News

17 April 2010

Hong Kong Committee for UNICEF launched fundraising campaigns to support Qinghai relief efforts

Hong Kong, 17 April 2010 — The Hong Kong Committee for UNICEF immediately allocated HK$1,000,000 on 15 April to the relief work in Qinghai. Various fundraising campaigns launched to raise funds for emergency relief.

Obstacles for relief work:

•    Xining is 800Km from Yushu that takes 12 – 15 hours ride by car, causing difficulties in logistical arrangements to deliver food, water,   tents, shelters, clothes, blankets, quilts, essential household items, medicine, medical and rescue equipments;

•     The most urgent emergency relief materials are delivered by air, and more will be transported by land and railway.

From UNICEF’s programme counterparts, below are details of the needs assessment:

1) Immediate Needs for school children:

•    2000 boots for children aged 6-8 year olds;

•    5000 sets of warm children jackets, trousers, socks for children aged 6-15 year olds;

•    5000 shoulder bags for affected school children;

•    2000 wool blankets for boarding school students.

2) Assistance for schooling in the transition period:

•    150 cotton school tents, 72 sm, accommodating 40-45 students per tent;

•    500 black boards for interim teaching in tents;

•    20 sets of electronic devices with 2000 Watt, which can produce electricity;

•    Pre-fabs for teaching and students dormitories, covering 56,000 sm.

3) Immunization Campaign:
•    Qinghai Provincial Center for Disease Control CDC plans to request from the provincial government to conduct an earthquake immunization response campaign to the affected population and children;

•    UNICEF cannot procure local vaccines but would support the campaign activities on social mobilization materials development and printing with local language information..

4) Psychosocial support:
•    Given the high number of deaths and injuries, immediate psycho-social interventions will be urgently required. The Ministry of Health has requested UN Disaster Management Team (UNDMT) to immediately mobilize a psychosocial support team to Yushu.

The Hong Kong Committee for UNICEF launches various fundraising activities to support Qinghai relief efforts:

•     Donation boxes will be put in all Park N’ Shops supermarkets, Pricerite stores, collecting donations from the general public.

•     20/4: Ms. Mirium Yeung, Ambassador of the Hong Kong Committee for UNICEF will make a donation appeal to the Hong Kong public at Harbour City;

•    21/4: Mr. Koo Tin Lok, Ambassador of the Hong Kong Committee for UNICEF will make a donation appeal to the Hong Kong public at Times Square;

Heartfelt thanks to all volunteers and corporate partners for their tremendous and continued support to the Hong Kong Committee for UNICEF.

Please give hands to save lives!

Donation to Qinghai Earthquake

1. Donation Hotline             :     2833 6139 2. Direct Bank- in

3. Cheque: Payable to “Hong Kong Committee for UNICEF” (Please send us the cheque with personal details with remark “Qinghai” at the back and send to “Hong Kong Committee for UNICEF, 3/F, 60 Blue Pool Road, Happy Valley, Hong Kong.”)

About UNICEF

UNICEF is on the ground in over 150 countries and territories to help children survive and thrive, from early childhood through adolescence.  The world’s largest provider of vaccines for developing countries, UNICEF supports child health and nutrition, good water and sanitation, quality basic education for all boys and girls, and the protection of children from violence, exploitation, and AIDS.  UNICEF is funded entirely by the voluntary contributions of individuals, businesses, foundations and governments.

About UNICEF China

UNICEF first assisted China between 1947 and 1951, providing emergency services, food and nutrition, health and hygiene training during and after the war of liberation. In 1979 UNICEF officially commenced its cooperation with the Government of China