Ana Ivanovic and UNICEF together in stopping coronavirus

Belgrade, 31 March 2020 – The coronavirus pandemic has turned lives of people around the world upside down. As the number of COVID-19 cases continues to rise dramatically, preventive and emergency measures are being introduced in many countries, and families need to adjust to the new reality.

Healthcare professionals and healthcare systems in many countries are facing numerous challenges: from whether they have enough protective equipment to work with patients, equipment for medical care, to capacities for inpatient care of the infected people.

Since the beginning of the crisis, UNICEF has been cooperating closely with the World Health Organization, governments and other partners to help prevent and stop the spread of the virus, to save people’s lives and mitigate the adverse effects of the pandemic on the health care system, social protection services, children’s education.

UNICEF is an international organization with extensive experience in providing assistance in emergencies. Every year, it responds to around 300 emergencies around the world. With the largest humanitarian warehouse in the world and long-term cooperation with around 1000 suppliers worldwide, UNICEF is able to provide the necessary goods and equipment that can help save human lives. Therefore, the assistance from states and governments, support from the business sector and philanthropists is crucial for rapid and efficient intervention.

A particularly important role in activating the solidarity and philanthropic activities is played by UNICEF Ambassadors, celebrities who, through their actions and influence, mobilize the support and assistance for children and the realization of children’s rights.

Ana Ivanovic, UNICEF’s National Ambassador in Serbia, immediately responded to this crisis. She made a personal donation and mobilized her partners and friends from the business sector to provide as many ventilators as possible for Serbia through UNICEF.

“Ana is a truly dedicated UNICEF Ambassador in Serbia. She is always ready to get involved and support our activities for the benefit of children and families. Her power to mobilize her associates and friends is invaluable, especially in times when we are facing a health crisis like the world has never seen before.

UNICEF is providing full support to the national efforts to protect the population, primarily through procurement of the critically needed equipment for the health care system, as well as by disseminating information on how to protect against the virus and how to maintain services and provide assistance to the most vulnerable families with children. We highly appreciate Ana’s contribution to our work – both to regular programmes for children and in emergencies, like the one we are all facing right now”, said Regina De Dominicis, UNICEF Representative in Serbia.

Ana thanked her friends and partners on social networks:

“I want to express my endless gratitude to my friends and partners who have responded to my call to help UNICEF procure the necessary medical equipment for prevention of the coronavirus pandemic that will help save lives in these difficult times. A big thank you to EXLRT, Execom, Serbian Recycler Association, Prozone, Kalemegdan Development and Petite Genève Petrovic. Your support is crucial, as this emergency increases the vulnerability of children and their families.”

We have to stay united and provide the necessary support, protection, information, as well as hope that better days will come for every child.