Open letter to philanthropists from the UNICEF International Council
18 May 2021
Fellow philanthropists,
Bringing the pandemic to an end is within our power.
We, the members of UNICEF’s International Council – a collective of over 70 individual philanthropic partners committed to improving children’s lives – are standing alongside UNICEF as it leverages decades of experience vaccinating nearly half the world’s children each year, into the most ambitious global vaccine delivery operation the world has ever seen.
UNICEF is the key delivery partner of the COVAX facility – a global alliance established to guarantee fair and equitable access to COVID-19 vaccines, tests and treatments. It aims to help deliver at least two billion vaccine doses by the end of 2021 in more than 180 countries.
Looking to the year ahead, we all have a vested interest in ensuring that COVID-19 vaccines are rapidly distributed and equitably delivered. Some countries are beginning to see COVID-19 cases decreasing, while in other countries cases are increasing at alarming rates and overwhelming their health systems. In order to achieve worldwide success, we must reach every country urgently. The pandemic won’t truly end for anyone until it ends for everyone.
We believe private philanthropists are uniquely placed to respond to this global emergency and help UNICEF close the funding gaps – an estimated need of US$659 million this year. Thanks to the agility and speed of private grant making, our funds can help accelerate the vaccine roll-out, respond quickly to changing circumstances, and enable UNICEF to work with countries not just to deliver vaccines to people but to invest in sustainable improvements in health-care systems, tackle misinformation, and engage communities – all things that UNICEF does best.
This is an urgent call to action to save lives and give children the future that they deserve. Please join us by supporting UNICEF to deliver history. Please contact internationalcouncil@unicef.org for more information.
Co-signed by:
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Aaron and Catie Enrico, United States |
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Andy Astrachan – AJA Foundation, United States |
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Asher and Kendra Simon, United States |
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Barbara and Edward Shapiro, United States |
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Bernard Taylor, Sr., United States |
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Bill and Cindee Dietz, United States |
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Carey Garrett, Canada |
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Carrie D. Rhodes-Nigam and Vishal Nigam, United States |
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Charlotte and Peter Bolland, United Kingdom |
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Cillian and Siobhan Ryan, South Africa |
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Djaffar Shalchi, Denmark |
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Dolores Rice Gahan, D.O., United States |
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Dr. Xiang Hu, China |
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Elena Marimo Berk, United States |
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G. Barrie Landry, United States |
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George and Danielle Boutros, United States |
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Gloria Principe and John O’Farrell, United States |
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Holger Feist, Germany |
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Jamie, Chuck and Lucy Meyer, United States |
| Jen Rubio and Stewart Butterfield, United States |
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Kaia Miller Goldstein and Jono Goldstein, United States |
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Kambara (Sun) Kenta, Japan |
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Kambara (Sun) Miky, Japan |
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Kambara (Sun) Shintaro, Japan |
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Kin Bing Wu, United States |
| Kirsty and Eric Bendahan – ELEVA Foundation, United Kingdom |
| Luisa Panconesi, Italy |
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Maria Ahlström Bondestam, Anna Tornivuori, Helena Nahi, Joanna Danielsson, Malin Ahlström, Johanna Ahlström, Laura Meyer – Eva Ahlström Foundation, Finland |
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Mark and Allie Allyn, United States |
| Melody Wilder Wilson, United States |
| Naza Alakija, United Kingdom |
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Pasi Joronen, Finland |
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Purvi and Harsh Padia, United States |
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Rachel Simon, United States |
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Richard Hirayama, United States |
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Sarah Simon, United States |
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Sippi and Ajay Khurana, United States |
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Steve Eaton, United States |
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Susan and Dan Boggio, United States |
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Susan and Stefan Findel, United States and Germany |
| Susan Littlefield and Martin Roper, United States |
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Tina Srowig, Germany |
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Téa Leoni, United States |
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The Charles Engelhard Foundation, United States |
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Wendy and Frank Serrino, United States |
About the UNICEF International Council
The UNICEF International Council is a global community of individuals who have made significant philanthropic commitments to UNICEF and who are committed to improve children’s lives by leveraging their time, funding, perspectives and networks. As a select and motivated group of donors, Council members aim to advance the rights of every child through their combined investment, influence and expertise.
The Council hosts an annual symposium, as well as thematic working groups and other engagement opportunities, that provide Council members the opportunity to learn from one another, interact with the UNICEF leadership team and identify opportunities for collaboration and joint investment. Working hand in hand with UNICEF, Council members seek to identify the most pressing challenges facing children worldwide and demonstrate how strategic philanthropy can catalyse solutions and greater impact for children.