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© UNICEF HK/2016

Guo Jing-jing and Eric Suen, UNICEF HK ambassadors, calls for support to 250 million children in crises worldwide

Hong Kong, 8 September 2016—To mark its 30th anniversary, the Hong Kong Committee for UNICEF (UNICEF HK) launches the ‘Art of Giving’ campaign to connect people from all walks of life through a series of activities to support children in crises. From now to 22 September, UNICEF HK’s ‘Art of Giving’ Public Exhibition will be held at the 1/F Atrium of Hysan Place for public viewing and participation in charitable response.

© UNICEF HK/2016

The exhibition will showcase relief supplies and materials that are used in emergencies and disasters, and offer a virtual reality experience for visitors to learn and feel UNICEF's humanitarian effort in the field.

A kick-off ceremony was held today, officiated by Mr Johnny Ng, Vice-Chairman and Treasurer of UNICEF HK; Mr David Fong, Chairman of Fundraising Committee of UNICEF HK; Ms Jane Lau, Chief Executive of UNICEF HK; and ambassadors Ms Guo Jing-jing and Mr Eric Suen Yiu-wai.

Key emergency supplies that are normally deployed to the field at times of crisis will be on display. Among all, a 'School-in-a-Box' that is good for teachers to provide a safe learning environment for up to 40 students within within the first 72 hours after an emergency takes place will be shown. In addition, real samples of water purification tabs, therapeutic food for children with acute malnutrition, and other health facilities will also be featured..

Mr Johnny Ng, Vice-Chairman and Treasurer of UNICEF HK, said, “Over the past 30 years, thanks to the generous support of the public in Hong Kong, we have has raised nearly HK$2.5 billion to support UNICEF’s humanitarian and development work for children around the world.”

According to UNICEF, 250 million children worldwide are now living in areas affected by conflicts while millions more face risks from natural hazards and health epidemics. Through the ‘Art of Giving’ campaign, UNICEF HK calls on Hong Kong people to help the children living in calamities and poverty by giving their “gift of health", "gift of nutrition", "gift of water, sanitation and hygiene" and “gift of education” so as to give them a chance to survive and thrive.

In support of the ‘Art of Giving’ campaign’, Ms Guo Jing-jing and Mr Eric Suen Yiu-wai, also designed their own boxes of giving.

© UNICEF HK/2016

© UNICEF HK/2016

Guo Jing-jing said, “I share stories with my son about children in areas affected by earthquakes, droughts and conflicts… and I would like to ing him to UNICEF HK’s activities or even visit children in the field.” Eric Suen, who had visited Angola, Africa, on a UNICEF mission a few years ago, was an eye witness of the death of a sick child who lived under extreme poverty, “My heart still aches whenever I think of what happened to this child. Therefore, I want to call on everyone to participate in the ‘Art of Giving’ campaign for even the slightest contribution can make a great difference to the lives of children.”

Other UNICEF ambassadors have also designed their own “Boxes of Giving”. They are Miss Gigi Leung, Miss Charlie Young, Mr Wong Kam-po, Miss Sarah Lee, and renowned movie director, Mr Adam Wong. Visitors can receive a ‘Box of Giving’ design pack and a mini storybook upon any donation made on-site, and parents can help their kids understand the situations faced by children in crises. The public can also visit unicef.org.hk/giving, or set up a personal fundraising page, to support children in crises.

©UNICEF HK/2016

©UNICEF HK/2016

©UNICEF HK/2016

©UNICEF HK/2016

©UNICEF HK/2016

Event photos can be downloaded here.