For the Future of Every Filipino Child

MANILA, 2 October 2020 – UNICEF Philippines launches Basket of Hope 2020, a fundraising campaign to help prevent COVID-19 from being a lasting crisis for children.

Today, children around the world are even more vulnerable. On top of the risk of COVID-19, they face greater hurdles to receive education, protection, immunization, and the support they need to enjoy full, healthy lives.

In the Philippines, 2.4 million children below five years old are at risk of getting measles due to low immunization coverage and constrained access to health services. One in three children are stunted due to poor nutrition and care practices. An estimated 28 million children are affected by school closures.

“It is important now more than ever to help these disadvantaged Filipino children. Brighter days are possible when we all pitch in. By donating to the UNICEF Basket of Hope, you are contributing to a child’s right to survive and thrive, especially in the new normal,” UNICEF Philippines Representative Oyunsaikhan Dendevnorov says.

The huge economic impact of the pandemic has left families poorer, exacerbating risks and long-term effects to children’s safety, health, and proper growth. But UNICEF believes that there is still a better future waiting for all children. It will not be easy, but if each individual does their part, this future can be attained together.

With Basket of Hope, UNICEF aims to give the Filipino community a platform to pitch in, share, and pay it forward. The campaign was first launched in 2019 as UNICEF’s Christmas campaign to help disadvantaged Filipino children in the areas of education, nutrition, and water, sanitation, and hygiene, raising over PHP 3 million.

This 2020, donating to the Basket of Hope will help Filipino children get access to vaccines, education, nutrition, hygiene, and life-saving interventions. Donations directly fund COVID-19 safety supplies and services that include protection and sanitation supplies given to health facilities, improved access to immunization for children under age 5, and continued education for elementary students through home-based learning materials and making e-learning accessible to elementary students.

Donors get to choose the cause they want to support and donate online with just a few clicks. One can also donate to the UNICEF Basket of Hope on behalf of family and friends, instead of giving physical gifts for special occasions.

A donation, no matter how small, can make a big impact in achieving children’s rights. With everyone’s help, UNICEF will do whatever it takes to ensure children and their families get the urgent support they need.

The UNICEF Basket of Hope campaign is led by UNICEF’s Goodwill Ambassadors Gary Valenciano, Daphne Oseña-Paez, and Anne Curtis with the support of other friends of UNICEF. Fill the future with hope and donate to the UNICEF Basket of Hope today.

Donate to the UNICEF Basket of Hope today by visiting https://inspiredgifts.unicef.ph/basketofhope