COPENHAGEN, May 17, 2016 /CNW/ - Today at the Women Deliver Conference in Copenhagen, the Government of Canada announced a $5 million commitment to saving the lives of women and children in partnership with UNICEF Canada's The 25th Team. This initiative allows philanthropic Canadian women to leverage their $6 million investment, together with Canada's commitment, to save lives in five countries. Seventeen members of The 25th Team are attending the Women Deliver Conference this week as part of their four-year journey with UNICEF Canada.
A partnership to save women and children:
UNICEF Canada, a team of 60 influential Canadian women, the Government of Canada and the Garrett Family Foundation have come together in an innovative partnership to invest over four years in life-saving projects in Cambodia, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Namibia and Peru.
These projects are building capacity in communities and with governments to save children's lives and model approaches to reach the most vulnerable with life-saving services. The combined investment will help more than 3.8 million women and children.
The legacy of this investment will be multiplied as the impact and results of UNICEF's work leverages further investment by governments and donors to take these programs to scale and make them sustainable beyond the four years of The 25th Team's investment.
The five countries each face a unique gap – an area that requires urgent attention, but has been under resourced – in maternal, newborn and child health (MNCH). The goal of The 25th Team interventions is to address these gaps in order to improve health outcomes for mothers and children.
Quotes:
"UNICEF and Canada have a long history of partnering to improve the health and well-being of children around the world. Today's announcement further underscores Canada's continued global leadership for the world's most vulnerable children to ensure they are able to survive, thrive and reach their full potential," said David Morley, UNICEF Canada President and CEO. "Together, UNICEF and Canada are saving lives."
"The commitment made by Minister Bibeau of $5 million in partnership with The 25th Team marks the next stage in Canada's continued leadership in saving the lives of the world's most vulnerable children and mothers," said Meg French, UNICEF Canada's Chief of International Programs and Public Affairs. "By investing with UNICEF Canada and the women of The 25th Team, Canada is leading the way in innovative financing and partnerships to leverage further investments that will allow us to reach the hardest to reach in support of the Sustainable Development Goals."
"The remarkable women who have joined The 25th Team are committed to leaving a legacy of lives saved and want their investments to have lasting—and multiplied—impact. Canada's partnership in this initiative is a critical step our efforts to help 3.8 million women and children," said Sharon Avery, UNICEF Canada's Chief Development Officer. "The 60 Canadian women who are part of The 25th Team are influential, engaged, passionate and intelligent. They have changed the face of philanthropy in Canada and set a new standard for global giving. We are incredibly proud to partner with Canada in this life-saving partnership."
"The opportunity to be part of The 25 Team is a challenge that I felt I could not pass on. Partnering with UNICEF, the world leader in protecting children's rights and the Government of Canada, has provided me with a sense of confidence in our ability to make a significant impact in the lives of mothers and children around the world," said Dr. Liza Murrell, member of UNICEF's The 25th Team. "As the mother of four children, I understand firsthand the magnitude and the importance of maternal and child healthcare—a basic right for all women and children. I am proud to stand with my teammates to make access a reality for millions of women and children around the globe."
About The 25th Team:
The 25th Team is a national giving circle made up of 60 Canadian women who've come together to save women's and children's lives. Their learning journey is partially underwritten by generous support from Teck, a long time UNICEF Canada supporter.
Members of The 25th Team, have opportunities, at their own expense, to:
The 25th Team investments will be in five countries—Cambodia, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Namibia, Peru—focused on live-saving interventions in the following areas:
About UNICEF
UNICEF has saved more children's lives than any other humanitarian organization. We work tirelessly to help children and their families, doing whatever it takes to ensure children survive. We provide children with healthcare and immunization, clean water, nutrition and food security, education, emergency relief and more.
UNICEF is supported entirely by voluntary donations and helps children regardless of race, religion or politics. As part of the UN, we are active in over 190 countries - more than any other organization. Our determination and our reach are unparalleled. Because nowhere is too far to go to help a child survive. For more information about UNICEF, please visit www.unicef.ca.
SOURCE UNICEF Canada
Image with caption: "Baby Main Lisa with her mother Srey Roth in the Stung Meanchey Village of Cambodia. UNICEF Canada, The 25th Team and the Government of Canada have partnered to save the lives of the world’s most vulnerable women and children in Cambodia, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Namibia and Peru. Photo credit: © UNICEF/UNI165022/Lovell (CNW Group/UNICEF Canada)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20160517_C3460_PHOTO_EN_692634.jpg
To arrange interviews or for more information please contact: Tiffany Baggetta, UNICEF Canada, 416-482-6552 ext. 8892, 647-308-4806 (mobile), [email protected]
UNICEF is the world’s leading humanitarian organization focused on children. We work in the most challenging areas to provide protection, healthcare and immunizations, education, safe water and sanitation and nutrition. As part of the United Nations, our unrivaled reach...
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