Kareena Kapoor Khan launches UNICEF #ChildhoodChallenge campaign to help children impacted by COVID-19
New Delhi: In support of life-saving work for children impacted by COVID-19, UNICEF India’s Celebrity Advocate, Kareena Kapoor Khan today launched the UNICEF India #ChildhoodChallenge campaign via her Instagram handle.
The campaign urges supporters to be part of a better future for every child by sharing their happiest childhood memories on social media using #ChildhoodChallenge, tagging @unicefindia, donating to UNICEF if they can and sharing the challenge on with three of their friends.
“A safe, healthy childhood is what has made me who I am today. But there are millions of children who are vulnerable and deprived of their rights. COVID-19 is making the situation worse for the most vulnerable children. As UNICEF’s celebrity advocate, I am pleased to launch in India the #ChildhoodChallenge to protect children and help give them a happy childhood. Together, we can reimagine a better future for every child,” said Kareena Kapoor Khan.
As the COVID-19 pandemic enters its seventh month, school closures, weakened health-systems, disrupted services and food shortages continue to threaten the lives of millions of children around the world. UNICEF estimates that globally, an additional 6,000 children could die every day from preventable causes over the next six months – almost all of them (over 90 percent) in low or lower-middle-income countries. The figure is approximately 300,000 additional child deaths in 6 months in India.
“We are very pleased that Kareena Kapoor Khan is supporting this important campaign for children at a time when it’s most needed. As UNICEF India’s celebrity advocate, she has always actively given her time and maximized her influence to garner results for children and women. We hope that many others will join her in supporting children during these critical times as they grapple with the consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Dr Yasmin Ali Haque, Representative, UNICEF India.
UNICEF India invites supporters to post a picture from their childhood on social media, donate the amount in Rupees of the year they were born (if they can) and nominate friends to take on the challenge to raise money and awareness so that together we can ensure a better childhood for the most vulnerable children.
Funds donated through the #ChildhoodChallenge will go to UNICEF’s Reimagine global campaign – an urgent appeal to governments, the public, donors and the private sector to support UNICEF’s efforts to respond, recover and reimagine a world currently besieged by COVID-19.
Money raised will help UNICEF respond to immediate needs by supporting governments in providing soap, masks, gloves, hygiene kits, protective equipment and life-saving information for children and families; support near term recovery efforts, including by supporting education, protection and healthcare systems; and further UNICEF’s work to reimagine a fairer, more just world for children.