Greta Thunberg and the NGO Human Act Support UNICEF by Launching a Campaign Against Coronavirus from the Perspective of Children’s Rights

Environmental activist Greta Thunberg launched on the 30th of April 2020 a campaign from the perspective of children’s rights, together with the Danish NGO Human Act, to support UNICEF’s efforts to combat the COVID-19 pandemic and protect children from direct and indirect consequences. The latter include food shortages, overburdening health systems, violence and lack of access to education.

“Like the ecological crisis, the coronavirus pandemic is a crisis that affects the rights of the child,” Greta Thunberg said. “It affects all children, in the short and long term, but the greatest impact will be felt by vulnerable groups. I call on everyone to take action and join me in supporting UNICEF’s vital work to save children’s lives, protect their health and further their education. ”

The campaign is launched with a first donation to UNICEF from the Human Act and the Greta Thunberg Foundation, worth $ 200,000. Greta Thunberg was recently awarded for her global activism by the Human Act, which awarded her foundation a $ 100,000 prize. This amount will now reach UNICEF, along with another $ 100,000 donation from the Human Act.

Funds raised from the campaign will be directed to emergency programs implemented by UNICEF to combat COVID-19, such as the provision of soap, masks, gloves, hygiene kits, protective equipment, vital information and other support to health systems.

According to a warning issued by a report published this month by the United Nations, children are at risk of being among the biggest victims of the COVID-19 pandemic. Although, so far, they have been largely spared the direct effects of the disease, the crisis has a profound impact on their overall well-being. All children, of all ages and in all countries, are affected, in particular by the socio-economic impact and, in some cases, by the measures taken to prevent the spread of the disease.

UNICEF’s global response to COVID-19 aims to work with its partners to reduce the transmission of the virus and its impact on children, while ensuring the continuation of essential services for children. This means:

• ensuring access to and availability of key supplies and services for children, women and the vulnerable population;
• promoting messages about hand washing with soap ;
• supporting governments by providing personal protective equipment for medical staff, including coveralls, gloves and masks, as well as oxygen concentrators and medicines;
• supporting distance learning opportunities for children without access to school;
• providing support for mental health and psychosocial support to affected children and families;
• ensuring the continuation of essential vaccination and other services for children.
  “The coronavirus pandemic is the biggest crisis mankind has faced in decades,” said UNICEF Executive Director Henrietta Fore. “Children and young people are among the categories most affected by the side effects of COVID-19, so it is natural for them to want to get involved. Through her activism, Greta Thunberg has shown that young people are ready to take action and bring about change worldwide. UNICEF is very pleased that Greta and her supporters have chosen not only to fight this pandemic, but also to do so together with UNICEF. ”