LONDON fashion house Burberry is supporting vulnerable communities in low-income countries, through donations to UNICEF’s Covid-19 Vaccines Appeal, to ensure that everyone has equal access to the Covid-19 vaccines.
The Burberry Foundation Covid-19 Community Fund will provide donations which will help support the transportation, storage and safe administration of Covid-19 vaccines for those in disadvantaged areas.
Konan Aphouet, nurse prepares a syringe of the Covid-19 vaccine at the Treichville vaccination centre, in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire on March 1, 2021. Photograph: UNICEF.
Marco Gobbetti, CEO of Burberry, stresses the importance of supporting UNICEF’s efforts during the awful health crisis that is affecting people worldwide. He says; “We believe everybody should have equal access to the COVID-19 vaccine. UNICEF’s COVID-19 Vaccines Appeal is helping provide it, protecting families and communities from the devastating impacts of the virus. We are proud to continue our support for the relief efforts by helping UNICEF in their mission to provide vital resources for vulnerable communities around the world.”
The Burberry Foundation Covid-19 Community Fund was set up in April 2020 to support frontline workers and communities most severely affected by the pandemic. With funds received from Burberry colleagues, partners, customers and suppliers, the Burberry Foundation Covid-19 Community Fund is able to support global relief efforts and projects.
Some of these have included providing PPE to hospitals in Europe and Africa, as well as funding to essential food banks.
A plane carrying the first shipment of Covid-19 vaccines distributed by the Covax Facility lands at Kotoka International Airport in Accra, Ghana’s capital, February 24, 2021. Photograph: UNICEF.
Through the Covax Facility, UNICEF aims to make two billion doses of Covid-19 vaccines available to 190 countries by the end of the year, ensuring fair and equitable access.
Steven Waugh, Executive Director of the UK Committee for UNICEF (UNICEF UK), highlights the charity’s aim of accelerating the development and procurement of the vaccines. “Burberry’s support of UNICEF’s COVID-19 Vaccines Appeal is critical to help ensure rapid and equitable access of COVID-19 vaccines – irrespective of a country’s wealth… Together, we can deliver the world’s largest vaccination campaign, in record time, and build a brighter future for the world’s children.”
by Amie Bawa