UNICEF Launches Urgent Donation Appeal for Fight against COVID-19

UNICEF Luxembourg has appealed for donations to support its efforts in the fight against COVID-19 (coronavirus) worldwide.

In Luxembourg and around the world, COVID-19 has changed billions of lives; the number of infections continues to rise and billions of people are confined to their homes. In this context, UNICEF requires funds to be able to continue to help the world's most vulnerable children during this challenging time.

As coronavirus continues to spread, schools around the world are closed, leaving billions of uneducated children and entire populations in confinement. UNICEF has reiterated that the impact of the pandemic on children and their families is huge, with illness, isolation, fear and loss of livelihood creating extremely difficult situations. In severely affected countries, health systems are stretched to the limit and struggling to cope with the large number of patients. Consequently, those who were already vulnerable before the crisis are all the more threatened and urgently need support.

For its part, UNICEF has been carrying out activities all over the world, including in Europe, by providing tonnes of equipment and making available various health, social and educational services. With a presence in all countries, UNICEF has provided the following equipment and services, among others, to date: thermometers and protective clothing in Indonesia; millions of masks and protective kits in China, Iran, Italy and Spain; hand washing awareness in Jordan; distribution of hygiene kits in Hong Kong; prevention campaigns in Nigeria; distribution of flyers in refugee camps in Greece; and cooperation with governments around the world to develop distance learning opportunities.

In addition, UNICEF is preparing, among other things, additional shipments of equipment to North Korea, Eritrea, Indonesia, Palestine, Venezuela, South Sudan, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ukraine and Afghanistan.

To be able to continue to pursue its humanitarian response to the COVID-19 pandemic, UNICEF has launched one of its most urgent fundraising appeals yet. People in Luxembourg wishing to support the efforts of UNICEF teams in the fight against this virus can make a donation via bank transfer to the account of UNICEF Luxembourg IBAN LU71 1111 2144 2050 0000 (mention "COVID-19") or online at www.unicef.lu/covid19.

To illustrate what these donations do, €30 can get 150 soaps for hand washing, €75 can provide 250 protective masks and 200 pairs of gloves for healthcare professionals and €150 can help give around 275 people access to information on health and hygiene measures.