MEDIA ADVISORY

UNICEF SUPPORTS COUNTRY LAUNCH OF GLOBAL REPORT ON CHILD

INJURY

WHO: Representatives of Ministry of Health, Injury Control Center-Uganda (ICC-U), World Health
Organization (WHO) and United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF)

WHAT: National launch of World Report on Child Injury Prevention

WHEN: Friday, 11 December 2009 / 16.00 – 18.30hrs

WHERE: Fairway Hotel, Kampala

WHY: According to the ICC-U, child injuries constitute approximately 28% of all injuries seen in
hospitals in Uganda, with most of them unintentional, accidental and preventable.
Boys (65%) are more injured than girls. In the past decade, injuries from traffic
accidents, falls and burns have significantly outnumbered poisoning, drowning and
violence. The 15-29 years age bracket has been the most affected by road traffic
injuries. Scalds have been the most common form of burn injuries affecting
children under age 5. Over 50% of all injuries among children occur in the home,
followed by the road and schools.

Between January and September this year, road traffic accidents were responsible
for 1,155 child injuries and 340 child deaths (an average 9 children dying on the
road every week).

The World Report on Child Injury Prevention is the first global report to address
unintentional or accidental child injuries. The report was produced with the
support of WHO and UNICEF, and complements the UN Secretary-General’s study
on violence against children (2006). Both reports suggest that child injury and
violence prevention is a neglected public health issue which needs to be urgently
addressed.

The World Report on Child Injury Prevention is backed by the landmark Convention
on the Rights of the Child (CRC), also ratified by Uganda, which states that all
children have a right to a safe environment and to protection from harm/injury and
abuse/violence.

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About UNICEF in Uganda:

UNICEF is on the ground in over 150 countries and territories to help children survive and thrive, from early
childhood through adolescence. The world’s largest provider of vaccines for developing countries, UNICEF
supports child health and nutrition, safe water and sanitation, quality basic education for all boys and girls, and the
protection of children from violence, exploitation, and AIDS. UNICEF is funded entirely by the voluntary
contributions of individuals, businesses, foundations and governments.

For more information, please contact:

Lovisa Chrispin, Programme Officer, ICC-U, 0414 543 438, iccu@infocom.co.ug
Chulho Hyun, UNICEF Media, Kampala, 0717 171 110, chyun@unicef.org