Press Releases
February 1, 2013
UNICEF: More than 200,000 Children in Homs, Syria Need Urgent Humanitarian Assistance
A United Nations joint mission to the western Syrian governorate of Homs, in which UNICEF took part, found that 420,000 people need immediate humanitarian assistance. Half of this population is children. “Children are the worst affected,” says UNICEF Emergency Specialist Mark Choonoo, who was on the mission. “Most children I saw were showing signs of distress. It is extremely important that we reach as many of these children as possible with the support they need to cope with their traumatic experiences.”
February 1, 2013
U.S. Fund for UNICEF Announces Winners of Annual Pier 1 Imports/UNICEF Greeting Card Contest
The U.S. Fund for UNICEF announced today the winners of the annual Pier 1 Imports®/UNICEF greeting card contest. The theme this year is “A Holiday of Hope and Joy.” Atticus Silbaugh, age eight, from Shrewsbury, Pa., is this year’s recipient of the Grand Prize Award for his artwork, which will be reproduced as an official UNICEF greeting card, and sold exclusively at Pier 1 Imports stores across the country and on Pier1.com during the 2013 holiday season. The U.S. Fan’s Choice Award was presented to Vivian Lu, age 12, from Arcadia, California.
January 30, 2013
UNICEF Launches Play Initiative with $1 Million Grant from Disney
UNICEF, with a $1 million founding grant from Disney, announced today the launch of a pilot program that utilizes playgrounds and recreation to promote play, a critical part of child development. The unique new initiative P.L.A.Y., Play & Learning Activities for Youth, features portable playground units that children can assemble into any structure, helping them to tap into their imagination, curiosity, and self-expression, as well as promoting collaboration with their peers.
January 29, 2013
IKEA Thanks Its Customers and Co-Workers!
[PARTNER RELEASE] The IKEA Foundation, along with IKEA customers and co-workers, have partnered together on a $12 million global donation to UNICEF and Save the Children for projects that will help create opportunities for children to have access to a quality education. The IKEA Foundation will support 18 UNICEF and Save the Children projects in 17 countries. The donations help UNICEF and Save the Children train teachers, improve child protection systems, supply educational materials, and increase school attendance rates.
January 29, 2013
UNICEF Reaches Children Affected by Conflict in Central African Republic
UNICEF is working with its partners to provide emergency relief after weeks of conflict in the Central African Republic (CAR) left 800,000 people in urgent need of humanitarian assistance. With the situation stabilizing, the priority is to reach communities that have been without adequate food, medicine, water, sanitation, hygiene, education and protection. Currently, UNICEF is able to respond to the needs of 45,000 people. $2.1 million is needed immediately to support the emergency response, and an estimated $11.5 million is needed in 2013.
