Open letter to philanthropists from the UNICEF International Council
SPOKESPEOPLE AVAILABLE ON REQUEST
Fellow philanthropists,
Bringing the pandemic to an end is within our power
We, the members of UNICEF’s International Council – a collective of over 70 individual philanthropic partners committed to improving children’s lives – are standing alongside UNICEF as it leverages decades of experience vaccinating nearly half the world’s children each year, into the most ambitious global vaccine delivery operation the world has ever seen.
UNICEF is the key delivery partner of the COVAX facility – a global alliance established to guarantee fair and equitable access to COVID-19 vaccines, tests and treatments. It aims to help deliver at least two billion vaccine doses by the end of 2021 in more than 180 countries.
Looking to the year ahead, we all have a vested interest in ensuring that COVID-19 vaccines are rapidly distributed and equitably delivered. Some countries are beginning to see COVID-19 cases decreasing, while in other countries cases are increasing at alarming rates and overwhelming their health systems. In order to achieve worldwide success, we must reach every country urgently. The pandemic won’t truly end for anyone until it ends for everyone.
We believe private philanthropists are uniquely placed to respond to this global emergency and help UNICEF close the funding gaps – an estimated need of US$659 million this year. Thanks to the agility and speed of private grant making, our funds can help accelerate the vaccine roll-out, respond quickly to changing circumstances, and enable UNICEF to work with countries not just to deliver vaccines to people but invest in sustainable improvements in health care systems, tackle misinformation, and engage communities – all things that UNICEF does best.
This is an urgent call to action to save lives and give children the future that they deserve. Please join us by supporting UNICEF to deliver history. Please contact [email protected] for more information.
Co-signed by:
Aaron and Catie Enrico, United States
Andy Astrachan, AJA Foundation, United States
Asher and Kendra Simon, United States
Barbara and Edward Shapiro, United States
Bernard Taylor, Sr. United States
Bill and Cindee Dietz, United States
Carey Garrett, Canada
Carrie D. Rhodes-Nigam and Vishal Nigam, United States
Charlotte and Peter Bolland, United Kingdom
Cillian and Siobhan Ryan, South Africa
Djaffar Shalchi, Denmark
Dolores Rice Gahan, D.O. United States
Dr. Xiang Hu, China
Elena Marimo Berk, United States
- Barrie Landry, United States
George and Danielle Boutros, United States
Gloria Principe and John O’Farrell, United States
Holger Feist, Germany
Jamie, Chuck and Lucy Meyer, United States
Kaia Miller Goldstein and Jono Goldstein, United States
Kirsty and Eric Bendahan – ELEVA Foundation, United Kingdom
Kambara (Sun) Kenta, Japan
Kambara (Sun) Miky, Japan
Kambara (Sun) Shintaro, Japan
Kin Bing Wu, United States
Luisa Panconesi, Italy
Maria Ahlström Bondestam, Anna Tornivuori, Helena Nahi, Joanna Danielsson, Malin Ahlström, Johanna Ahlström, Laura Meyer – Eva Ahlström Foundation, Finland.
Mark and Allie Allyn, United States
Melody Wilder Wilson, United States
Naza Alakija, United Kingdom
Pasi Joronen, Finland
Purvi & Harsh Padia, United States
Rachel Simon, United States
Richard Hirayama, United States
Sarah Simon, United States
Sippi and Ajay Khurana, United States
Steve Eaton, United States
Susan and Dan Boggio, United States
Susan Littlefield and Martin Roper, United States
Susan and Stefan Findel, United States and Germany
Tina Srowig, Germany
Téa Leoni, United States
The Charles Engelhard Foundation, United States
Wendy and Frank Serrino, United States
For more information and interviews with spokespeople, please contact:
Unicef UK Media Team, 0207 375 6030, [email protected]
About UNICEF and UNICEF UK
UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. Across more than 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, to build a better world for everyone.
The UK Committee for UNICEF (UNICEF UK) raises funds for UNICEF’s emergency and development work for children. We also promote and protect children’s rights in the UK and internationally. We are a UK charity, entirely funded by supporters.
United Kingdom Committee for UNICEF (UNICEF UK), Registered Charity No. 1072612 (England & Wales), SC043677 (Scotland).
For more information visit unicef.org.uk. Follow UNICEF UK on Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook and YouTube.