Caused by drought, disease, displacement and conflict in some African countries, including Ethiopia, Nigeria, Somalia and South Sudan, a chronic shortage of water and food supplies has caused humanitarian crises on a large scale.
In response to the much-needed help in those areas, Unicef Thailand has launched a campaign entitled "Thai For Children In Africa", urgently requesting donations from the Thai public to help save over 1.3 million children who are at risk of dying from severe acute malnutrition.
Anand Panyarachun, Unicef Thailand goodwill ambassador, said in a recent press conference: "As human beings, we can't be complacent about the situation. We can't let children die from what we can prevent. A child is a child, regardless of its nationality. As Unicef is racing against time and doing its best, we are also facing a financial gap. I urge Thai people to help save these children's lives through the campaign. You don't need super powers to save a child's life, just the willingness to take action today."
At healthcare centres across the four countries, Unicef is working with partners to save children's lives by providing therapeutic food and other urgent treatment for severe acute malnutrition. In 2018, Unicef aims to provide therapeutic feeding treatment to one million children suffering from severe acute malnutrition. In the first three months of this year, nearly 200,000 children under the age of five in the four countries have already received this life-saving treatment.
Thomas Davin, Anand Panyarachun and Davika Hoorne. UNICEF
"Unicef is now helping children with therapeutic food who suffer from inadequate quantity and quality of food intake. We also provide other assistance in areas of healthcare and vaccination services, access to clean water and education funding," said Thomas Davin, Unicef representative for Thailand.
Davika Hoorne, a friend of Unicef and a major supporter of the campaign, also urged the Thai public to lend their support.
"Children may struggle to death if they aren't given assistance in time. Providing therapeutic food is the easiest and most effective way due to its abundance of various nutrients and long shelf life. Please help save children's lives before it's too late," she said.
The Thai campaign aims to raise 15 million baht for procuring therapeutic food, medical supplies, and other life-saving items. For donations, type 100 and send a SMS to 4712225 to donate 100 baht or visit help.unicef.org/thaiforchildreninafrica.
