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Beijing, July 3, 2008 – Dr. Agnes Chan Miling, Japanese UNICEF Ambassador and popular recording artist in Japan and China, today presented to Dr. Yin Yin Nwe, UNICEF China representative, one million US dollars for earthquake relief in Sichuan and other affected provinces. Dr Agnes Chan made the large donation on behalf of the Japanese people through the Japan National Committee for UNICEF at a press conference.

"On behalf of all the affected children, we want to thank the people of Japan, the Japan National Committee and Dr. Agnes Chan Miling. UNICEF promises to use the donation to provide long-term assistance to children and their families in the quake zone," said Dr. Yin Yin Nwe, UNICEF Representative and Chair of the UN Disaster Management Team in China.

Dr Agnes Chan Miling visited communities affected by the earthquake in Sichuan from June 26 until July 2. "Ever since the day the devastating earthquake hit China, the people of Japan are very concerned about the people in the quake zone," said Chan. "During my visits around the world for UNICEF, I've never seen an area so ravaged by a natural disaster, and the people so brave and strong-willed to rebuild their homes."

"It's a huge and tough task to reconstruct the affected areas. UNICEF will be committed to support the Government of China to build a better home for the children in Sichuan. UNICEF plans to set up 30 child-friendly spaces in Sichuan to offer psychosocial support."

According to Dr. Yin Yin Nwe, UNICEF has received a total of 12 million US dollars from the international community and Chinese donors for the relief work and long-term recovery of children affected by the earthquake.

"We will try to collect 30 million US dollars by the year of 2010 for the long-term support to children." Dr. Yin Yin Nwe said.

To date UNICEF has dispatched a total of over 9 million US dollars of emergency relief goods, including medical kits, tents, clothing, school kits, water purification systems, mobile toilets and ambulances to Sichuan, Gansu, Shaanxi, Chongqing and Yunnan provinces.

The Japan National Committee for UNICEF has contributed generously to support UNICEF China's relief and recovery work in the earthquake affected areas, as well as to UNICEF's regular development programmes for children. The Japan National Committee will try to collect another USD3 million to help the children in the quake zone, said Dr. Chan.

"I want to deliver a message from the Japanese children to their counterparts in Sichuan– 'Good luck, Sichuan. We all love you.'"

About UNICEF in China
UNICEF first assisted China between 1947 and 1951, providing emergency services, food and nutrition, health and hygiene training during and after the Revolutionary War. In 1979 UNICEF officially commenced its cooperation with the Government of China to support child health and nutrition, good water and sanitation, quality basic education for all boys and girls, and the protection of children from violence, exploitation, and AIDS. UNICEF is on the ground in over 150 countries and territories to help children survive and thrive, from early childhood through adolescence.

For further information, please contact:
Dale Rutstein, UNICEF China, +86 13910973801, drutstein@unicef.org or Liu Li, UNICEF China, +86 13701066671, liliu@unicef.org