UNICEF UK
UNICEF, the United Nations Children's Fund (formerly known as the United Nations' International Children's Emergency Fund), is the world's leading organisation focusing on children and child rights, with a presence in more than 190 countries and territories. They work with communities, partners and governments to ensure every child's rights to survive and thrive are upheld.
UNICEF is the only organisation specifically named in the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child as a source of expert assistance and advice on which governments can call. They are responsible for holding governments to account for the rights of children.
UNICEF United Kingdom raises funds for UNICEF’s emergency and development work around the world. In 2008 they raised £42.9 million for UNICEF’s work with children worldwide.
Pakistan Floods
UNICEF has appealed for £300 million to fund its relief operation for the millions hit by flooding in Pakistan, including an estimated 1.4 million children. Pakistan is facing the worst flooding in more than 80 years. Heavy monsoon rains have affected close to four million people across the country.
"UNICEF is ramping up its relief operation for the millions of people affected by the flooding in Pakistan. Many of those are children who are especially vulnerable to disease and the present harsh conditions. They need water, medicine, food and shelter urgently. Our immediate priority is to reach all those hit by the flooding especially those in the most remote areas," said Martin Mogwanja, UNICEF Representative in Pakistan.
The UNICEF relief operation will concentrate on the critical areas of water and sanitation, health, nutrition, education and child protection. The largest part of the operation is the provision of water and sanitation systems to head off the outbreak of diseases such as diarrhoea and cholera, especially deadly to children. UNICEF is already providing clean drinking water to over half a million people and will bring in emergency food rations and emergency health kits.
The flooding has caused widespread destruction of infrastructure with roads submerged and bridges swept away. Power lines are down and many hospitals, schools and sanitation systems have been severely damaged. There is also concern at the damage to crops and livestock in regions where agriculture is the main source of income.
"The appeal also reflects our concern for the longer-term recovery operation in regions where critical infrastructures has been affected and livestock and crops have been wiped out," said Mr. Mogwanja.
The figures in the appeal will continue to be revised according to information coming in from ongoing assessments and response efforts will be coordinated through inter-agency Cluster Response Plans.
Sarah Epstein from UNICEF UK said, "It’s unacceptable that because of this flooding children should continue to be denied their rights to basic things like education or to be as healthy as possible. We want to put this right immediately. We don’t receive funding from the UN budget and call on the British public to support us at this time and give what they can to help Pakistan’s children."
Use this link to the UNICEF website donation form if you would like to contribute to the effort to help in Pakistan
The World's Longest Toilet Queue
From 20 to 22 March 2010 UNICEF UK and other members of the End Water Poverty Coalition around the world will be attempting to set the Guinness World Record for the longest toilet queue to mark World Water Day.
They're not just doing this to break a record; there is a serious message behind it. Every year 1.5 million children die due to preventable diseases caused by unsafe drinking water and a lack of basic sanitation. In order to address this global crisis, governments need to take immediate action.
Download the handy toolkit and the information sheet to get you started.
PROJECT: LIVE FREE FROM HIV
During 2008/9 UK Soroptimists worked with UNICEF UK on the Born Free from HIV appeal and raised over £20,000.
To ensure these babies continue to live free of the virus prevention amongst young people is also key. Therefore, during 2010 UNICEF UK would like to work with Soroptimists in the UK to support their Live Free from HIV work which focuses exactly on this.
UNICEF UK relies on voluntary donations to fund its vital work for children and their rights. They receive no funding from the UN budget. They raise funds for these programmes through donations, the sale of cards and gifts, partnerships and special events.
How you can help
They are calling on all Soroptimists to help raise vital funds for the Appeal, which aims to help children in our Federation countries and elsewhere. With our support they hope to raise £30,000 between now and the end of 2010. Even a small amount can go a long way in helping to protect children’s rights:
- £2.50 could empower a child in Zimbabwe by providing life-saving information and skills in a safe and supportive school environment.
- £70 could provide a victim of gender-based sexual violence or exploitation in Northern Uganda with post-rape care and essential medical treatment.
