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UNICEF warns of severe risks to children amidst South Asia’s heatwave
UNICEF has said that it is deeply concrened about the health and safety of babies and young children caused as a result of severe heatwave that has been engulfing several countries in South Asia. The rising temperatures, that is predicted to reach up to 47°C, pose significant risks to millions of children who are more vulnerable to heat-related illnesses. The Indian Meteorological Department and Pakistan’s Meteorological Department have issued warnings of extreme danger, prompting urgent measures to safeguard the young and vulnerable populations.
According to UNICEF, children are at an increased risk during extreme heat events because they cannot regulate their body temperatures as well as adults. This can cause health related issues such as dehydration, heat strokes, and other severe conditions like rapid heartbeat, cramps, confusion, and even coma. In addition to this, prolonged exposure to high temperatures can adversely affect children’s brain development, potentially causing long-term cognitive issues.
In order to reduce and mitigate these risks, UNICEF has advised parents and caregivers to be vigilent about keeping children hydrated and cool. Experts have recommended use of simple measures such as using ice packs, fans, and spraying water, which can help lower body temperature. For older children, an effective strategy is cold water immersion. In addition to this, loose clothing and frequent checks for symptoms of heat stress, such as, excessive thirst, dry mouth, and dizziness, are extremely important. The organisation has urged parents to seek immediate medical attention if a child is exhibiting severe symptoms like high fever or rapid breathing.
UNICEF also emphasizes the need for health workers to be equipped to identify and treat heat stress symptoms promptly. The organization has provided guidelines to help frontline workers, families, and caregivers recognize and respond to heat-related illnesses efficiently. These steps are vital, especially in regions like South Asia, where a significant percentage of children are exposed to extreme temperatures for extended periods each year.
The implications of rising temperatures extend beyond immediate health concerns. For pregnant women, extreme heat can result in early contractions, preterm births, and even stillbirths. Premature babies are at higher risk of death, underscoring the urgent need for protective measures. South Asia has one of the highest percentages of children exposed to extreme temperatures, with a UNICEF analysis indicating that 76% of children under 18 in the region faced extreme high temperatures in 2020. Furthermore, 28% of these children were exposed to multiple heatwaves annually.
The U.S. Embassy in Colombo welcomed the U.S. Sports Envoys to Sri Lanka, former National Basketball Association (NBA) and Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) players Stephen Howard and Astou Ndiaye, from June 8 through 14.
The Public Diplomacy section of the U.S. Embassy said that it would launch a weeklong basketball program intended to harness the unifying power of sports, made possible through collaboration with Foundation of Goodness and IImpact Hoop Lab.
While in Sri Lanka, Howard and Ndiaye, both retired professional basketball players, will conduct a weeklong program, Hoops for Hope: Bridging Borders through Basketball. The Sports Envoys will lead basketball clinics and exhibition matches and engage in leadership sessions in Colombo and Southern Province for youth aged 14-18 from Northern, Uva, Eastern and Western Provinces, offering skills and leadership training both on and off the court. The U.S. Envoys will also share their expertise with the Sri Lanka Basketball Federation, national coaches, and players, furthering the development of basketball in the country. Beyond the clinics, they will collaborate with Sri Lankan schoolchildren to take part in a community service project in the Colombo area.
“We are so proud to welcome Stephen and Astou as our Sports Envoys to Sri Lanka, to build on the strong people-to-people connections between the United States and Sri Lanka,” said U.S. Ambassador Julie Chung. “The lessons that will be shared by our Sports Envoys – communication, teamwork, resilience, inclusion, and conflict resolution – are essential for leadership development, community building, equality, and peace. The U.S. Sports Envoy program is a testament to our belief that sports can be a powerful tool in promoting peace and unity.”
SJB Colombo District MP Mujibur Rahuman in parliament demanded to know from the government the reasons for CEB suspending the leave of all its employees until further notice from Thursday.
MP Rahuman said that the CEB has got an acting General Manager anew and the latter yesterday morning issued a circular suspending leave of all CEB employees with immediate effect until further notice.
“We demand that Minister Kanchana Wijesekera should explain this to the House. This circular was issued while this debate on the new Electricity Amendment Bill was pending. There are many who oppose this Bill. The Minister must tell parliament the reason for the urge to cancel the leave of CEB employees,” the MP said.However, Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena prevented Minister Wijesekera responding to the query and said that the matter raised by MP Rahuman was not relevant.
The Chartered Institute of Personnel Management (CIPM) successfully concluded the 8th Annual CIPM Symposium, which took place on 31st May 2024. Themed “Nurturing the Human Element—Redefining HRM in a Rapidly Changing World,” the symposium underscored the pivotal role of human resource management (HRM) in today’s dynamic global landscape. Since its inception in 1959, CIPM has been dedicated to advancing the HR profession through education, professional development, and advocacy, solidifying its position as Sri Lanka’s leading professional body for HRM.
Ken Vijayakumar, the President of the CIPM, graced the occasion as the chief guest. The symposium commenced with the welcome address by the Chairperson, Prof. Arosha Adikaram, followed by the Web Launch of the Symposium Proceedings and Abstract Book by the CIPM President. The event featured distinguished addresses, including a speech by Chief Guest Ken Vijayakumar, President of CIPM, and an address by Guest of Honor Shakthi Ranatunga, Chief Operating Officer of MAS Holdings Pvt. Ltd., Sri Lanka.
The symposium also featured an inspiring keynote address by Prof. Mario Fernando, Professor of Management and Director of the Centre for Cross Cultural Management (CCCM) at the University of Wollongong, Australia.
Vote of Thanks of the inauguration session was delivered by Dr. Dillanjani Weeratunga, Symposium Co-chair.
The symposium served as a comprehensive platform for researchers to present their findings across a wide range of critical topics in HRM. These included Cultural Diversity and Inclusion, Talent Development and Retention, Ethical Leadership and Corporate Social Responsibility, Adapting to Technological Advancements, Mental Health and Well-being at Work, Global Workforce Challenges, Employee Empowerment, and Reskilling and Upskilling.
The plenary session was led by Prof. Wasantha Rajapakse. Certificates were awarded to the best paper presenters during the valedictory session, followed by a vote of thanks delivered by Kamani Perera, Manager of Research and Development.
The annual symposium of CIPM was a truly inclusive event, attracting a diverse audience that spanned undergraduates, graduates, working professionals, research scholars and lecturers. This widespread interest highlights the symposium’s significance in the field of HRM, offering a unique opportunity for everyone to network and learn from scholarly brains.The CIPM International Research Symposium was sponsored by Hambantota International Port, Sri Lanka Institute of Information Technology (SLIIT), E B Creasy & Co. PLC, and Print Xcel Company.
US sports envoys to Lanka to champion youth development
Rahuman questions sudden cancellation of leave of CEB employees
