Donncha O’Callaghan launches UNICEF’s survival gifts campaign

19th November 2015

Blankets & warm winter clothing for fleeing refugee children among the gifts available for purchase

DUBLIN, 19 November 2015 – UNICEF Ireland today launched its survival gifts campaign to bring hope to children around the world this Christmas. UNICEF Survival Gifts allows donors the opportunity to purchase actual lifesaving items that will be shipped directly from UNICEF to help children in one of over 190 countries & territories.

Every day 17,000 children die from preventable causes. Survival Gifts can make an immediate and dramatic difference in bringing that number closer to zero. Fewer children will die from unclean water, malnutrition or disease. Fewer lives will be lost for lack of shelter, immunizations or basic medicines

UNICEF Ambassador Donncha O’Callaghan said: “As a UNICEF Ambassador, I’ve seen the positive difference Irish people’s generosity make in the lives of vulnerable children around the world. While other organisations allow supporters to purchase ‘symbolic’ gifts, UNICEF’s Survival Gifts are real items, such as mosquito nets, therapeutic food, winter clothing and education supplies. UNICEF survival gifts have a gift to suit every budget, making them ideal presents for friends, family and colleagues. Every survival gift purchased goes directly to a child in need. With your help, we can give thousands of innocent children the support they need this Christmas.”

UNICEF Ireland’s Executive Director Peter Power said: “Every child has a right to an adequate standard of living. This year, UNICEF has reacted to more emergencies than ever before. At the moment, our colleagues on the ground are helping children caught up in high scale emergencies in South Sudan, Yemen, Syria and the countries affected by the ongoing refugee & migration crisis. This has stretched our resources to their limits leaving us, and the children we serve, relying solely on the generosity of donors.”

UNICEF has a survival gift to suit every friend, colleague or family member, and range from an affordable €16 to €373. Survival gifts include:

UNICEF Survival Gifts are available for sale on www.unicef.ie/shop.

ENDS

For further information please contact:
Clare Herbert, UNICEF Ireland, Communications Manager, clare@unicef.ie / +353 87 942 1281 / + 353 1 878 3000

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