Italy donates $1 million to UNICEF efforts for children

The government of Italy on Thursday pledged support for the children of the DRC with a donation of approximately US $1 million to UNICEF. UNICEF said in a statement that the donation coincided with the visit of the agency’s Executive Director, Carol Bellamy, who arrives in the DRC this week to take part in a series of National Immunisation Days (NIDs). “The Italian government has shown, once again, its determination to channel resources to children in the greatest need,” Bellamy said. Part of the donation will support the revitalisation of the country’s inadequate primary health services. “Support for the health services in the DRC is absolutely critical at this time,” Bellamy said. “Around 70 percent of people are thought to have little or no access to health care. But the health network is still in place and this, combined with the dedication of the country’s health workers, provides a foundation for the rebuilding of the primary health system. The Italian contribution will assist in this rebuilding.” These funds will also provide support for the most vulnerable displaced and refugee children and women. Over 2 million people have been uprooted from their homes in DRC as a result of the conflict, the vast majority of them women and children, UNICEF noted. The agency is responding with a range of services, including educational support for around 50,000 displaced children due to start the school year in September. UNICEF is appealing for a total of $15 million as part of this year’s Consolidated Inter-Agency Appeal for DRC. The Italian contribution brings the total received to $8 million. Meanwhile, the Italian government has also announced additional support to UNICEF’s global work by adding approximately $2 million to its current year contribution to UNICEF’s core funding, also known as “regular resources”. “Regular resources provide seed money for our work and ensure that it can be sustained,” Bellamy said. “They give UNICEF staying power, and are a benchmark of long-term commitment to children’s rights - a commitment demonstrated by the government of Italy with this increased contribution.”