OSRSG/090202-05
New York/Jerusalem, 2 February 2009 - Ms. Radhika Coomaraswamy, Special Representative for Children and Armed Conflict will be visiting the occupied Palestinian territory and Israel from 2 to 6 February 2009.
The objective is to ascertain first hand the situation of children in Gaza and also to visit Southern Israel. The Special Representative will liaise with stakeholders to ensure that children are protected and their needs are addressed in the aftermath of the recent hostilities.
Ms. Coomaraswamy will meet with the Government of Israel, the Palestinian Authority, members of the civil society, NGOs and children affected by the conflict.
The visit is undertaken within the framework of her General Assembly mandate as an independent moral voice and advocate for children in armed conflict.
For more information:
- UNICEF - Marixie Mercado, UNICEF Jerusalem - Mobile: +972 547787604 - mmercado@unicef.org
- UNRWA- Christopher Gunness- +972-(0)2-589-0267 - C.GUNNESS@unrwa.org
- Office of the Special Representative Laurence Gérard Office NY: +1212-963-0984 - Cell: +1347-967-8606- gerardl@un.org - (travelling with Ms. Coomarasawamy)- Luca Solimeo +917-367-3563 - solimeo@un.org (in New York)
Website: www.un.org/children/conflict