Press Release

EU Nobel Peace Prize Award to Help Build Foundation of Peace for Children

The decision by the European Union (EU) to give a portion of the Nobel Prize award to UNICEF means that more children in Pakistan will have a better chance at education and learning. UNICEF is among five humanitarian organizations to receive funds for programming in complex emergencies from the EU, which was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize on December 10, 2012. The EU also announced that in addition to its prize money of $1.2 million, it will top up its donation to a total of $2.6 million for education in emergencies projects.

NEW YORK (December 18, 2012) — The decision by the European Union (EU) to give a portion of the Nobel Prize award to UNICEF means that more children in Pakistan will have a better chance at education and learning.

UNICEF is among five humanitarian organizations to receive funds for programming in complex emergencies from the EU, which was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize on December 10, 2012. The EU also announced that in addition to its prize money of $1.2 million, it will top up its donation to a total of $2.6 million for education in emergencies projects towards the EU Children of Peace initiative.

"We are honored and grateful to the EU—not for UNICEF itself, but for the children we serve," said Anthony Lake, UNICEF Executive Director.

Complex emergencies can have a deep and lasting effect on children—physically, psychologically and emotionally. Education helps children learn skills to develop values and attitudes that prevent conflict and build peace.

The funds will benefit 3,000 Pakistani children from 3-9 years old in 30 camp schools in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The education packages for the displaced include school-in-a-box supplies, training for teachers, education for peace training, and psychosocial counseling that will help children cope with traumatic experiences.

UNICEF congratulates the other recipients of the financial award: the Agency for Technical Cooperation and Development, UNHCR, Save the Children and the Norwegian Refugee Council.

About UNICEF

The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) works in 190 countries and territories to save and improve children’s lives, providing health care and immunizations, clean water and sanitation, 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. Together, we are working toward the day when ZERO children die from preventable causes and every child has a safe and healthy childhood. For more information, visit www.unicefusa.org.

For additional information, please contact:
Susannah Masur, U.S. Fund for UNICEF, 646.428.5010, smasur@unicefusa.org