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Forbes
5 days ago
- Forbes
UNICEF Gets Results: A Look Back At Humanitarian Impact In 2024
Meet Seraphin, Shaila, Maribel, Nanvuma and Fatima. They are just a few of the tens of millions of children UNICEF reached last year with lifesaving, life-sustaining support and protection. The 2024 results report is in, and here are some of the highlights. In Amhara Region, Ethiopia, 1-year-old Dagem visits the Shumsheha health center, where he receives his vaccinations. Support from the European Union through the CARE4Health project — which focuses on restoring health facilities affected by conflict and natural disasters — enables children like Dagem to receive the vaccines and care they need to survive and thrive. In the face of relentless conflict, climate emergencies and natural disasters, an estimated 183.5 million children required humanitarian assistance last year. And UNICEF teams around the world responded. Alongside partners, UNICEF reached tens of millions of children and families in 2024 through humanitarian action supporting children's health, nutrition, education and protection, according to its latest results report. As children were forcibly displaced; as they were killed or injured or suffered other grave violations of their rights; as they were left malnourished or without health care, their education disrupted — UNICEF delivered: The totality of this impact was made possible with $3.02 billion in humanitarian funding — voluntary contributions from a range of public- and private-sector partners and supporters that included the kind of flexible funding UNICEF depends on to be able to respond swiftly to unfolding emergencies and to address chronic needs of children in some of the world's most challenging environments. The Power of Unrestricted Giving: How UNICEF leverages flexible resources to drive impact for children Meet some of the children behind these numbers. Seraphin in the Democratic Republic of Congo Seraphin, 10, carries his new UNICEF school bag received at the Bulengo primary school for displaced people in Goma, North Kivu province, DR Congo, on Feb. 28, 2024. Seraphin, 10, fled with his family to escape violence in Nyamitaba and settle in Bulengo. UNICEF, with partner support, facilitated the construction and rehabilitation of 17 temporary classrooms and the distribution of 3,000 school kits at the Bulengo primary school, where Seraphin, who is in his third year of primary school, can now continue his education. "When I fled the war, I had to leave my notebooks behind," he says. "When I arrived in Bulengo, I could attend classes, but I didn't have any supplies to take notes. From now on, I'll finally be able to take notes and revise lessons at home." Shaila in Bangladesh Shaila, with her mother in January 2024, lives in an urban slum in Rajshahi city, Bangladesh, where UNICEF is working with partners to provide clean water and sanitation. Shaila and her family reside in an urban slum in Rajshahi city, home to 200 low-income families. They have long endured living conditions contaminated by foul sewage. The latrine pits, which stored waste, leaked untreated feces and wastewater into drains, eventually contaminating a nearby pond. Climate change-related droughts, floods or cyclones exacerbate the situation, as low-quality latrine pits and septic tanks become inundated or severely damaged, increasing health and safety risks, especially for children. UNICEF supported the construction of a drain in front of the house, while also providing clean water as part of an ongoing initiative to health concerns caused by unsanitary conditions and improve the overall well-being of the children. Now, with cleaner surroundings and access to clean water, Shaila and her elder sister, Ria, can play safely without the risk of falling ill. Maribel in Colombia Maribel, 17, who was permanently injured after stepping on a landmine, stands on the beach in Tumaco, on the Pacific coast in southern Colombia, in March 2024. UNICEF supports survivor recovery and rehabilitation and reached millions of children worldwide last year through explosive ordnance risk education programs. Maribel, 17, lives with her family in Tumaco. She dreams of becoming a lawyer to defend others against injustice. At 16, she faced war head-on: armed confrontations, explosions, crossfire. She stepped on a land mine and lost part of her right leg. Colombia is one of the countries most contaminated by anti-personnel mines in the world, with more than 100 victims per year, 60 percent of them civilians. Many mines have accumulated during years of armed conflict, and new ones appear every day due to the increase in confrontations and new hostilities between armed actors. Learn about how UNICEF protects children from unexploded ordnance and landmines With UNICEF support, Maribel was able to enroll in a local school — taking an acceleration course to make up for lost time — and finished high school in one year. She now hopes to go to university and continue her higher education. "I want to be a lawyer to fight injustice," Maribel says. "But if I can't study for that career because it's difficult to go to university, I want to help other young women like me who have been injured by landmines to get ahead.' Nanvuma in Uganda Nanvuma, 12, participates in a UNICEF-supported life skills course at her primary school in Uganda. Nanvuma, a 12-year-old pupil at Bugoma Primary School in Kikuube district, Uganda, says she has gained confidence and has learned to socialize and make friends both at school and outside school thanks to a life skills course supported by UNICEF in partnership with the Ministry of Education and Sports. The program focuses on helping adolescent girls acquire 21st-century skills that will make them resilient to a range of vulnerabilities, including the risks of teenage pregnancy and gender-based violence. More about how UNICEF helps youth build life skills — and why it matters Fatima in Syria Fatima, 12, holds one of her drawings, at her home in Arbin town, Rural Damascus, Syria on Dec. 1, 2024. Fatima, 12, of Arbin, Rural Damascus, Syria, was born with limb deformities. 