Annual Christmas fund-raising campaign launched by UN refugee agency
The United Nations refugee agency today launched its annual Christmas fund-raising appeal that aims to generate
donations to help provide shelter, schooling and support for refugee children worldwide.
The UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) said it hopes this year's Star Appeal can surpass the record total of
$560,000 that was raised last year. Members of the public can donate to the appeal through a special link on the
agency's website.
Nick Van Praag, the head of UNHCR's Department of External Relations, said "our goal is to strike when the iron is hot -
and there is no better time to fund-raise than during the holiday season."
UNHCR is stressing that even small donations can go a long way to bringing relief to children who have been forced to
leave their homelands. A donation of $40 buys a survival kit for children who are badly malnourished, while $80
purchases a durable lightweight tent for a family of eight and $210 pays the wages of a teacher for three months.
Last year's Star Appeal helped young residents of the Nakivale settlement in Uganda, which is home to refugees from
several African countries.
ENDS