1 00:00:00,060 --> 00:00:03,109 Hi everyone, My name is Monica from UNICEF USA and over the 2 00:00:03,109 --> 00:00:06,108 past couple of weeks you may have seen this on here urging 3 00:00:06,108 --> 00:00:09,107 everyone to write to your members of Congress and ask them 4 00:00:09,107 --> 00:00:12,157 to support funding for UNICEF. As we wrap up August recess, 5 00:00:12,157 --> 00:00:15,207 which is a time for Congressional representatives to return 6 00:00:15,207 --> 00:00:18,257 to their home States and connect with their constituents in 7 00:00:18,257 --> 00:00:20,849 district, we wanted to give you an update on where 8 00:00:20,849 --> 00:00:23,848 everything stands and remind you of why your voices are so 9 00:00:23,848 --> 00:00:26,847 important throughout this Congressional recess. Supporters 10 00:00:26,847 --> 00:00:29,694 from across the country, including UNICEF club members, 11 00:00:29,694 --> 00:00:30,130 UNICEF. 12 00:00:30,130 --> 00:00:33,390 Next Gen. members and UNICEF USA Advisory Board members 13 00:00:33,390 --> 00:00:36,883 have all been meeting with congressional offices advocating 14 00:00:36,883 --> 00:00:40,260 for them to provide the $150 million investment in UNICEF 15 00:00:40,260 --> 00:00:43,521 life saving work. In the wake of recent cuts to foreign 16 00:00:43,521 --> 00:00:46,898 assistance, many programs protecting children are at risk 17 00:00:46,898 --> 00:00:50,391 right now. On our social accounts, we've shared examples of 18 00:00:50,391 --> 00:00:53,827 how child protection programs in Afghanistan and nutrition 19 00:00:53,827 --> 00:00:57,320 programs in Sudan are all being scaled back, just to name a 20 00:00:57,320 --> 00:01:00,360 few examples. And in our meetings we've emphasized. 21 00:01:00,360 --> 00:01:03,635 How these cuts pose grave risks to children and their 22 00:01:03,635 --> 00:01:07,214 families. We've also shared how investments in UNICEF make 23 00:01:07,214 --> 00:01:10,430 the US safer and stronger, and how UNICEF invests in 24 00:01:10,430 --> 00:01:13,645 American businesses to procure medicine ready to use 25 00:01:13,645 --> 00:01:16,920 therapeutic food, also known as RTF, and humanitarian 26 00:01:16,920 --> 00:01:20,378 supplies. A true win win for everyone. We've had lots of 27 00:01:20,378 --> 00:01:23,957 productive discussions so far, and we are looking ahead to 28 00:01:23,957 --> 00:01:27,476 the appropriations process now, which is when Congress is 29 00:01:27,476 --> 00:01:30,640 going to vote on a budget for the next fiscal year. 30 00:01:30,640 --> 00:01:33,880 2026 candidly, we don't know whether UNICEF will receive 31 00:01:33,880 --> 00:01:37,120 that funding this year, but what we do know is that your 32 00:01:37,120 --> 00:01:40,531 senators and your representatives are listening. We do know 33 00:01:40,531 --> 00:01:43,942 that 2000 of you have already taken action and joined us in 34 00:01:43,942 --> 00:01:47,182 supporting this Aspire UNICEF. And we do know that every 35 00:01:47,182 --> 00:01:50,479 voice matters. So for those of you who have already taken 36 00:01:50,479 --> 00:01:53,719 action, we cannot thank you enough. And for those of you 37 00:01:53,719 --> 00:01:56,960 who might not have had a chance yet, go ahead and follow 38 00:01:56,960 --> 00:01:59,973 the link in this post and follow UNICEF USA for more 39 00:01:59,973 --> 00:02:03,110 updates on the Hill.