UNICEF partners with Irish gift company The Baby Box, an initiative that will provide vaccinations for vulnerable new-born babies in the poorest parts of the world.

Every 20 seconds a child dies from a preventable disease. UNICEF and its partners are working to eradicate that risk by vaccinating children everywhere.

As part of its new partnership with The Baby Box, a portion of Baby Box sales will go towards UNICEF’s measles, polio and tetanus vaccination programmes.

Giving Mothers and Babies a Better Start

James Fox, founder of The Baby Box says the company wants to give mothers and their children the best start in life: “At the babybox.com we believe that all children should be given an equal start in life, regardless of where they are born. That is why we have partnered with UNICEF to distribute 30 vaccinations for every Baby Box sold.”

The baby box concept originated in Finland in the 1930s, where it was introduced to tackle the country’s high infant mortality rate.

The original baby box was designed to be used as an infant’s first crib, with a mattress, basic clothing and essential supplies to promote safe sleeping. The programme is still going strong today, and Finland’s Infant Mortality rate is now the 5th lowest in the world.

Now reimagined as a stylish and practical gift for parents of new babies, The Baby Box updates the concept with attractive packaging, a firm mattress, 100% cotton clothing and blankets, finest Egyptian muslins, toys and baby-friendly lotions and potions. Each box converts into a practical and durable crib, which conforms to BS EN 1130 – the top international standard for crib and cradle safety.

Partnership with UNICEF

As part of its partnership with UNICEF, The Baby Box will donate 30 vaccinations for every Baby Box sold (ten polio, ten measles, ten tetanus) to new-born babies in some of the poorest parts of the world. These vaccines will ensure that children are protected against three dangerous and potentially fatal diseases.

UNICEF, the world’s largest buyer of vaccines, provides immunisation for 40% of the world’s children. The organisation says almost one-third of deaths among children under five are preventable by vaccine. When measles, tetanus and polio are left unchecked, they can prove fatal or can leave survivors blind, deaf, or with brain damage.

Announcing the partnership, Peter Power, Executive Director of UNICEF Ireland said: “Every 20 seconds, a child somewhere dies from a preventable disease. UNICEF is working to eradicate polio and improve vaccination rates for tetanus and polio worldwide. As long as these diseases remain prevalent in many parts of the world, we will work tirelessly to provide every child with the protection of a vaccine.”

Cathy Kelly, best-selling author and UNICEF Ambassador has lent her support to the joint venture: “James Fox is one of an exciting new breed of entrepreneurs with a social conscience. His Baby Box initiative is inspirational and I wish him the very best of luck with it. Any sales will bring huge benefit to some of the infants in the greatest need in our world and that is something really worth supporting”.

For more information, please go to www.thebabybox.com/charity.