Today, the first part of protective equipment has arrived in Serbia, which UNICEF, with the support of private sector partners and individuals, has provided to support the health system in the fight against the virus corona. The equipment includes: 1,549 suits, 9,000 N95 masks, 99,950 surgical masks, 25,116 protective coats, 5,200 protective aprons, 71,900 surgical gloves and 5,376 visors. The companies whose donations made it possible to purchase the equipment that arrived in Serbia today are: Eurobank, Telenor Foundation, Steel Impex, Nova Communications, Vega IT Sourcing Ltd., Sberbank, Typhoon Hill.
“UNICEF is fully supportive of national efforts to protect the population through the procurement of critically needed equipment for the health care system, as well as providing hygiene products for the most vulnerable families and children. We greatly appreciate the contribution of the private sector to our work – both for regular programs for children and for emergencies like the one we are all now facing. The business community has shown true solidarity, and in a time of economic uncertainty, has committed part of its revenues to helping society. I thank all the companies that donated to UNICEF to help us get rid of the corona virus and save lives in Serbia” said Regina De Dominicis, Director of UNICEF in Serbia.
Many other companies and individuals have responded to UNICEF’s call for donations to procure essential medical and protective equipment: Nordeus, Raiffeisen Bank, I&F McCann Group, Vojvodjanska banka, Phi Academy, Petite Geneve Petrović Serbia, Mol Serbia, Continental automotive Serbia, Serbian Recycler Associations, EXLRT, Execom, Kalemegdan Development, Prozone, Eco Hellenic, Telegroup, Orion Telecom, and UNICEF National Ambassador Ana Ivanović. The number of companies that responded to our call indicates that there is a strong awareness in the business community that being together is a force that can help us.
As an organization that helps solve more than 300 crisis situations in the world annually, UNICEF works with more than 1,000 suppliers and leaders worldwide to find solutions to current market constraints. Solidarity in difficult times is key in order to tackle the challenges we face together.
Humanity is facing a global crisis that does not recognize borders and only on our humane and united response depends on the speed at which we will overcome the crisis.