Mr. Peter Power:

I will provide some perspective for the committee and mention UNICEF's work generally in emergencies throughout the world. In 2012, the last reported full year of our activities in this regard, UNICEF provided help in 286 emergencies in 79 countries, covering everything from clean water and sanitation to schooling, nutrition, vaccinations and counselling for those traumatised by conflict and disaster. UNICEF's core commitments for children in humanitarian action constitute UNICEF's central policy on how to uphold the rights of children affected by humanitarian crises. No one is affected more by these crises than children. Statistically, children and women are 14 times more likely to die during one of these disasters than men.

To conclude on a more positive note, tomorrow morning a group of students from the Newpark school in Blackrock will connect with another group of students in the Za'atari refugee camp, Jordan. I am sure that committee members have visited the camp. Tomorrow's event will mark the launch of UNICEF's nationwide youth consultation on the post-2015 millennium development goals, MDG, agenda. My colleague to my left, Ms Nikita White, has co-ordinated the It's About Us! campaign. Tomorrow afternoon, the Tánaiste will formally launch our new set of interactive CSPE resources, which are designed to inform, inspire and enable young people to discuss the world that they want to see after 2015. These classroom discussions will connect with the national and regional consultations on what will replace the MDGs in the post-2015 agenda. The committee has an interest in and input into Ireland's position in the post-2015 discussions. UNICEF is investing in the innovation and creativity of young people in Ireland to create their vision for the future and to build a world fit for all children.

During a visit to Jordan in October, UNICEF met students from Za’atari, notably a young girl called Hanan, aged 16 years. She told us that she would embody the future of her country and that she wanted to rebuild Syria and participate. We must listen to the voices of these children so that they can contribute to peace, tolerance and reconciliation. It is only through this investment in children's future that we can secure a Syria at peace. Only through this investment in children's futures can we protect and rebuild the lives of the children in the Philippines, many of whom have lost their loved ones, their homes and their hope for the future.