U.S. Fund for UNICEF Appealing for Donations to Provide Critical Relief for Children and Families in Japan

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Mar 18, 2011, 04:08 ET

100% of donations will go to Japan relief efforts -- funding needed for items in short supply such as diapers and hygiene kits

NEW YORK, March 18, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- UNICEF, together with other UN agencies, will be providing essential services in the days ahead to those affected by the catastrophe in Japan.

In all emergencies of such devastating magnitude, children are the most vulnerable. The U.S. Fund for UNICEF is raising funds to provide targeted assistance on the ground, where it is needed most. This assistance will include essential items such as diapers and hygiene kits. Other supplies will likely include recreational materials and educational items like "school-in-a-box" in preparation for the new school year beginning in early April.

Part of UNICEF's assistance will likely include technical and specialist expertise in support of on-going national-level relief efforts. Anticipated areas of focus include child protection, education, and psycho-social support.

"In the aftermath of disasters it is critically important for children to regain a sense of normalcy," said President and CEO of the U.S. Fund for UNICEF Caryl Stern. "UNICEF is deeply committed to getting children affected by these terrible events in Japan the support, services, and protection they need to be healthy and remain safe."

The response will be led by the Japan Committee for UNICEF, working in conjunction with the UNICEF Tokyo office and headquarters. One hundred percent of donations will be directed to the Japan Committee for UNICEF, which has a well-established network of relationships with private citizens, local NGOs, volunteers, schools and the business community in Japan. It is this front-line network that is helping identify children in need of support, and the best programs and approaches by which to make this possible.

The government of Japan is also a close ally in UNICEF's work to save and improve children's lives, consistently among the organization's top donors to regular programs and emergency programs. In fact, UNICEF operates a separate office in Tokyo for fundraising and advocacy with the Japanese government. UNICEF's 60-year collaboration with Japan is one of the most significant in its history. UNICEF first provided powdered milk to Japanese children in 1949; Japan made its first contribution to the organization a year later.

UNICEF is the world's leading organization for children and has extensive experience in addressing the unique needs of children who have survived trauma related to natural and man-made crises.

For more information or to make a tax-deductible contribution to relief efforts in Japan please contact the U.S. Fund for UNICEF:

Web site: www.unicefusa.org/japan

Text: Text JAPAN to 864233 to donate $10

Toll free: 1-800-FOR-KIDS (1-800-367-5437)

Mail: 125 Maiden Lane, New York, NY 10038

Should America's generosity exceed Japan's needs, the remaining dollars will be allocated to assist children most in need around the globe.

About UNICEF

UNICEF has saved more children's lives than any other humanitarian organization in the world. Working in more than 150 countries, UNICEF provides children with health care, clean water, 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.

UNICEF is at the forefront of efforts to reduce child mortality worldwide. There has been substantial progress: the annual number of under-five deaths dropped from 13 million in 1990 to 8.8 million in 2008. But still, 22,000 children die each day from preventable causes. Our mission is to do whatever it takes to make that number zero by giving children the essentials for a safe and healthy childhood. For more information, visit www.unicefusa.org.

SOURCE U.S. Fund for UNICEF