When governments step back, philanthropy steps up

At UNICEF Aotearoa we’ve been amplifying the urgency for months now: the sudden withdrawal of aid without a mitigation plan is going to cost the lives of thousands of children - within just months. Clinics are closing, supply chains are stalling, and children are being turned away from life-saving treatment. It costs less than US$45 to save a child’s life. 

There has never been a more critical moment for private philanthropists to step in and make a real difference. And many around the world are heeding the call. As the article mentions, a British donor recently gave $20 million to help UNICEF deliver therapeutic food to children in need, a hugely impactive act that literally saved lives. 

So what is UNICEF’s role in the delivery of therapeutic food?  

Short answer… absolutely central and crucial!
 

• UNICEF purchases Ready to Use Therapeutic Food (RUTF) directly from manufacturers, often using funds from governments like those recently cancelled by USAID. 
• We manage distribution across dozens of countries, ensuring the lifesaving packets reach clinics and camps where children are treated. 
• UNICEF is the central logistical co-ordinator, with partners like the World Food Programme and local NGOs to transport and deliver the food. 
• We mobilise funding through initiatives like the Child Nutrition Fund, which matches government and philanthropic contributions to sustain supply. 

It's a time of unprecedented need...

And we’re now calling on New Zealand’s philanthropic leaders to join this global response. Your support can:

• Reopen clinics that have shut down 
• Restart stalled supply chains 
• And most importantly, save the lives of children who are literally running out of time. 

No child should die from hunger when we know what the solution is. If you’re ready to step up, please contact our Philanthropy team.