Part of the observance of Ramadan is to build a culture of compassion. In that spirit it is important to learn about others in need and how they may be helped. UNICEF’s Division of Communication has introduced two interactive tools to engage a wide audience in the global conversation on child survival and child rights. UNICEF Newsmap and Text Us are the latest in a series of new-media platforms —- including vodcasts, podcasts, RSS feeds and digital video distribution services —- that UNICEF is using to heighten public awareness of its lifesaving mission.

The communication innovation, Text Us, allows people around the world to send comments to UNICEF via their mobile devices. After viewing www.unicef.org/textus/index.php , visitors are asked to send comments on a specific topic by using SMS messages, and incoming messages are posted on the site. The inaugural Text Us topic is climate change and its impact on women and children. Send your thoughts about this topic, as well as upcoming questions, by texting UNICEF at 001-917-402-8172. Standard SMS fees to the USA apply.

Also newly launched on the global website is UNICEF Newsmap (www.unicef.org/infobycountry/maps/index.php ). This is a Google Maps interface that provides users with an alternative navigation method to find multimedia news stories about UNICEF’s programs. Within UNICEF Newsmap, an interactive Google map visually displays news stories, videos and audio pieces produced by UNICEF communication teams in more than 150 developing countries. Video and audio reports can be played directly from the map, which also has links to Web pages with the complete news stories. To enhance the experience, UNICEF Newsmap offers the full range of Google Maps features — including zooming, panning and satellite mode. The stories are divided into the categories: Emergencies, Education, HIV, Child Survival and Child Rights.

Unfortunately, the stories illustrate the desperate situations facing many families in the Middle East. UNICEF’s report, “The State of the World’s Children 2008,” (www.unicef.org/sowc08/report/report.php) shows that the Middle East and North Africa Region is falling behind in The Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). These are eight goals to be achieved by 2015 that respond to the world’s main development challenges. Not reaching these goals means that more children in the region will die, be illiterate or be disempowered than young people in other geographies.