COVID-19: UNICEF, FICCI join hands for action plan to support vulnerable populations

The Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry's (FICCI)-Socio Economic Development Foundation (SEDF) will reach out to its membership base to garner support for the campaign and leverage its resources like cash and core assets to mobilise funds that can be utilised to help generate support for the most vulnerable populations affected due to the COVID disruption. "The partnership will also help avoid potential long-term damage to business operations and employment pipelines, and their most important resource, their personnel, their children and their families," it said.

UNICEF on Monday announced its partnership with FICCI to jointly develop a campaign to support the most vulnerable populations and children during the ongoing COVID-19 response and its aftermath in India. FICCI and UNICEF will work on an action plan based on the document that is being developed jointly by the International Chamber of Commerce and UNICEF for governments and businesses on the actions they can take to support the post-pandemic recovery.

Ogilvy is offering pro bono support in developing the creative narrative for the campaign, according to a statement by UNICEF. The Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry's (FICCI)-Socio Economic Development Foundation (SEDF) will reach out to its membership base to garner support for the campaign and leverage its resources like cash and core assets to mobilise funds that can be utilised to help generate support for the most vulnerable populations affected due to the COVID disruption.

"The partnership will also help avoid potential long-term damage to business operations and employment pipelines, and their most important resource, their personnel, their children and their families," it said. While children are not the face of this pandemic, they are its hidden victims and remain the most vulnerable to the broader impact of the pandemic, the statement noted.

"The impact of COVID-19 on children has the potential to be devastating and lifelong. Millions of children will have lost out on crucial cognitive development and learning time, the risk of increasing number of children and young people facing abuse and exploitation is real, and gains made in the measures of health and nutrition status of children is likely to see a decline," said Dr Yasmin Ali Haque, UNICEF Representative in India. Speaking about the partnership, Sangita Reddy, President, FICCI said, "Concrete action from all stakeholders including businesses, international organisations and civil society is needed to secure a peaceful, stable and prosperous future for all children and ensure that no child is left behind. Key actions need to be taken now and resources leveraged to help the most vulnerable".

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