The U.S. Fund for UNICEF Recognizes Israel’s Multi-Million Dollar Pledge to Combat Ebola in West Africa

NEW YORK (December 26, 2014) – The U.S. Fund for UNICEF applauds Israel’s recent pledge of $8.75 million to halt the spread of Ebola in West Africa. This donation to the UN’s Ebola Response Multi-Partner Trust Fund represents the largest per-capita investment by any nation in efforts to combat the virus. The Government of Israel has also asked that a portion of the gift be earmarked to UNICEF, which is working to tackle the drivers of Ebola transmission and provide urgent services for children affected by the disease.

“We thank Israel for their generous contribution to help stop Ebola and for recognizing that children are especially vulnerable during emergencies,” said Caryl Stern, president and CEO of the U.S. Fund for UNICEF. “Although progress has been made in controlling Ebola, much remains to be done to fully stamp out the disease and provide care to children whose lives have been upended by it.”

Ebola has infected nearly 19,000 people and claimed over 6,900 lives across West Africa. As many as 10,000 children could be orphaned across the hardest-hit countries—Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea—due to the virus. Often, they are stigmatized or shunned by their communities. An estimated 5 million children also remain out of school as a result of the emergency.

Israel’s pledge comes after the country has sent fully equipped medical clinics to West Africa and medical specialists to operate the clinics and train local health workers.

“The donation from Israel could not have come at a more critical time, as global attention on the crisis is waning,” added Stern. “This is an investment not only in current efforts to combat the virus, but also in the long-term health and well-being of children and families across West Africa.”

About UNICEF

The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) works in more than 190 countries and territories to put children first. UNICEF has helped save more children’s lives than any other humanitarian organization, by 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 no children die from preventable causes and every child has a safe and healthy childhood. For more information, visit www.unicefusa.org.

For more information, contact:

Susannah Masur, U.S. Fund for UNICEF, 212.880.9146, smasur@unicefusa.org