Home News ICC supports UNICEF’s Covid -19 relief efforts in South Asia

ICC supports UNICEF’s Covid -19 relief efforts in South Asia

by Bustop TV News

By Sukuoluhle Ndlovu

The International Cricket Council has launched a fundraising campaign for UNICEF’s emergency Covid-19 response in South Asia.

The campaign was launched at the Inaugural World Test Championship Final which is currently underway in Southampton between India and New Zealand from the 18th to 22md of June 2021.

The funds raised will go towards supporting communities and marginalised people to weather this storm and prevent further disruptions to essential health services for women and children.

During the first wave of the pandemic, an estimated 228,00 children across South Asia died due to disruptions in the health sector.

South Asia is home to nearly 2 million people and more than a quarter of the world’s children. The spread of Covid -19 in South Asia has ruined countries abilities to provide life saving treatment and essential services.

The support UNICEF is providing will harness the power and reach of cricket one of the World’s most popular sports in safeguarding the lives and futures of children. As part of the campaign, ICC will leverage its audience base on its digital channels to contribute to UNICEF.  ICC with UNICEF shall display joint appeals on their digital platforms.

The UNICEF Regional Director, George Laryea –Adjel described the spread of the virus as very alarming.

“The sheer speed and scale of infection across South Asia has been alarming and fragile health systems have been pushed to the brink. UNICEF is on the ground with partners to deliver lifesaving support and ensure essential health services for children and women continue operating. ICC’s Cricket for Good Initiative will allow us to raise vital funds to continue delivering lifesaving supplies and services to children and families in South Asia,” he said.

The Acting CEO International Cricket Council, Geoff Allardice said all the money that will be raised is for the Covid -19 response in South Asia.

“The devastation that the Covid -19 pandemic has caused in South Asia has been heart breaking with vulnerable children among the most affected. By partnering with UNICEF to support their Covid -19 relief works, we can use the global platform provided by the inaugural World Test Championship Final to raise urgent fund that can make a real difference. We appeal to cricket fans around the world to come together to show their support for the work of UNICEF at such a difficult time and donate to such worthwhile cause,” he said.

ICC is also partnering with Tech Mahindra in the launch of a special Covid -19 relief range for the inaugural ICC WTC Final and 10% of the proceeds will go to UNICEF’s relief work in South Asia.

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