MTV Asia AID concert to benefit UNICEF

MTV Asia AID concert to benefit UNICEF

UNICEF Executive Director Arrives in Bangkok for a Star-Studded Music Event

BANGKOK/GENEVA/NEW YORK, 3 February 2005 - On her arrival in Bangkok to attend the MTV Asia AID concert, UNICEF Executive Director Carol Bellamy said she was delighted that MTV had refashioned its annual awards show into a global benefit that enables young people to contribute directly to the tsunami recovery effort.

“Young people make a powerful difference in this world,” Bellamy said. “Thanks to its huge international reach and enormous influence with young people, MTV has a unique ability to deepen their understanding of the humanitarian situation and help raise funds to meet urgent needs. This concert allows young people to do something to improve the lives of other young people who have been hit hard by the tsunami.”

MTV Asia Aid will be seen across MTV's global network -- to a potential viewing audience of over 1 billion people. The show is also being provided rights free and cost free to third party broadcasters around the world to extend its reach to as many viewers as possible.

UNICEF will be the main recipient of funds raised during the 3 February concert, which will feature an impressive line-up of Thai and international artists. Bellamy will appear at the show with former Thai Prime Minister and UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador for Thailand Khun Anand Panyarachun.

Bellamy stressed that UNICEF was extraordinarily proud to be associated with MTV and with this special event.

UNICEF has a strong presence in the regions worst affected by the tsunami, making it especially well positioned to provide urgent and sustainable help when the disaster struck.

This emergency has had a devastating impact on children. UNICEF estimates that at least one-third of the dead are children -- many have lost one or both parents, homes, schools and health centres have been destroyed and children have been traumatized by their experiences.

UNICEF’s actions are now focused on the more than 1 million children who survived. Working with governments, other UN agencies, and the broader relief community, UNICEF’s work has focused on four chief areas: child survival, family reunification, child protection, and getting schools up and running.

On Friday, 4 February Bellamy will make an official visit to Thailand’s tsunami-affected areas in the company of Bill Roedy, MTV Networks International President and UNAIDS Goodwill Ambassador. Their visit will include stops at shelters housing some of the displaced, a temporary school, a health clinic, a devastated fishing village and a village where extended families are caring for people displaced by the tsunami.

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