United support UNICEF's Indonesia appeal
Manchester United has supported its global charity partner, UNICEF, in the aid appeal following last month’s devastating earthquake and tsunami in Indonesia.
The club has made a donation to help children affected by the disaster, which is thought to have affected 1.5 million people.
Search and rescue efforts are continuing as teams search for survivors under collapsed buildings after the 7.5 magnitude earthquake struck just off the central island of Sulawesi on 29 September, which subsequently triggered a tsunami with waves of up to six metres high. By 9 October, 2,010 people had been confirmed dead, with over 10,000 people injured or seriously missing.
Mike Penrose, Executive Director of UNICEF UK, said: “On behalf of UNICEF, I want to say a huge thank you to Manchester United and its players for responding so quickly with support following the devastating earthquake in Indonesia.
“Children are in desperate need of life-saving food, water and medicine as well as a safe space to learn and be protected. It is our aim to ensure that children caught up in emergencies like this have the chance to rebuild their lives – through access to quick and sustainable support.
“Manchester United’s donation will enable UNICEF to reach and protect even more of the most vulnerable children.”In the aftermath of the disaster, a number of Reds posted positive messages on social media, including David De Gea and Paul Pogba.
Prayers to Indonesia, stay strong 🙏🏾 #PrayforPalu #PrayforIndonesia
— Paul Pogba (@paulpogba) September 30, 2018
What a feeling of sadness and sorrow. We're with you Indonesia 🇮🇩 https://t.co/90wtXaWjKC
— David de Gea (@D_DeGea) September 30, 2018
United have been working in partnership with UNICEF, the world’s leading children’s organisation, for the last 19 years, helping to create a safer world for young people. The club also holds an annual United for UNICEF Gala Dinner, which raised more than £170,000 last year.
The United for UNICEF partnership is the longest running of its kind between a football club and a global children’s organisation and to date has raised over £4 million, helping to change the lives of millions of children worldwide.
HOW CAN I DONATE?
Last week, UNICEF launched a combined emergency and recovery appeal to meet the urgent humanitarian needs of children over the next six months. The funds will help provide water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH), health, nutrition, education and child protection services for an estimated 475,000 children, as part of the response led by the Government of Indonesia.
Fans can make a donation to the appeal by visiting https://www.unicef.org.uk/donate/indonesia-tsunami-donate-and-keep-children-safe-man-utd/.
If you live in the United Kingdom and would prefer to make a donation by phone, you can call UNICEF’s dedicated donation line on 0300 034 9993.