NEW YORK, Oct. 29 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The U.S. Fund for UNICEF is pleased to announce donations will be collected tonight at game two of the World Series at Yankee Stadium. The funds will benefit UNICEF and their relief and rebuilding efforts on behalf of victims of the recent natural disasters in the Asia Pacific region.

The devastating cluster of natural disasters that struck the Asia Pacific region earlier this month have affected nearly 9.8 million people--more than 3.8 million of the affected are children.

"Every day 24,000 children die of preventable causes--many in the countries that have been affected by this recent cluster of natural disasters," said Caryl Stern, president and CEO, U.S. Fund for UNICEF. "We do not want these emergencies to further compound the tragedy of these unnecessary deaths, and thanks to Major League Baseball, the Yankees and the wonderful generosity of New Yorkers we will be able to prevent these deaths."

Typhoons and floods in the Philippines, Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos, as well as earthquakes in Bhutan, Indonesia and the Pacific Islands (resulting in a tsunami) have left families suffering from an alarming lack of access to safe water, food, blankets and clothing in all seven countries.

The funds raised will go to supporting UNICEF in its continued efforts to provide lifesaving assistance to children and women in all seven affected countries and help life return to normal as quickly as possible. Working with governments and civil society partners to provide relief in all countries, UNICEF is leading the efforts in providing water, sanitation and hygiene, education, child protection coordination and the provision of food and nutrition.

These efforts are part of a larger, unprecedented effort by MLB to celebrate community service and volunteerism at the 2009 World Series.

About UNICEF

UNICEF has saved more children's lives than any other humanitarian organization in the world. Working in over 150 countries, UNICEF provides children with health care, clean water, nutrition, education, emergency relief, and more. The U.S. Fund for UNICEF supports UNICEF's work through fundraising, advocacy, and education in the United States.

UNICEF is at the forefront of efforts to reduce child mortality worldwide. There has been substantial progress--the annual number of under-five deaths dropped from 13 million in 1990 to 8.8 million in 2008. But still, 24,000 children die each day from preventable causes. Our mission is to do whatever it takes to make that number zero by giving children the essentials for a safe and healthy childhood. For more information, visit www.unicefusa.org.

SOURCE U.S. Fund for UNICEF

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