- New collaboration puts access to education at the centre of a strategy to deal with emergencies and its consequences
- TUI Care Foundation's global emergency relief activities to focus on support for UNICEF
2018 has signalled the beginning of a strong commitment between TUI Care Foundation and UNICEF to offer help in emergency situations. The agreement is part of the TUI Future Fund Programme of the Foundation and has a duration of four years.
UNICEF's belief that all children have a right to survive, thrive and fulfil their potential to benefit a better world goes hand in hand with TUI Care Foundation's ambition to enable children and youth to reach their full potential.
Emergency situations like earthquakes or hurricanes especially expose children and families and threaten their lives and well-being. Whenever a disaster strikes immediate action is therefore needed. Being present in 190 countries, UNICEF has a presence spanning the whole world and will in most cases be already present in the destination before a disaster strikes, as well as during and after the disaster relief operation.
Therefore TUI Care Foundation has chosen to focus on the support of UNICEF within its TUI Future Fund activities which offer emergency relief for children and youth in need when a disaster strikes - especially in a holiday destination.
Thomas Ellerbeck, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of TUI Care Foundation, explains: “When a disaster strikes children are always the most vulnerable group – they face the highest risk of violence, exploitation, disease and neglect. In the worst situations, entire generations of children are at risk of being deprived of their basic needs in health and education, with devastating consequences for their - and the countries - futures. We are proud to support UNICEF and especially its global emergency relief programme to help to build a better future for youth worldwide.”
Suzanne Laszlo, director of UNICEF Netherlands, says: “UNICEF cannot fulfil its mission to make this world a better place for children without the support of corporate foundations. We are very glad and grateful that TUI Care Foundation is supporting this important task. Every child has the right to grow up and develop healthily and in a safe environment. Our joint efforts will help protect the most vulnerable children”.
Education and emergency relief are strongly related. UNICEF figures reveal that nearly a quarter of the world’s children live in conflict or disaster-stricken countries. For children in emergencies, education can be a game changer or even lifesaving. Schools provide children with a stable and protective environment. In the long term education is key to economic growth, reduction of poverty and inequality. Moreover, it is a key contributor to peace and stability.
Despite its enormous benefits, education is often the first service suspended and the last service restored in crisis-affected communities. It also accounts for less than 2 per cent of total humanitarian aid. Providing textbooks and classroom kits, or setting up child-friendly spaces to learn in disaster zones can thus make a big difference for the communities affected when a disaster strikes.
TUI Care Foundation has also committed to support programmes in the UNICEF portfolio to provide education for disadvantaged children. The aim is to empower them to cope with challenges ahead and become the best possible next generation, strengthening their families and their society. Through these programmes governments, communities and parents are helped to ensure every child gets compulsory, free, quality education.