Latest news with #PeterHawkins
Hans India
3 days ago
- Health
- Hans India
Yemen launches campaign to vaccinate 1.3 million children against polio resurgence
Aden, July 13: Yemen's internationally recognised government has launched a three-day polio vaccination campaign, as the war-ravaged country is battling a resurgence of the disease, according to local media reports. Nearly 7,000 health teams will administer oral vaccines door-to-door or at health facilities, focusing on 120 high-risk districts, reports Xinhua, quoting the state-run Saba news agency. The drive, targeting 1.35 million children across 12 provinces under the government's control, came as data from the World Health Organization and UNICEF showed that 282 variant polio cases have been reported in the country since 2021, 98 per cent of which in children under the age of 5, with national polio immunisation coverage dropping to 46 per cent in 2023 amid war-disrupted healthcare. "Yemen remains at high risk for poliovirus outbreaks due to protracted conflict, weakened health systems and low routine immunisation coverage," said Acting WHO Representative in Yemen Ferima Coulbibaly-Zerbo in a joint statement issued by the WHO and UNICEF. "With poliovirus continuing to circulate and cases confirmed in 2025, these campaigns are essential to interrupt transmission and protect every child from the debilitating effects of polio," she said. "With confirmed cases of polio among Yemeni children, an imminent threat persists, especially for every unvaccinated child. But, through vaccination, we can keep our children safe," UNICEF Representative to Yemen Peter Hawkins said in the statement. Yemen has been engulfed in conflict since 2014 when Houthi forces seized control of the capital Sanaa and much of the country's north, prompting a Saudi-led coalition to intervene in support of the internationally recognised government in 2015. The conflict has created one of the world's worst humanitarian crises, with millions of Yemenis facing food insecurity and lacking access to basic services. Multiple rounds of peace talks have failed to produce a political settlement.
Yemen Online
26-03-2025
- Health
- Yemen Online
Geneva Palais briefing note on the situation for children in Yemen after 10 years of conflict
This is a summary of what was said by UNICEF Yemen Representative Peter Hawkins – to whom quoted text may be attributed – at today's press briefing at the Palais des Nations in Geneva 'The conflict in Yemen has reached a tragic milestone – over one decade of largely unrelenting conflict, with only brief and fragile periods of reduced hostilities, that has stolen childhoods, shattered futures, and left an entire generation fighting to survive. 'Today, I stand before you not only to share numbers but to amplify the voices of millions of children trapped in one of the world's worst protracted humanitarian crises—a crisis defined by hunger, deprivation, and now, a worrying escalation. '1 in 2 children under five are acutely malnourished. Among them, over 537,000 suffer from severe acute malnutrition (SAM)—a condition that is agonizing, life-threatening, and entirely preventable. Malnutrition weakens immune systems, stunts growth, and robs children of their potential. In Yemen, it is not just a health crisis—it is a death sentence for thousands. 'Equally alarming, 1.4 million pregnant and lactating women are malnourished, perpetuating a vicious cycle of intergenerational suffering. 'This catastrophe is not natural. It is man-made. Over a decade of conflict has decimated Yemen's economy, healthcare system, and infrastructure. Even during periods of reduced violence, the structural consequences of the conflict—especially for children—have remained severe. More than half of the population relies on humanitarian aid to survive. Food prices have soared by 300 per cent since 2015. Critical ports and roads—lifelines for food and medicine—are damaged or blockaded. 'Despite these incredibly difficult and often dangerous operating conditions, UNICEF remains on the ground, delivering for children. 'In 2025, we continue to support 3,200 health facilities, the treatment of 600,000 malnourished children, 70 mobile teams, 42,000 community health workers and 27 therapeutic feeding centres. For this to continue, we need sustained funding. Otherwise, 7.6 million people in Yemen risk not having access to primary health care. Our 2025 appeal is only 25 per cent funded. Without urgent resources, we cannot sustain even the minimal services we are able to provide in the face of growing needs. 'Time is of the essence here because, for those 527,000 children with SAM, every minute counts. A child with SAM is 11 times more likely to die than their healthy peers. Without treatment, they will perish silently. Even those who survive face lifelong consequences—impaired cognitive development, chronic disease, and lost economic potential. This is not just Yemen's loss; it is humanity's failure. 'Last month in Taiz, in the south of Yemen, I met 3-year-old Amina. Her mother walked 12 kilometres in search of a UNICEF nutrition clinic, clutching Amina's skeletal frame. Today, Amina is recovering—but her future hinges on whether we can sustain support. 'This hinges on: 'One: Funding the Response Fully: We need an additional $157 million for our response in 2025. We need sustained investment in fighting all forms of malnutrition, and the diseases, lack of education and other forms of suffering children in Yemen are forced to endure. 'Two: Protecting Humanitarian Access: All parties to the conflict in Yemen must allow unimpeded delivery of aid and allow humanitarians to do what they do best; save lives. We call for the release of detained UN staff and other humanitarian workers. And, importantly, for the conflict to cease. 'Yemen's children cannot wait another decade. They need peace. They need justice. But above all, they need us to act—now. Let us not fail them.'
