HAITI: Fear of the earthquake lives on Photo: Phuong Tran/IRIN children in haiti starving JACMEL, 29 January 2010 (IRIN) – Crowds in Haiti stampede out of buildings at the hint of a tremor; mothers refuse to breastfeed for fear of passing on their depression; people complain of headaches and insomnia. Mental health specialists say... Read more

HAITI: Rebuilding health sector is “long-term challenge” Field hospitals have taken some of the strain. Rebuilding the Haiti health sector is a long term commitment. PORT-AU-PRINCE, 20 January 2010 (IRIN) – As Haiti’s overstretched hospitals struggle to cope with the immediate needs of survivors of the 7.0 magnitude... Read more

HAITI: After emergency funding – recovery DAKAR, 22 January 2010 (IRIN) – Donor governments, individuals and corporations have responded swiftly and generously to the Haiti earthquake, but funding experts are concerned donors will pour resources into emergency relief at the expense of recovery. Photo: Phuong Tran/IRIN Milo... Read more

Haiti Earthquake Kills Children The capital city of Port-au-Prince was struck by an earthquake with a magnitude of 7.0. Some 3 million people are affected, and half of those are children. Officials estimate the death toll could be in the hundreds of thousands. Little Haitian girl died In any disaster, children are the most vulnerable. They are in... Read more

BANGLADESH CHILD LABOR: Putting food on the table – at age 12 Photo: Contributor/IRIN Twelve-year-old Faruque is one of more than 7.4 million children working in Bangladesh today Twelve-year-old Faruque is one of more than 7.4 million children working in Bangladesh today DHAKA, 6 January 2010 (IRIN) – Child labour in Bangladesh... Read more

PAKISTAN: Warning over maternal, infant mortality goals KARACHI, 30 December 2009 (IRIN) – With just five years left until the 2015 UN Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) deadline, health care professionals have warned that the country is unlikely to reach its targets for goals four and five, child health and maternal health. Malnutrition,... Read more

AFGHANISTAN: 2009 worst year for children – rights watchdog KABUL, 6 January 2010 (IRIN) – Armed conflict killed hundreds of children and adversely affected many others in 2009 – the deadliest year for Afghan children since 2001 – an Afghan human rights group has said. About 1,050 children died in suicide attacks, roadside... Read more

INDONESIA: Waiting for permanent homes BANDA ACEH, 24 December 2009 (IRIN) – Ani was preparing breakfast on a Sunday morning five years ago when she heard a loud roaring noise after a massive earthquake. She fled to the hills with her husband and four children, unaware that within minutes their rented home would be swept away. Nobody... Read more

SOMALIA: Concern over deteriorating food security in Somaliland Food security concerns. Killed by the drought - agropastoralists can no longer depend on their animals for meat and milk. Photo: IRIN ALLAYBADAY, 8 January 2010 (IRIN) – Low agricultural production, caused by poor rainfall last year in Somalia’s self-declared republic... Read more

YEMEN: IDPs beyond the reach of aid agencies Humanitarian need in Yemen. According to UNHCR, the number of IDPs continue to increase as a result of ongoing fighting in Saada and Amran governorates Photo: Adel Yahya/IRIN SANAA, 12 January 2010 (IRIN) – Thousands of internally displaced persons (IDPs) in the northern Yemeni governorate... Read more