The Z Zurich Foundation has announced the continuation of its fundraising campaign to help UNICEF’s efforts to deliver 2 billion doses of COVID-19 vaccines globally by end of 2021. The campaign, which to date has helped deliver more than 2.5 million doses of vaccine, will run until the end of the year. The Z Zurich Foundation is committing to match funds raised up to CHF 2.5 million (approximately $2.7 million depending on currency exchange rates).
“There is a global movement to ensure everyone has a chance to be protected from COVID-19, and we applaud everyone who has been supporting it, through our own initiative or others,” said Gregory Renand, Head of the Z Zurich Foundation. “Every commitment counts to provide equitable access to vaccination.”
This commitment follows initial donations made by the Z Zurich Foundation to help UNICEF deliver over 1.1 million doses globally through the COVID-19 Vaccine Global Access Facility (COVAX Facility). The Z Zurich Foundation has also launched various local fundraising campaigns in collaboration with the local business units and employees of Zurich Insurance Group (Zurich) around the world, inviting contributions from communities, including Zurich’s suppliers, distributors, customers and the public.
“As citizens in wealthy countries begin to return and resume their lives in a post-vaccination world, for low-income countries the future is still uncertain, with the vaccine roll-out slow and uneven,” said Carla Haddad Mardini, UNICEF’s Director of Private Sector Fundraising and Partnerships. “UNICEF welcomes this expanded commitment from the Z Zurich Foundation to continue raising valuable resources and help us in our mission to deliver COVID-19 vaccines to where they are needed most.”
“Many colleagues, customers, distributors and community members in North America have stepped up to support this global COVID-19 vaccine fundraising campaign with the Z Zurich Foundation and UNICEF,” said Kristof Terryn, CEO of Zurich North America and a Z Zurich Foundation Board Member. “As we achieve broader vaccination in our local communities, we have not forgotten that many people remain vulnerable around the world.”
UNICEF and partners have been working tirelessly on the largest vaccination procurement and supply program in history to vaccinate frontline health care and social workers, as well as high-risk and vulnerable people around the world. Through the COVAX Facility, together with Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI), UNICEF is leveraging its unique experience as the largest single vaccine buyer in the world by working with manufacturers and partners on the procurement and supply of COVID-19 vaccine doses.
Together with WHO, the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), GAVI and other partners at the global and regional levels, UNICEF is also working to support countries in preparing for their COVID-19 vaccine roll-out. This includes assessing capacity and helping countries to strengthen their cold storage capabilities and supply chains to ensure the countries have adequate infrastructure to transport and store the vaccines.
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