UNICEF chief visits earthquake victims in Dominican Republic

The head of the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), Ann Veneman, spent two days in the Dominican Republic visiting Haitian earthquake victims following a trip to Haiti last Thursday, according to a UNICEF press release issued here Monday.

"Veneman heard countless stories of heartbreak, but heroic stories of compassion," the UNICEF press release said.

Included in her trip was a visit to a residential care center in the capital city of Santo Domingo, which takes in Haitian children and their family members once they have been released from the hospital, the UNICEF press release said.

Last Thursday, she helped launched a massive immunization campaign which sought to vaccinate 2.5 million Haitians.

Venemen met with Dominican Republic President Leonel Antonio Fernandez and Foreign Minister Carlos Morales Troncoso where she " praised the work of the Dominican Republic government in assisting Haiti since the earthquake," said the press release.

"They also discussed the importance of continued cooperation and coordination to ensure Haitian children are receiving care and the protection they need, particularly during this vulnerable period," said the press release.

According to UNICEF, an estimated 38 percent of the population of Haiti is under the age of 15, which Veneman has declared a " children's emergency."

"In the aftermath of any disaster, children without parental or other family care are especially vulnerable," the UNICEF press release said.

Source: Xinhua