Fieldnotes: Blogging on UNICEF's child survival work in the field

Thanksgiving is a time for Americans to sit back with family and friends and consider what we are thankful for this year. Here at the U.S. Fund for UNICEF we are most thankful for the help we receive from our dedicated donors and volunteers.

We know there are so many priorities, so many requests for your time and financial resources. Thank you for working with us to help the world's children.

Speaking of pressing priorities, I wanted to make sure you saw Nicholas Kristof's op-ed and video from Sunday's New York Times. A reader, surely feeling pressed for time and money as the bustle of the holiday season begins, wrote Kristof. She suggested that it would be better to assist local charities rather than continuing with relief efforts in Darfur. "We have plenty of needs to be filled at home," she said.

In response, Kristof introduces us to Halima Abdelkarim. Her story is alarming and shows that while -- yes, there are pressing local and national needs that need our attention and support -- UNICEF's work in Darfur must continue. We believe many Americans can help both at home and in places that need our attention across the world.

There is some news from Sudan that we can all be grateful for. Kristof says, "In the last few days, Sudan has bowed to outside pressure and reluctantly agreed in principle to accept some U.N. peacekeepers in Darfur. That’s a reminder that pressure can work, but we haven’t applied nearly enough. For the peacekeepers to save lives and the killings to stop, much greater effort will be essential."

Happy Thanksgiving. We are so thankful for your support of our work.