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The International Cricket Council (ICC) through its Cricket for Good initiative on Thursday, launched a fundraising campaign to support UNICEF’s emergency COVID-19 response in South Asia. The campaign was launched at the inaugural World Test Championship Final being played in Southampton between India and New Zealand from June 18 to 22, 2021.
COVID-19 had a devastating impact on South Asia, which is home to nearly 2 billion people, and more than a quarter of the world’s children. The sheer scale and speed of the latest surge of COVID-19 across the region have outstripped countries’ abilities to provide life-saving treatment and essential services.
As part of its COVID-19 response, UNICEF works closely with governments and partners in the region reaching families with information and technical support on health, child protection and education, water, sanitation, and hygiene as well as support in vaccine rollout.
ICC’s support to UNICEF at this critical time will harness the power and reach of cricket, one of the world’s most popular sports, to safeguard the lives and futures of children. As part of the campaign, ICC will leverage its audience base on its digital channels to contribute to UNICEF. ICC with UNICEF shall display joint appeals on its digital platforms, LED perimeter boards and replay screens at the venue, for its broadcast audiences to donate directly to UNICEF’s donation platform.
George Laryea-Adjei, UNICEF Regional Director for South Asia said: “The sheer speed and scale of infection across South Asia has been alarming, and fragile health systems have been pushed to the brink. UNICEF is on the ground with partners to deliver lifesaving support and ensure essential health services for children and women continue operating. ICC’s Cricket for Good initiative will allow us to raise vital funds to continue delivering lifesaving supplies and services to children and families in South Asia.”
Geoff Allardice, Acting CEO International Cricket Council said: “The devastation that the COVID-19 pandemic has caused in South Asia has been heartbreaking with vulnerable children among the most affected. By partnering with UNICEF to support their COVID 19 relief work, we can use the global platform provided by the inaugural World Test Championship Final to raise urgent funds that can make a real difference. We appeal to cricket fans around the world to come together to show their support for the work of UNICEF at such a difficult time and donate to such a worthwhile cause.”
About Cricket for Good
Cricket for Good is the ICC’s global community outreach programme, aimed at leveraging the vast power and reach of cricket to transform the lives of children and families worldwide.