'I used to feel overwhelmed speaking to anyone outside my family," she says. "I had never spoken to a large group of people." Connecting with a UNICEF-supported mobile child protection team led her to receive a range of mental health and psychosocial support activities, including drawing lessons — all of which helped her overcome her feelings of isolation and social anxiety. 'I've always dreamed of becoming a painter, and now I feel like I'm taking real steps toward making that dream a reality." In November 2024, the mobile team organized a celebration in Hammorieh village, where Fatima participated and recited poems, receiving a standing ovation. 'For the first time, I truly felt equal to the other children my age,' Fatima said. 'I felt like wings sprouted on my back, and I was flying." For a more detailed look at the humanitarian situation of children in 2024, and how UNICEF engaged with partners at the local, regional and global levels to save lives, protect childhoods and ensure that children's rights were upheld, read the full report: UNICEF's Global Annual Results Report 2024: progress achieved and lessons learned Your unrestricted contribution to UNICEF is more important than ever. Please donate today.
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Yahoo
Vounous Bowl: A 4,000-year-old basin holding 4 miniature cows and 18 people — that was buried for mysterious reasons in a Bronze Age tomb in Cyprus
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. QUICK FACTS Name: Vounous Bowl What it is: Ceramic vessel with complex figural scene inside Where it is from: Bellapais, northern Cyprus When it was made: Circa 2025 to 1850 B.C. Scholars have debated the meaning of the Vounous Bowl for decades since it was discovered in a Bronze Age tomb in northern Cyprus. While the exact purpose of the unusual vessel is unclear, most experts believe it depicts some sort of sacred scene and may have been used in a religious ceremony. Excavations at the site of Vounous-Bellapais in the 1930s revealed dozens of tombs from a large prehistoric cemetery. Although many of the tombs had previously been looted, archaeologists recovered a large number of intricately decorated ceramics, including the Vounous Bowl, which had broken into many pieces over the ages. The Vounous Bowl, which is now in the Cyprus Museum, is shallow with a flat base measuring 14.6 inches (37 centimeters) in diameter and 3.1 inches (8 cm) tall, Louise Steel, an archaeologist at the University of Wales Trinity Saint David, wrote in a 2013 study. Related: Roman dodecahedron: A mysterious 12-sided object that has baffled archaeologists for centuries One side of the bowl has a rough, rectangular hole that likely indicates a doorway. Inside the bowl is a complex scene composed of 18 human figures, four cows in pens and some furniture. Opposite the doorway is a structure with three pillars linked by two cross bars with wavy lines — which may be a shrine — and a human figure kneeling in front of it. Some figures are seated on a bench with their arms crossed, and one figure appears to be wearing a headdress and sitting on a kind of throne. In a 1994 study, Edgar Peltenburg, emeritus professor of archaeology at the University of Edinburgh, suggested that the Vounous Bowl had three distinct scenes inside — including a pastoral scene with the cows; an indication of male power with the individual wearing the headdress; and a representation of the spiritual world with the kneeling figures. Together, these scenes reflected a new, hierarchical social order that was developing at this time. MORE ASTONISHING ARTIFACTS —Penguin Vessel: 1,600-year-old Nazca depiction of a cold-water Humboldt penguin that lives in tropical Peru —Monomachos Crown: The 1,000-year-old crown honoring 'the one who fights alone' found by a farmer in a field —Assyrian swimmers: 2,900-year-old carving of soldiers using inflatable goat skins to cross a river Steel wrote that the Vounous Bowl was likely a means of symbolic communication, created at a time when the quickly growing population began engaging in elaborate communal feasts and elaborate burial rituals. The use of modeled figures to create a scene inside the bowl is extremely rare in prehistoric Cypriot vessels, so the Vounous Bowl was likely special in some way and buried with someone held in high esteem by their community. The Vounous Bowl was made at a time of social transition and rapid cultural innovation, and "almost certainly it was meant to be viewed or displayed in significant ceremonial occasions," Steel wrote. "The Vounous Bowl is just one example of an increased display of symbols within the funerary context."
