ICC Provides Support To UNICEF's COVID-19 Relief Efforts in South Asia

The International Cricket Council (ICC) on Thursday launched a fundraising campaign to support UNICEF’s emergency COVID-19 response in South Asia. The campaign was launched through ICC’s Cricket for Good initiative at the inaugural World Test Championship Final being played in Southampton between India and New Zealand from June 18. Meanwhile, rain has played a spoilsport in the start of the final. There will be no play in the first half due to constant rain.

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a devastating impact on South Asia which is home to two billion people and more than a quarter of the world’s children. The current surge in the number of positive cases in the continent has made various countries unable to provide much-needed financial and health care support.

The region has recorded a mammoth 30 million COVID-19 cases and over 400,000 deaths. The virus has had a direct impact on children, with many more falling ill than before. Many children are losing their parents to the pandemic. Previously during the first phase, as many as 2,28000 children died due to lack of healthcare services.

The ICC has come out with a statement on its plans to partner with UNICEF and work for the region providing financial support.

“As part of its COVID-19 response, UNICEF works closely with governments and partners in the region reaching families with information and technical support on health, child protection and education, water, sanitation, and hygiene as well as support in vaccine rollout,” said the ICC in a release.

All the funds raised through the various campaign will be used for the UNICEF COVID-19 emergency response in South Asia. By partnering together, UNICEF and International Cricket Council will support communities and marginalized people to weather this storm and prevent further disruptions to essential health services for women and children.

ICC Acting Chief Geoff Allardice On Working With UNICEF For COVID Relief

The ICC Acting CEO Geoff Allardice expressed his concern on the raging impact of COVID-19 on the whole of South Asia. In a statement, he said that the impact has been heartbreaking.

“The devastation that the COVID-19 pandemic has caused in South Asia has been heart breaking with vulnerable children among the most affected. By partnering with UNICEF to support their COVID 19 relief work, we can use the global platform provided by the inaugural World Test Championship Final to raise urgent funds that can make a real difference. We appeal to cricket fans around the world to come together to show their support for the work of UNICEF at such a difficult time and donate to such a worthwhile cause” said Geoff.

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