The UNICEF Tap Project Transforms World's Largest Social Network into a Water Network to Save Kids

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Mar 06, 2013, 09:13 ET

UNICEF Ambassadors Angie Harmon, Alyssa Milano and Marcus Samuelsson, UNICEF Supporters Heidi Klum and Nas, along with Judd Apatow, Kristen Bell, Jeff Bridges, Common, Kat Graham, Bridgit Mendler, Seth Rogen, Emmy Rossum, Kevin Spacey, Sting and Kate Walsh, take to social media to help provide clean water for children

NEW YORK, March 6, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Starting today Facebook users can help provide children around the world with access to clean water and sanitation and urge their friends and family to do the same. The seventh annual UNICEF Tap Project, a national fundraising and awareness campaign, is going digital this year, turning the social network into a water network that has the power to save lives.

Waterborne illnesses are the second leading cause of preventable childhood deaths in the world—killing nearly 4,000 children under the age of five every day. With $5, UNICEF can provide one child with access to safe, clean water for 200 days.

"More young kids die from dirty water and poor sanitation than from measles, malaria, and AIDS combined," said Caryl Stern, President and CEO of the U.S. Fund for UNICEF. "Across the developing world, children often walk miles to the nearest source to gather water for their families, forcing them to miss out on an education. UNICEF believes that ZERO children should be deprived of clean water and basic sanitation."

Launched for World Water Month, the UNICEF Tap Project Facebook app turns the social network's users into "taps" and their connections into "pipes" ready to be filled with water. By donating $5 to the UNICEF Tap Project via text message or PayPal, each participant can choose two friends to receive water and the opportunity to donate. As Facebook users begin to grow the water network via the UNICEF Tap Project app, they will be able to see the web of connections around them carry water from friend to friend and the impact of their donation on the lives of children around the world. To learn more about the UNICEF Tap Project and access the water network, visit www.UNICEFTapProject.org.

UNICEF Ambassadors Angie Harmon, Alyssa Milano and Marcus Samuelsson, UNICEF Supporters Heidi Klum and Nas, along with other celebrities including Judd Apatow, Kristen Bell, Jeff Bridges, Common, Kat Graham, Bridgit Mendler, Seth Rogen, Emmy Rossum, Kevin Spacey, Sting and Kate Walsh, are lending their support to help save children's lives by starting their own water networks or by Tweeting about the campaign.

Giorgio Armani Fragrances is returning as national sponsor of the UNICEF Tap Project. Since 2010, the company has donated $1.3 million and raised awareness to help UNICEF improve access to safe, clean water for children worldwide through its Acqua for Life campaign. For the month of March, Giorgio Armani Fragrances will donate $5 to the U.S. Fund for UNICEF for each Acqua di Gio, Acqua di Gioia, Acqua di Gio Essenza, and Acqua di Gioia Eau Fraiche spray cologne or gift set purchased in the United States. Giorgio Armani Fragrances will also donate $1 for the first 50,000 people who "like" the "Acqua for Life" Facebook page at www.facebook.com/acquaforlife from March 1-31.

UNICEF works in more than 100 countries around the world to improve access to safe water and sanitation facilities in schools and communities and to promote safe hygiene practices. Since 1990, thanks to the work of UNICEF and its partners, more than 2 billion people have gained access to clean drinking water.

The UNICEF Tap Project has raised more than $3.5 million for water and sanitation programs benefiting children in Belize, Cameroon, the Central African Republic, Cote d'Ivoire, Guatemala, Haiti, Iraq, Mauritania, Togo, and Vietnam. The annual campaign was created in partnership with advertising agency Droga5 and is supported by media partner MediaVest.

About UNICEF
The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) works in more than 190 countries and territories to save and improve children's lives, providing health care and immunizations, clean water and sanitation, nutrition, education, emergency relief and more. The U.S. Fund for UNICEF supports UNICEF's work through fundraising, advocacy, and education in the United States. Together, we are working toward the day when zero children die from preventable causes and every child has a safe and healthy childhood. For more information, visit www.unicefusa.org.

SOURCE U.S. Fund for UNICEF