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UNICEF teams up with amusement parks to raise funds for child vaccines

UNICEF teams up with amusement parks to raise funds for child vaccines

The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) today announced a partnership with amusement parks from around the world to raise funds for child vaccines.

The campaign, under the theme "Your change for a real change," was initiated by the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA) and will enable the organization's members in some 100 countries to choose from a variety of donation options to support UNICEF's children immunization programme.

UNICEF is the world's largest buyer of childhood vaccines and helps governments protect hundreds of million of children from vaccine-preventable diseases every year. Still, more than a quarter of the world's youngsters are not protected by routine vaccination, the agency said.

IAAPA will promote the three-year partnership and encourage its 5,600 members to adopt the programme. The group said its message would be that every child should have the opportunity to enjoy a healthy and happy childhood.

"There is a natural affinity between UNICEF's work with children and their communities, and the time for family recreation provided by IAAPA's members in the amusement parks and attractions industry," said UNICEF Executive Director Carol Bellamy. "We welcome this initiative for the IAAPA and its members to get involved in supporting children worldwide."