Time Business News
17-07-2025
- Time Business News
Where Do Almonds Come From? Guide
Almonds are more than just a healthy snack. They're one of the most popular tree nuts in the world, prized for their flavor, versatility, and health benefits. But have you ever stopped to wonder where do almonds come from? Knowing the origin of almonds helps us appreciate the incredible journey this tiny nut has made—from ancient groves in the Middle East to supermarket shelves around the globe. Botanically speaking, almonds aren't actually nuts—they're seeds. They come from the fruit of the almond tree ( Prunus dulcis ), which is closely related to peaches and cherries. If you've ever cracked open a peach pit, you've seen something that looks a lot like an almond inside. Unlike peanuts (which are legumes) or walnuts (which are true nuts), almonds are classified as 'drupes'—fruits with a hard shell and a seed inside. It's this seed that we eat. Almonds have a rich history dating back over 5,000 years. Archaeological evidence suggests they were first domesticated in the Middle East, particularly in areas that are now modern-day Iran, Iraq, Syria, and Turkey. Almonds appear in the Bible and are one of the earliest domesticated fruit trees. They were even found in the tomb of King Tutankhamun, proving their value and status in ancient Egypt. Almond trees are deciduous and require a cold winter to properly bloom. They typically flower in early spring, and the nuts are harvested in late summer. These trees thrive in Mediterranean climates—mild, wet winters and hot, dry summers. Well-drained sandy or loamy soils are ideal for optimal growth. The earliest wild almonds likely grew in the Fertile Crescent, an area known for the birth of agriculture. Over time, farmers selectively bred almonds to remove toxic bitterness from wild varieties. This region played a key role in the spread of almonds, especially along trade routes like the Silk Road and later, via Roman and Greek expansion. Thanks to ancient civilizations and traders, almonds made their way to Greece, Italy, and Spain, where they became deeply ingrained in culinary traditions. Spanish missionaries brought almonds to the New World in the 1700s. While initially unsuccessful in some parts, they found a perfect home in California's Central Valley. The global almond industry is now dominated by: United States (especially California) Spain Iran Australia California produces over 80% of the world's almonds. Its ideal climate, advanced agricultural technology, and vast farmland make it the top choice for large-scale almond farming. Almond harvesting usually takes place from August to October. Farmers use mechanical shakers to shake the trees, causing the nuts to fall to the ground where they dry before being collected. Once harvested, almonds are hulled, shelled, sorted, and sometimes roasted or blanched, depending on their end use. Growing almonds is water-intensive. A single almond takes about 1.1 gallons of water to produce. This has sparked debate, especially in drought-prone California. Environmentalists argue that large-scale almond farming strains ecosystems, but many farmers are adopting water-saving technologies and sustainable practices to counter these issues. Almonds are nutrient powerhouses. They're rich in: Protein Healthy fats Vitamin E Magnesium Fiber They help lower cholesterol, support heart health, aid in weight loss, and even benefit brain function. Sweet almonds are edible and widely cultivated. Bitter almonds contain amygdalin, which can release cyanide and are toxic if eaten raw. Almonds can be eaten raw, roasted, salted, slivered, or turned into products like almond milk, butter, or flour. From Indian sweets like badam halwa to Italian biscotti and French macarons, almonds are a global culinary star. Almond oil is used in skincare, while almond shells are even used for eco-friendly fuel and mulch. Almonds are technically seeds. They are related to peaches and plums. Bees are essential for pollinating almond trees. California almond blooms are the first major crop bloom of spring. Almond trees can live for 20–25 years. Almonds face challenges from climate instability, bee population decline, and shifting consumer demand. Farmers must adapt to survive. Drip irrigation, AI monitoring, and regenerative practices are shaping the future of sustainable almond farming. Eco-conscious consumers are pushing for lower water usage, better pollination practices, and organic farming standards. Almonds have traveled a long and fascinating journey—from ancient groves in the Middle East to high-tech farms in California. Whether you enjoy them in your breakfast smoothie or as a crunchy snack, almonds are a testament to nature's resilience and human innovation. No, almonds originated in the Middle East, but California is now the world's largest producer. Wild almonds are often bitter and toxic, while cultivated almonds are sweet and safe to eat. No, they need a Mediterranean climate with hot, dry summers and mild, wet winters. It takes about 3 to 4 years for an almond tree to start producing nuts. Not raw. Bitter almonds contain cyanide and must be processed to be safe for consumption. TIME BUSINESS NEWS
