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Joanna Rea, Unicef UK, Director of Advocacy commented ahead of UK Government announcement on a recovery plan following the coronavirus emergency response

“Children’s lives have been upended by coronavirus, especially with the closure of schools for most pupils. For many children, especially the most vulnerable and disadvantaged, schools provide much more than an education. They offer a critical network of support, a nutritious meal and a place of safety.

“While learning will have been affected by the lockdown, so too will children’s social and emotional wellbeing. Therefore it is critical for schools to have the resources they need to go beyond making up for lost learning to create environments where children can thrive, and can deliver the Government’s ambition to ensure every child receives a “world-class education”. It is also important children, parents and teachers are consulted as part of recovery planning to ensure decisions are made in the best interest of children.

“The announcement of funding for school buildings projects is a step in the right direction but must be part of a comprehensive cross-government recovery package for children including ringfenced funding and resources for schools, councils and children’s service providers so the challenges facing children today do not cast a long shadow over their future.”

Notes to editors:

• The coronavirus pandemic is the biggest and most urgent global crisis children have faced since World War Two.
• Children’s lives are being upended. Their support systems ripped away, their borders closed, their educations lost, their food supply cut off.
• An additional 6,000 children around the world could die every day from preventable causes over the next six months as the coronavirus pandemic weakens health systems and disrupts routine services like vaccinations. That’s one every 15 seconds.
• UNICEF’s “Save Generation Covid” appeal is the largest ever for children in our 73-year history, and we urgently need funds for lifesaving support and services to ensure that children survive this crisis –and thrive beyond it.
• Together we can Save Generation Covid.Visit unicef.uk/donate-generationcovid to donate and help save #generationcovid.

About Unicef

Unicef is the world’s leading organisation for children, promoting the rights and wellbeing of every child, in everything we do. Together with our partners, we work in 190 countries and territories to translate that commitment into practical action, focusing special effort on reaching the most vulnerable and excluded children, to the benefit of all children, everywhere.

Unicef UK raises funds to protect children in danger, transform their lives and build a safer world for tomorrow’s children. As a registered charity we raise funds through donations from individuals, organisations and companies and we lobby and campaign to keep children safe. Unicef UK also runs programmes in schools, hospitals and with local authorities in the UK.

For more information please visit unicef.org.uk

For interviews please contact

• Yemi Lufadeju, T: + 44 073 9101 7115 E: YemiL@uncief.org.uk
• Unicef UK Media Team, 0207 375 6030, media@unicef.org.uk