Bangkok--19 Jun--UNICEF Thailand
with Actor Tik Jesdaporn Pholdee joining as Campaign Champion in Thailand
UNICEF Thailand today launched a campaign to appeal to the Thai public for urgent donations in support of children and families affected by the cyclones which hit southern Africa. Popular actor Tik Jesdaporn Pholdee has been named as the Campaign Champion, who will be travelling to the hardest-hit areas in Mozambique next week to visit some of the affected communities and see firsthand UNICEF's relief efforts there.
Watch video: http://bit.ly/CycloneHeroVideo
More than three million people in Mozambique, Malawi and Zimbabwe are currently affected by the aftermaths of Cyclone Idai and Cyclone Kenneth, the most devastating disaster which hit southern Africa over the past 20 years. Homes, health facilities, schools have been destroyed, leaving thousands sheltering on rooftops, and thousands more crowded into camps and schools and other public buildings. Three months since the first cyclone, more than 1.6 million children are still in urgent need of humanitarian assistance, including healthcare, nutrition, protection, education, as well as water and sanitation.
"Many childrenhave lost their homes, schools, friends and loved ones. The cyclones took everything away from them," said Juan Santander, Deputy Representative for UNICEF
Thailand. "Over the past few months, UNICEF and partners have been racing against time to provide urgent assistance to save children's lives. The needs remain urgent and massive, as any prolonged interruption in access to essential supplies and services could lead to disease outbreaks and spikes in malnutrition, to which children are especially vulnerable."
How to donate: type 100 and send SMS to 4712225 to donate 100 baht
Last month, UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador Orlando Bloom visited Mozambique, the country most affected, where more than 1.1 million of children are severely affected by the cyclones. Following Bloom's mission, Tik Jesdaporn Pholdee, will be travelling to Beira, the worst-affected areas where he will meet children and families at temporary shelters to learn more about their urgent needs.
" I heard heart-breaking stories of many children who have lost everything," said Jesdaporn. "Although they survived the cyclones, many aspects of their lives have been wrecked. While the crisis is happening far away from Thailand, I want to tell their stories and speak out about their needs. I truly believe that the support from Thai people in times like this will become a vital force that could save thousands of children's lives. Together, we can help the survivors overcome obstacles and return to normal life again."
UNICEF is supporting children and families affected by the cyclones, so they can return home or relocate to safer places. UNICEF is also providing healthcare, nutrition, education, water and sanitation and protection services.
Shortly after the disaster hit, UNICEF and its partners restored water supplies to thousands of people in Beira and procured and administered 1 million doses of cholera vaccine to curb the disease outbreak.
In Thailand, UNICEF hopes to raise a total of 25 million Baht, in contribution to the organization's global funding appeal which has been set at US$ 122 million to deliver humanitarian assistance to children and families affected by the cyclone. The donations will be used to provide safe drinking water, vaccines, treatment for malnutrition, as well as quality education and psychosocial support.
To help children and families affected by Cyclone Idai and Cyclone Kenneth:
SMS: Type 100 and send SMS to 4712225 (100 baht per one SMS)
Online: http://www.unicef.or.th/cyclone
Bank Transfer: Bangkok Bank Account no. 201-3-01324-4
Please send your contact information (name, address, mobile phone number) together with pay slip to UNICEF and indicate "Cyclone" to unicefthailand@unicef.org fax: 02 356 9229.