According to a UN report launched earlier this month it was said, children have so far largely escaped the most severe symptoms of COVID-19 but the social and economic impact “is potentially catastrophic for millions of children.”
Swedish environmentalist Greta Thunberg (Photo by Kenzo TRIBOUILLARD / AFP)
17-year-old Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg has donated a $100,000 prize she won from a Danish foundation to the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) for use against the COVID-19 pandemic, the world body said Thursday. “Like the climate crisis, the coronavirus pandemic is a child rights crisis,” Thunberg, 17, was quoted as saying in the UNICEF statement.
“It will affect all children, now and in the long term, but vulnerable groups will be impacted the most,” she added. “I’m asking everyone to step up and join me in support of UNICEF’s vital work to save children’s lives, to protect health and continue education.”
Very honoured to receive Human Act Award. The prize money – USD 100’000 – will be donated to @unicef . Human Act will match this donation with an additional USD 100,000.
Today we’re launching a funding campaign to support UNICEF in the corona crisis. https://t.co/UuvPxsq9O6 pic.twitter.com/SsztkZIfbCAdvertisement
— Greta Thunberg (@GretaThunberg) April 30, 2020
The Danish anti-poverty non-governmental organization, Human Act, will match the $100,000 donation, the statement added.
UNICEF said the funds would give it a boost as it struggles to support children impacted by anti-virus lockdowns and school closures, particularly in the fields of “food shortages, strained health care systems, violence and lost education.”
Thunberg said at the end of March that she had “likely” contracted the coronavirus, after experiencing several symptoms after a trip to central Europe. The Danish anti-poverty non-governmental organization, Human Act, will match the $100,000 donation, the statement added.
According to a UN report launched earlier this month it was said, children have so far largely escaped the most severe symptoms of COVID-19 but the social and economic impact “is potentially catastrophic for millions of children.”
It said COVID-19 is turning into “a broader child-rights crisis.”
“All children, of all ages and in all countries, are affected,” it said. “However, some children are destined to bear the greatest costs.” Those badly hit will be children living in slums, refugee and displacement camps, conflict zones, institutions and detention centers and youngsters with disabilities, the report said.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warned in a video statement launching the report that the coronavirus pandemic is putting many of the world’s children “in jeopardy” and urged families everywhere and leaders at all levels to “protect our children.”
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