Jordan News
25-03-2025
- Health
- Jordan News
UNICEF: US Airstrikes in Yemen Killed 8 Children
اضافة اعلان UNICEF in Yemen has reported that recent US airstrikes over the past three days on several Yemeni areas have resulted in the deaths of 8 children and the displacement of residents, particularly in the coastal city of Hawkins, UNICEF's representative in Yemen, shared his observations from Hudaydah, stating: "I was in Hudaydah over the past three days. I passed through the western plains where people are in the streets and on the roadside, begging and looking for help. They have surrendered. I personally saw a heavily damaged building where three children were injured from yesterday's bombing."He further said, "Eight children were killed in the latest airstrikes in northern Yemen. These airstrikes have a direct impact on the people living in the areas surrounding the target zones. We also have staff members affected by this bombing. It is extremely shocking, and as I mentioned earlier, we have verified the deaths of 8 children in these airstrikes."UNICEF: The Humanitarian Crisis in Yemen Is a Death Sentence for Thousands of ChildrenOn another note, Peter Hawkins warned that the ongoing humanitarian crises in Yemen represent "a death sentence for thousands of children," urging the international community to act swiftly and provide an additional $157 million to ensure humanitarian aid for spoke to reporters at the UN in Geneva, saying: "I stand before you today not only to present the numbers but to give voice to millions of children trapped in one of the worst prolonged humanitarian crises in the world—an emergency marked by hunger and deprivation, and now with a concerning escalation."He added that one in every two children under the age of five suffers from severe malnutrition. Among them, over 537,000 children are experiencing severe acute malnutrition, a life-threatening condition that weakens the immune system, stunts growth, and deprives children of their potential. In Yemen, this is not just a health crisis but represents a death sentence for it is concerning that 1.4 million pregnant and breastfeeding women are suffering from malnutrition, perpetuating a cycle of inherited suffering across generations.
