Source: ChildFund New Zealand
“Increasing global volatility, ongoing wars and reduced access to water and nutrition are hurting children in our region and across the world,’ says Josie Pagani, CEO of ChildFund New Zealand.
Today is World Children’s Day.
– 1 in 4 children live in a country affected by conflict or disaster
– Children in crisis settings account for half of all under-five deaths
– 339,000 children are born into displacement every year.
“World Children’s Day is a reminder that every child, no matter where they are born, deserves access to clean water, decent food, and an education” says Josie Pagani.
Last week, ChildFund NZ launched two controversial campaigns (Her First Sip and Deadly Weapon), to highlight the preventable child sicknesses and deaths in the Pacific region due to limited access to clean water.
“Only 16% of school children in the Solomon Islands have access to clean, safe drinking water. We’re only a few hours away by plane from children, in our own region, who are suffering or worse, and missing out on school, simply from lack of access to clean water.”
“In Kiribati, only 27% of households have access to safe drinking water.”
“Since launching this campaign, we have received very positive feedback, but also some alarming hate mail.”
Previously, Josie Pagani said “We make no apology for offending you” in response to the shock of ChildFund NZ’s campaign.
Some negative comments on their social media include ” what kind of fkn ads that?”
ChildFund New Zealand is a member of the ChildFund Alliance, a network of ten child focused organisations across the world focusing on helping children in places like Ukraine, Gaza, Sudan and anywhere children are at risk.
The ChildFund Alliance reached 36 million children across 66 countries last year, with programmes protecting children from violence or abuse; providing emergency education during wars and disasters; psychosocial support to help children heal from trauma; and bringing clean water and decent food to children who have neither, and much more.
“On this global day of recognising children at risk across the world, we ask New Zealanders to support the work of charities like ours,” says Josie Pagani