- £630 could provide two years of support for an adolescent HIV and AIDS prevention club in Sierra Leone, enabling them to promote positive behaviour change in their community.
How to get started
Fundraising can take many different forms and what you decide to do will depend on your Club and local audience. For example, some Clubs find any event involving food is always well supported, so a cheese and wine party or ‘Come dine with me’ evening could be a winner. Dedicated staff at UNICEF UK will be on hand to offer advice and ideas as well as resources to help spread the word on what you’re raising money for!
UNICEF UK has produced posters and information sheets and fundraising packs are available so please do get in touch if you need anything. You can contact Jane Hastings through this website or contact UNICEF UK on 0844 801 2414; email helpdesk@unicef.org.uk (don't forget to mention that you are a UK Soroptimist, supporting the Live free from HIV Appeal)
Download the leaflet which give more information on how UK Soroptimists can help.
A Letter from UNICEF UK
Dear UK Soroptimists
On behalf of UNICEF I would like to say a huge thank you to you all for supporting our Born Free from HIV campaign over the last 18 months. Your hard work and support has helped us to raise just under £20,000, a fantastic achievement and one which will mean that more children will be born free from the virus.
To ensure that these children grow up to live free of HIV, Soroptimists and UNICEF UK have decided to work together on our HIV prevention appeal, and was launched at your Federation conference in Cardiff.
Almost every minute of every day, two young people are infected with HIV.
This new appeal will be running until the end of 2010 so once again we are asking for your support to ensure it’s a success. Please do get in touch if you would like more information or need any fundraising ideas or advice. Or download the leaflet here.
Many thanks
Helen Shaw
Fundraising Initiatives Officer
www.unicef.org.uk / Helens@unicef.org.uk
HAITI EARTHQUAKE
A devastating earthquake measuring 7.0 on the Richter scale has struck Haiti causing an unfolding humanitarian crisis. Children have been killed and injured — many are in desperate need of clean water, shelter and medical help. Early reports indicate a large number of casualties and widespread damage.
The situation for Haiti was already difficult before the earthquake hit the island. Haiti is the one of the poorest countries in the world and is struggling to recover from years of violence, insecurity and massive natural disasters. More than half of the country's 9.6 million inhabitants are under 21 years of age.
All children have rights — these are most at risk of being denied in emergencies. UNICEF is working to ensure that the rights of children affected in Haiti are not forgotten.
A gift of £30 could provide 3 families with basic water kits, protecting more children’s right to be healthy.
Please donate to UNICEF’s Haiti Earthquake Children’s Appeal today.
CHILEAN EARTHQUAKE
UNICEF and its UN partners are monitoring events and stand ready to help in the aftermath of an 8.8-magnitude earthquake that shook Chile early Saturday.
The quake reportedly killed at least 700 people and displaced hundreds of thousands, causing widespread damage to homes, hospitals, schools, roads and other infrastructure. All UNICEF staff in Chile have been accounted for.
This earthquake came just six and a half weeks after a less powerful but more deadly one struck Haiti, where intensive aid operations continue. This will not stand in the way of providing help to Chile.
UNICEF is not currently fundraising for Chile but you can make a donation to our Children's Emergency Fund
About UNICEF UK
UNICEF UK, which was established in 1957, is one of 37 national committees for UNICEF, based in industrial countries and:
* Promotes and advocated for children's rights in the UK
* Works with local partner organisations, schools, hospitals and businesses
* Raises money to support UNICEF’s programmes internationally.
UNICEF works in over 190 countries and territories to fulfil children’s rights to health and nutrition; education; emergency relief; protection; and water and sanitation. By working in partnership with others, from governments and teachers to youth groups and mothers UNICEF is a driving force for people throughout the world working to ensure a better future for children.
UNICEF is unique within the United Nations family in that it receives no statutory UN funding - it is funded entirely by voluntary contributions from governments, the public and greeting card sales. As a result, UNICEF is regarded as a distinct entity in itself.
Visit their Web site... (external link)