Saba Yemen
19-03-2025
- Health
- Saba Yemen
Yemen, UNICEF discuss 2025-2026 work plan, legal support for aid workers
Sana'a - Saba: Foreign Minister Jamal Amer met on Wednesday with UNICEF Resident Representative Peter Hawkins to discuss UNICEF's upcoming work plan for Yemen (2025-2026), with a focus on the health sector. The meeting, attended by Undersecretary Ismail al-Mutawakel, included discussions on various issues of mutual interest. Minister Amer highlighted the Foreign Ministry's establishment of a Legal Support Department within its International Cooperation Sector. This department aims to enhance cooperation with international organizations by providing legal awareness and protecting the rights of their employees. It will also work to resolve disputes between government agencies and international organizations, as well as address grievances from Yemeni employees. Hawkins reaffirmed UNICEF's commitment to providing services in Yemen, particularly in healthcare, education, and nutrition. Whatsapp Telegram Email Print more of (Local)
Yahoo
30-01-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Akkodis Acquires Barhead Solutions, a Microsoft Technology Consultancy
The acquisition marks an important step in Akkodis' strategy to expand its capacity and capabilities across Australia, enhance its Microsoft solution portfolio, and deliver greater value and opportunities to its clients. ZURICH, Jan. 30, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Akkodis, a global digital engineering company and Smart Industry leader, is proud to announce the acquisition of Barhead Solutions, a globally recognized Microsoft Business Applications partner with cross industry expertise based in Australia. This acquisition marks a key step in Akkodis' strategy to expand its national presence, enhance its Microsoft capabilities and deliver greater value and opportunities to its clients. In Australia and globally, Akkodis has pursued a strategy of deepening its expertise in tech practices and consulting solutions in its key markets. This acquisition aligns strongly with this strategy, providing extended expertise in Consulting Services, ICT, Project Delivery and Managed Services. Barhead Solutions brings award-winning expertise and a shared commitment to purpose and excellence. The combination of Akkodis' global capabilities and Barhead's specialized Microsoft expertise unlocks significant opportunities. Akkodis will be positioned to offer clients an expanded range of CRM, ERP, and Low-Code Solutions to complement existing Digital & AI Transformation, Data & Analytics, Application Modernization, Cloud & Infrastructure, Business Applications and world-leading consulting services. Together, Akkodis and Barhead are well positioned to deliver expanded services and solutions that accelerate digital transformation for their clients. "By bringing Barhead into the Akkodis family we are creating an unparalleled powerhouse of Microsoft expertise. This is a significant milestone in our strategic journey and reinforces our commitment and capacity to deliver innovative, scalable solutions to our clients, nationwide," said Peter Hawkins, Managing Director & SVP of Akkodis Australia. "The combination of Barhead and Akkodis offers the market a modern consulting firm servicing Microsoft business apps, data, and AI services. To capitalize on growing demand, we recognized that expanding our capabilities through a strategic partnership was essential. The timing was perfect, and Akkodis is the ideal firm to amplify Barhead's Microsoft partnership." said John Orrock, Co-founder & Head of Capability of Barhead. Ken Struthers, CEO & Co-founder of Barhead added, "Joining Akkodis amplifies our expertise and broadens the outcomes we can deliver for clients, all whilst maintaining our commitment to innovation and personalized customer service." Akkodis sees a very strong cultural fit with Barhead. For example, both teams have long-standing commitments to delivering Tech for Social Impact. In 2022, Akkodis won the global 'Inclusion Changemaker' category for the Microsoft Partner of the Year Award for Social Impact. Barhead won the same prestigious award in 2020 and in 2022 in the 'Community Response' category. Media contacts Anne FriedrichSVP, Global Head of Communications, AkkodisE. Lisa CollinsVP Marketing & Head of Communications Australia, AkkodisE. Lisa BushkaVP, External Communications, AkkodisE. About Akkodis Akkodis is a global digital engineering company and Smart Industry leader. We enable clients to advance in their digital transformation with Consulting, Solutions, Talent, and Academy services. Headquartered in Switzerland and part of the Adecco Group, Akkodis is a trusted tech partner to the world's industries. We co-create and pioneer solutions that help to solve major challenges, from accelerating the clean energy transition and green mobility, to improving user and patient centricity. Empowered by a culture of inclusion and diversity, our 50,000 tech experts across 30 countries combine best-in-class technologies and cross industry knowledge to drive purposeful innovation for a more sustainable tomorrow. We are passionate about Engineering a Smarter Future Together. | LinkedIn | Instagram | Facebook | X About the Adecco Group The Adecco Group is the world's leading talent company. Our purpose is making the future work for everyone. Through our three global business units - Adecco, Akkodis and LHH - across 60 countries, we enable sustainable and lifelong employability for individuals, deliver digital and engineering solutions to power the Smart Industry transformation and empower organisations to optimise their workforces. The Adecco Group leads by example and is committed to an inclusive culture, fostering sustainable employability, and supporting resilient economies and communities. The Adecco Group AG is headquartered in Zurich, Switzerland (ISIN: CH0012138605) and listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange (ADEN). SOURCE Akkodis Sign in to access your portfolio
