November 24, 2011
Tuesday, November 15, 2011
Children’s Vulnerabilities to Climate Change and Disaster Impacts in East Asia and the Pacific
The living conditions of millions of children across East Asia and the Pacific will be worsened by climate change, says a United Nations report released today, which argues that rising temperatures put children at greater risk of contracting diseases such as cholera and malaria, and natural disasters negatively affect their livelihoods and increase malnutrition rates.
The report, released by the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF), presents an analysis of the potential impacts of climate change on children in East Asia and the Pacific, drawing from five country studies in Indonesia, Kiribati, Mongolia, the Philippines and Vanuatu.
“Higher temperatures have been linked to increased rates of malnutrition, cholera, diarrhoeal disease and vector-borne diseases like dengue and malaria, while children’s underdeveloped immune systems put them at far greater risk of contracting these diseases and succumbing to their complication,” said UNICEF’s Pacific Representative, Isiye Ndombi.
A large number of children in the region already suffer from a lack of access to clean water and proper sanitation, and their situation will only be worsened by climate change, according to the report.
“The findings in this report remind us of the connection between climate change and the other challenges confronting children,” said Anupama Rao Singh, UNICEF Regional Director for East Asia and the Pacific. “They also remind us that children’s experiences, and the risks they face in terms of their health, education and development, are unique.”
One in every four children in the Asia-Pacific region is already underdeveloped due to poor nutrition, and the report suggests that frequent disasters such as flooding, cyclones and droughts could have a long-term negative impact on agricultural production leading to higher food prices and an increase in malnutrition rates.
The report, entitled Children’s Vulnerabilities to Climate Change and Disaster Impacts in East Asia and the Pacific, also presents children’s perceptions and experiences with climate change.
“Children often know more about the climate change issue than their parents or grandparents, because issues about climate change are being taught in school and because children are accessing environmental and other media through electronic communication sources more regularly than their elders are,” said Dr. Ndombi.
In Kiribati, children told researchers that coastal erosion was worsening. In Mongolia, children noted harsher winters and declining water resources. Children in the Philippines spoke of heavier rainy periods, and in Vanuatu they reported increased water contamination from saltwater intrusion.
In addition, children in Indonesia, Mongolia and the Pacific, where 50 per cent of livelihoods depend on agriculture, children reported that climate change has already affected their families’ income, sometimes causing their parents to take them out of school.
“Engaging children in adaptation and disaster reduction strategies will be critical to future success,” said Mr. Singh.
According to UNICEF, evidence demonstrates that when children are educated, informed and involved, they share information with others in their communities and are better able to prepare and protect themselves.
“Children are not passive bystanders and should never be treated simply as helpless victims. They have capacities which form the basis for their active participation in emergency response, preparedness and mitigation. They are effective communicators of risk and drivers of change in their communities,” said Dr. Ndombi
UN News Centre Home.14 November 2011 –
Thursday, November 10, 2011
FDA acts to protect children from illegal tobacco sales
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration sent Warning Letters to more than 1,200
retailers, the majority of which respond to violations relating to selling
tobacco to minors, as part of its ongoing effort to reduce tobacco use among
children.
While most retail establishments inspected by the FDA have been found to be in compliance with the law, some retailers are still selling cigarettes and smokeless tobacco to minors. Warning Letters may be followed by civil money penalties if retailers continue to violate the law.
“It should worry every parent that 20 percent of U.S. high school students smoke cigarettes,” said FDA Commissioner Margaret A. Hamburg. “President Obama and the FDA are committed to preventing children from smoking. For many young people, that first cigarette or use of smokeless tobacco will lead to a lifetime of addiction, and for many, serious disease. More than 80 percent of adult smokers begin smoking before 18 years of age. Retailers are vital partners in the FDA’s efforts to prevent tobacco use among kids.”
President Obama signed the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act that gives the FDA authority to regulate tobacco products to prevent use by minors and reduce the impact on public health. One of the law’s provisions permits the FDA to contract with states and territories to conduct compliance check inspections of tobacco retailers. In 2011, the FDA awarded compliance contracts totaling more than $24 million to 38 states, including the District of Columbia, supporting the creation of at least 266 jobs.
As of today, FDA-commissioned officials have conducted more than 27,500 compliance checks. Retail inspections focus on sale and distribution restrictions, including:
While most retail establishments inspected by the FDA have been found to be in compliance with the law, some retailers are still selling cigarettes and smokeless tobacco to minors. Warning Letters may be followed by civil money penalties if retailers continue to violate the law.
“It should worry every parent that 20 percent of U.S. high school students smoke cigarettes,” said FDA Commissioner Margaret A. Hamburg. “President Obama and the FDA are committed to preventing children from smoking. For many young people, that first cigarette or use of smokeless tobacco will lead to a lifetime of addiction, and for many, serious disease. More than 80 percent of adult smokers begin smoking before 18 years of age. Retailers are vital partners in the FDA’s efforts to prevent tobacco use among kids.”
President Obama signed the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act that gives the FDA authority to regulate tobacco products to prevent use by minors and reduce the impact on public health. One of the law’s provisions permits the FDA to contract with states and territories to conduct compliance check inspections of tobacco retailers. In 2011, the FDA awarded compliance contracts totaling more than $24 million to 38 states, including the District of Columbia, supporting the creation of at least 266 jobs.
As of today, FDA-commissioned officials have conducted more than 27,500 compliance checks. Retail inspections focus on sale and distribution restrictions, including:
- age and ID verification
- requirements for labeling and advertising of smokeless tobacco products
- restrictions on the sale of single cigarettes
- a ban on certain candy and fruit-flavored cigarettes
- prohibited self service displays and vending machines
Full inspection results are posted on the FDA website. The site lists all retailer Warning
Letters and a monthly list of inspected establishments where no violations were
observed.
“Through this program, we are exercising the authority Congress and the President gave to FDA to enforce the youth access and advertising regulations that took effect in June 2010,” said Lawrence R. Deyton, director of FDA’s Center for Tobacco Products. “While we applaud the efforts made by many retail establishments to protect our kids, the fact that our nation’s youth can walk into 1,200 retail locations and still obtain access to these deadly products is 1,200 too many.”
FDA also began inspecting U.S. tobacco product manufacturers in October 2011. This is the first time tobacco product manufacturing facilities have ever been inspected by a federal public health agency. Inspections of tobacco product manufacturing facilities are required to be conducted at least once every two years.
For more information:
“Through this program, we are exercising the authority Congress and the President gave to FDA to enforce the youth access and advertising regulations that took effect in June 2010,” said Lawrence R. Deyton, director of FDA’s Center for Tobacco Products. “While we applaud the efforts made by many retail establishments to protect our kids, the fact that our nation’s youth can walk into 1,200 retail locations and still obtain access to these deadly products is 1,200 too many.”
FDA also began inspecting U.S. tobacco product manufacturers in October 2011. This is the first time tobacco product manufacturing facilities have ever been inspected by a federal public health agency. Inspections of tobacco product manufacturing facilities are required to be conducted at least once every two years.
For more information:
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