COVID-19: UNICEF Spain makes first delivery of health supplies to fight Coronavirus

MADRID, April 8 2020- UNICEF Spain has delivered a first batch of medical supplies to the Spanish health authorities to support the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic. The shipment includes 48,000 batches of hand sanitiser and 7,200 gloves, which have been provided to the health authorities for further distribution. More supplies are expected in the coming days, including 418,000 masks, 1,042,000 gloves, 100,000 detection kits, 1,000 pieces of personal protective equipment and other 44,600 hand sanitisers to respond to the coronavirus outbreak in the country.

"Right now, we are making these supplies available to the Spanish health authorities so that they can distribute it in the way they deem appropriate and, as soon as possible, to reach those who need it most, including healthcare personnel who are working on the front line helping all patients with COVID-19 ”, said Gustavo Suárez Pertierra, President of UNICEF Spain. "As well as sending supplies, in the face of this unprecedented emergency, we have put forward a series of proposals to the Government with the aim of ensuring that, even in the state of crisis, children, who make up almost one in five of the Spanish population, continue to have their rights upheld,” Pertierra added.

UNICEF has extensive experience in responding to emergencies around the world, and this significant effort would not be possible without the solidarity and support of partners, allies, companies, friends, and ambassadors of UNICEF Spain and society in general. This wide support has contributed to the protection of those working on the front line against the virus, strengthening health systems and helping protect the most vulnerable children from the impacts of COVID-19.

The effort in Spain is part of UNICEF's global COVID-19 response, working with the World Health Organization (WHO) through the historic COVID-19 Solidarity Response Fund, promoted by the United Nations Foundation and Swiss Philanthropic Foundation. This COVID-19 Solidarity Response Fund has been created to facilitate an unprecedented global response by supporting the Strategic Preparedness and Response Plan of the World Health Organization (WHO). As part of the agreement, an initial portion of the Fund's financial resources, which currently totals more than $127 million, will go to UNICEF for its work with vulnerable children and communities around the world.

How to support the fight against COVID-19 in Spain:

UNICEF Spain has launched a fundraising campaign to contribute to the fight against the coronavirus. Anyone interested in supporting the campaign can do so through the following channels:

• On the website www.unicef.es
• In the form www.unicef.es/donacion-emergencia-coronavirus
• If you are in Spain, calling the freephone number 900 907 500 (Monday to Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. and Saturdays from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.)
• If you are a company, write to Empresas@unicef.es