The Islamic Food and Nutrition Council of America commits US$ 3 Million to UNICEF’s Global COVID-19 response

DES PLAINES, Illinois (June 21, 2021) — The Islamic Food and Nutrition Council of America (IFANCA®) announced today a $3 million grant over the next five years to support UNICEF’s ongoing work with the Access to COVID-19 Tools Accelerator (ACT-A) initiative that aims to deliver needed vaccines, therapeutics and diagnostics globally.

As a trusted organization on halal matters related to food, nutrition, and pharmaceutical products around the world, IFANCA has been an instrumental voice in building vaccine confidence through the halal certification of vaccines and promoting transparency and trust among Muslim communities through its work with regulatory bodies and pharmaceutical companies.

"We are proud to partner with UNICEF to bring an end to the global COVID-19 pandemic. Addressing vaccine hesitancy will be critical to a successful campaign to end the pandemic, and UNICEF is doing the important work of building trust and acceptance of vaccines around the world," said IFANCA President Dr. Muhammad Munir Chaudry. "IFANCA is committed to a long-term partnership with UNICEF to advance health equity globally.

IFANCA’s support will contribute to UNICEF’s role in ACT-A to promote equitable access to COVID-19 tests, treatments and vaccines, support risk communication and community engagement for vulnerable populations around the world. The grant will also benefit UNICEF’s regular programming work around COVID-19 response and recovery programmes including health systems strengthening beyond 2021.

"As COVID-19 cases continue to rise in many regions around the world, partnerships like this are crucial in the race to end the global pandemic. IFANCA’s generous support can also allow us and our partners on the ground to bring reliable vaccine information to parents, caregivers and educators based on facts and science," said UNICEF Deputy Executive Director for Partnerships, Charlotte Petri Gornitzka.

IFANCA and UNICEF will also work to address misinformation and build trust in vaccines and the health systems that deliver lifesaving vaccines.

UNICEF
UNICEF is the world’s largest children’s organization, working in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. Across 190 countries and territories, they work for every child, everywhere, to build a better world for everyone. For more information about UNICEF and its work for children, visitwww.unicef.org Follow UNICEF on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and Youtube

UNICEF USA advances the global mission of UNICEF by rallying the American public to support the world’s most vulnerable children. Together, we are working toward a world that upholds the rights of all children and helps every child thrive. For more information, visit www.unicefusa.org.

IFANCA®
IFANCA is a not-for-profit organization based in Des Plaines, Illinois, USA. Founded in 1982, its primary mission is to promote halal. That involves helping Muslim consumers meet their halal needs with respective considerations for food security, health security, and nutrition equity. Operating with a team of Islamic scholars, scientists, and industry experts, IFANCA is a trusted organization on all halal matters related to food, nutrition, and pharmaceutical products.