"Hope for Haiti Now" distributing $5 million to UNICEF in final installment of funds
Six months after quake, additional funds aimed at Child Protection work in Haiti
NEW YORK (July 13, 2010) — The U.S. fund for UNICEF today gratefully acknowledged receipt of a $5 million grant from the "Hope for Haiti Now: A Global Benefit for Earthquake Relief" telethon which took place on January 22—10 days after the earthquake struck. The funds represent the second of two grants totaling $11 million to UNICEF to be used to further UNICEF's efforts around Child Protection work in Haiti.
"Six months after this devastating earthquake, children continue to face extreme threats to their wellbeing, however the massive humanitarian operation in Haiti has undoubtedly averted an even greater catastrophe," said Caryl M. Stern, president and CEO of the U.S. Fund for UNICEF. "The money received from HFHN will continue to strengthen our child protection work in Haiti, which includes preventing and responding to family separations; supporting the psycho-social needs of families and children; and preventing child exploitation for trafficking."
Six of the telethon beneficiaries including UNICEF, submitted proposals to become recipients of the first installment ($35 million) of funds released through the telethon. The initial funds from "Hope for Haiti Now" were allocated to support both immediate disaster relief, and reconstruction and recovery efforts in Haiti. UNICEF's initial share totaled $6 million.
In May, the beneficiary organizations submitted proposals for the second round of funding. After an intensive review process, the Entertainment Industry Foundation (EIF), the 501(c)(3) organization providing pro bono philanthropic support and HFHN are allocating the final $31 million.
UNICEF will use the final installment of funds ($5 million) to strengthen services and systems that protect children in Haiti through family tracing and reunification, psychosocial services, the treatment and prevention of gender-based violence, and combating child trafficking.
UNICEF has also released a report today titled, Children of Haiti: Milestones and looking forward at six months. The comprehensive report offers a detailed account of what UNICEF and its partners' work has been in every sector affecting the wellbeing of women and children in Haiti.
The "Hope for Haiti Now" telethon featured 24 performers in Los Angeles, New York and London, as well as over 100 celebrity participants answering phones and taking donations. "Hope for Haiti Now" was produced by Joel Gallen and Tenth Planet Productions, in collaboration with Viacom's MTV Networks and George Clooney.
EIF, MTV Networks and George Clooney, the telethon's principal organizer, are committed to ensuring that the donated funds are quickly and effectively put to use in Haiti. All partner organizations are required to meet the highest standards of transparency, accountability and effectiveness. The organizations receiving funds at this time were selected as beneficiaries for their history of operation and collaboration within the nongovernmental organization (NGO) community in Haiti. Field reports and real-time updates will be provided to keep the public informed of the progress of relief and recovery efforts.
About UNICEF
UNICEF has saved more children’s lives than any other humanitarian organization in the world. Working in over 150 countries, UNICEF provides children with health care, clean water, nutrition, education, emergency relief, and more. The U.S. Fund for UNICEF supports UNICEF's work through fundraising, advocacy, and education in the United States.
UNICEF is at the forefront of efforts to reduce child mortality worldwide. There has been substantial progress—the annual number of under-five deaths dropped from 13 million in 1990 to 8.8 million in 2008. But still, 24,000 children die each day from preventable causes. Our mission is to do whatever it takes to make that number zero by giving children the essentials for a safe and healthy childhood. For more information, visit www.unicefusa.org.
For more information, please contact:
Richard Alleyne, U.S. Fund for UNICEF, (212) 880-9177, ralleyne@unicefusa.org
Kini Schoop, U.S. Fund for UNICEF, (212) 922-2634, kschoop@unicefusa.org
