In light of G7 nations recent commitment of one billion vaccines for low-to-middle-income countries, UNICEF Australia has today convened leading executives from around the country to pledge their support to help bring an end to the global COVID-19 pandemic.
Eminent CEOs and executives from the resources, finance, travel, media, retail and ecommerce sectors joined the forum in Sydney and have established the COVID Vaccination Alliance of UNICEF Australia to support the global vaccine rollout.
“As we are dealing with a global health crisis, we need to work together more than we ever have before to help vaccinate the world,” said Chair of UNICEF Australia Ann Sherry AO.
“Private sector support and partnerships are vital to enabling the urgent rollout of the COVID-19 vaccine in low-to-middle-income countries to protect, for instance, essential workers so they in turn can do their jobs to keep communities, families and children safe. We are seeing an incredible response from different sectors already and our hope is that more business leaders and organisations will join the Alliance and support this history-making mission.”
The Vaccine Alliance has today committed to:
- Raising critical funds to support the work of COVAX through UNICEF Australia.
- Helping the Australian public access trusted and reliable information on Covid Vaccines to encourage uptake.
UNICEF Australia is working to raise $20 million from the private sector for the Alliance to support the urgent rollout of COVID-19 vaccines in low-to-middle-income countries. To date, only 1% of vaccines have been distributed to low-income countries compared with 47% to high-income countries.
Founding Members of the Alliance include Newcrest Mining, Cotton On Group, KPMG, the GHD Foundation and eBay Australia who have in total committed $5.3 million. Newcrest Mining has contributed close to $2.5 million to assist vaccine rollout in Papua New Guinea.
“The Alliance provides a platform for the private sector to support global COVID vaccine equality. Newcrest supports host communities in these most challenging of times and Papua New Guinea is no exception. The vaccine rollout in New Ireland Province reinforces our commitment to the health and safety of the people of PNG and our long-term commitment to the landowners and host communities,” said Newcrest Managing Director and CEO, Sandeep Biswas.
Cotton On Group CEO, Peter Johnson, said, “Through our Foundation’s unique fundraising model, we have supported vulnerable communities for the past 13 years. The impact of this pandemic has been felt right across the world and we’re proud to be part of the solution by helping communities get back on their feet.”
Founding Members of the Alliance, who have joined as Advocacy Members, are Qantas, News Corp, TikTok and the Australia PNG Business Council. They are playing a critical role in building public trust and encouraging vaccine take up in Australia by using their extensive reach to connect with communities.
Qantas, which has a long-term association with UNICEF Australia through its Change For Good program, recently announced plans to recognise those who receive vaccines with Frequent Flyer Points and flight vouchers. Group CEO Alan Joyce said Qantas was pleased to join the Alliance as part of the national carrier’s broader efforts on vaccine awareness.
“We know how important travel and trade is to Australia, not to mention the ability for family and friends to actually connect in person. Our nation has done an amazing job at managing COVID and a successful vaccine rollout is critical to being able to open up safely.”
Michael Miller, Executive Chairman of News Corp said, “A global pandemic requires a global solution and it is the responsibility of all of us - including private businesses and the media, to step up and look after those that are less fortunate. If we leave people, communities and countries behind, COVID will continue to dominate our lives.”
UNICEF Australia invites other companies, organisations and philanthropists to join the mission to end COVID for all.
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About UNICEF
UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. Across more than 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, to build a better world for everyone. During COVID-19, UNICEF is providing immediate relief and advocating for children to help them recover, rebound, reimagine and create a stronger future.
About the Alliance
The COVID Vaccination Alliance of UNICEF Australia has been established to support the COVID-19 vaccine rollout, and emergency pandemic outbreaks. The Alliance brings together leading Australian organisations, companies, and philanthropists to help UNICEF power the largest and fastest vaccine operation in human history by raising funds for the global rollout in vulnerable communities and helping to generate positive vaccine demand in Australia. For more information, visit COVID Vaccination Alliance of UNICEF Australia.
For more information about UNICEF Australia and its work for children, visit www.unicef.org.au
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