Islamic Relief Worldwide and UNICEF announce new global partnership to reach children at-risk
The agreement sees IRW in the multiple partnership roles of fundraising, implementing and advocacy
GENEVA, 7 December 2021 – Islamic Relief Worldwide (IRW) announced today it is scaling up its collaboration with UNICEF for a three-year period. In a first for both organizations, the agreement will see IRW and UNICEF as implementation and advocacy partners, as well as collaborating on fundraising in key areas.
Under the new agreement, UNICEF and IRW have committed to engage their networks, resources and expertise, activating national offices, partners and field offices globally to advance the rights of vulnerable and at risk children. Focus will be on climate change, education, youth engagement, gender justice and ending violence against children in all its forms.
“Faith-based organizations have long been key partners for UNICEF, helping us raise awareness, shape policies and support children in some of the toughest places,” said UNICEF Executive Director Henrietta Fore. “We thank Islamic Relief Worldwide for their continued, essential support. I hope that this new agreement can also provide inspiration to other faith organizations to join our work for children.”
IRW’s resource mobilization initiatives for UNICEF will complement appeals earlier this year in the UK and Canada to help UNICEF deliver COVID-19 vaccines in India, Yemen and the Middle East. Funds raised will be used in countries and sectors where IRW does not implement programmes.
Civil society and faith-based organizations play a crucial role to help UNICEF reach the most vulnerable and at risk children children through their trust-based connections in remote communities. IRW and UNICEF first joined forces in 2014, and most recently conducted advocacy for child rights and promoted polio immunization in communities in Kenya and Somalia. The organizations also work together on the social and behavior change flagship programme, Faith and Positive Change for Children.
The announcement comes as part of Islamic Relief Worldwide’s World Leader Statement for Children delivered today at the CY21 Forum by CEO, Waseem Ahmad.
“The challenges facing children and young people are significant, and particularly front of mind as we continue to respond to Covid-19 and reflect on our next steps in addressing the climate crisis in the aftermath of COP26. This dynamic and multi-disciplinary partnership will be vital in furthering our shared work for children,” said Mr. Ahmad.
IRW is a member of UNICEF’s Multifaith Giving Circle, a body established in 2021 to support inter-faith collaboration and faith-based giving to advance child rights and improve children’s lives.
For media enquiries, please contact:
Sohini Roychowdhury
Communication Specialist
UNICEF
Tel: +41 79433 5264
sroychowdhury@unicef.org
About Islamic Relief Worldwide
Islamic Relief Worldwide (IRW) is the world’s largest Muslim faith-inspired humanitarian organisation, working to save and transform the lives of the world’s most vulnerable people. Last year IRW provided vital support to more than 13.8 million people of all faiths and none, in 39 countries. Founded in 1984, IRW aims to make the world a better and fairer place for people living in poverty.
About UNICEF
UNICEF is the world’s largest children’s organization, working in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. Across 190 countries and territories, they work for every child, everywhere, to build a better world for everyone. For more information about UNICEF and its work for children, visit www.unicef.org
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