São Paulo – The Brazilian chapter of the United Nations Children’s Fund (Unicef) has launched a campaign to raise funds among the population in order to help provide humanitarian aid to Syrian children and their families, whose lives are being affected by conflicts in the country.
Donations can be made by telephone, online, or via bank deposits. The campaign’s website is entirely written in Portuguese, and funds may be donated using a credit card, or via direct debit.
At this time, over 3 million Syrian children are living in extreme poverty, suffering excessive displacements, and exposed to the dangers of the conflicts which have swept the country. A million Syrian children are living as refugees.
“This one millionth child refugee is not just another number,” said Unicef executive director Anthony Lake, according to a press release. “This is a real child ripped from home, maybe even from a family, facing horrors we can only begin to comprehend,” he said.
“We must all share the shame […] because while we work to alleviate the suffering of those affected by this crisis, the global community has failed in its responsibility to this child. We should stop and ask ourselves how, in all conscience, we can continue to fail the children of Syria”, said Lake.
According to the Unicef website, the campaign counts on the solidarity of Brazilian people. Thus far, only 38% have been raised of the US$ 3 billion needed to meet the needs of Syrian refugees up until December this year.
Those willing to help Syrian kids and their families can donate via the website http://migre.me/g4qWS, make a free call to 0800-605-2020 (business hours), or make a deposit on Banco Bradesco, branch 3416-9, account 142.700-8.
Unicef Brazil is not accepting donations of foods, clothing, toys etc. All of the funds will be spent on purchasing products in the region to avert freight-related expenses.
For additional information on Unicef Brazil’s initiative to support Syrian children go to www.unicef.org/brazil/pt/media_26015.htm.
*Translated by Gabriel Pomerancblum
