Few people may get excited to read weighty, official reports. But UNICEF’s Humanitarian Action for Children 2012 is no ordinary report. Instead, it is a gripping portrait of the devastating toll of disasters all over the world and the unrelenting efforts of UNICEF and others to save those in their path.

In 25 countries, where calamity has unfolded — in the form of floods, famine, violence, and monster storms, to name a few — UNICEF is providing lifesaving assistance and also helping families and communities rebuild and prepare for future challenges. Within the next year alone, according to the report, UNICEF expects to come to the aid of 97 million people threatened by humanitarian crises (that’s more than 12 times the population of New York City). In order to do this, it will need $1.28 billion — not that much money if you consider how much will be spent on average per person.

UNICEF Ambassador Selena Gomez held her 2nd Annual Charity Concert benefitting UNICEF on Friday, January 20, at the House of Blues in West Hollywood, CA. Hosted by Jake Whetter of Radio Disney and joined by special musical guests, Big Time Rush and Noah Guthrie, Selena Gomez & The Scene performed to a sold-out show that raised over $200,000 for UNICEF to provide lifesaving nutrition, clean water, medicine, safety and education to children worldwide. “Giving back has always been important to me. This concert allows me to connect with my fans in person which is one of the best parts of my job and to raise money for important causes at the same time. I can’t think of anything I would enjoy doing more,” Gomez said of the charity concert.

Congratulations to Kristen and Mitali—the Grand prize and the Fan’s Choice winners of the 2012 Pier 1 Imports/UNICEF Greeting Card Contest!

As Grand prize winner Kristen will receive a $5,000 scholarship, and her school will receive $ 500 worth of art supplies. Also her design will be available as an official UNICEF Holiday Card in Pier 1 Imports stores. Mitali as winner of the Fan Choice Award will receive $500 worth of art supplies.

A beloved annual tradition—each fall children from all over the United States are invited to submit their original artwork for an official UNICEF Holiday Greeting Card. The winning design is reproduced as a holiday greeting card available through Pier 1 Imports stores nationwide with 100% of the proceeds going towards helping children in need in 150 countries around the world.

Next week, I will report to you from Haiti. It will be an emotional trip, as I have not been to Haiti since late 2010 when Haitians were still trying to come to terms with the devastation around them. I am looking forward to meeting the children UNICEF is helping, thanks to your generosity post-earthquake.

As always, I plan on giving and receiving lots of hugs and kisses next week, which is the greatest reward anyone who works in service to children could hope for. I will be sharing updates from Haiti at @carylstern on Twitter.

UNICEF Ambassador Selena Gomez is starting off the new year with the ultimate fête – with her 2nd Annual Charity Concert benefitting UNICEF on Friday, January 20, at the House of Blues in West Hollywood, CA! Selena Gomez & The Scene will perform along with surprise musical guests, with profits from the concert benefitting the U.S. Fund for UNICEF to provide lifesaving nutrition, clean water, medicine, safety and education to children worldwide. The best part? The concert sold out immediately after tickets became available last week, meaning a rockin’ good time and a whole lot of support for UNICEF.
For more information visit http://www.selenagomez.com/news/56353

Children stand and watch as volunteers unload large, black plastic boxes from a UNICEF truck at the Child Friendly Space where they come each day to play, learn, and just be kids.

Two years after most of them lost their homes and some, their families, the delivery of these supplies marks the launch of Art in a Bag or ‘bwat Atis’ in Creole – a new art therapy program created by UNICEF to provide displaced and impoverished children with a creative way of healing.