Riyadh — Alwaleed Philanthropies Global, chaired by Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal, and UNICEF announced on Monday a $50 million partnership to help achieve a world where no child dies from measles or is born with severe disabilities caused by rubella. The investment from Alwaleed Philanthropies provides vital funding to help UNICEF and its partners in the Measles & Rubella Initiative to protect millions of children from these diseases through safe and effective vaccines, according to a press statement. Alwaleed Philanthropies' generous contribution will help vaccinate more than 51 million vulnerable children in 14 countries. "The number of children around the world still suffering from measles and rubella is astonishing — but what is more astonishing is how easy it is to prevent these diseases through safe and effective vaccines," said Princess Lamia, Secretary General and member of the Board of Trustees at Alwaleed Philanthropies. "We have come so far in the global fight to eliminate measles and rubella — how can we rest until we protect every child?" said UNICEF Executive Director Anthony Lake. "Alwaleed Philanthropies' generosity will provide critical funding and serve as a catalyst to spur greater investment and greater practical action to immunize the children at the greatest risk." The gift is the largest single private donation ever made to UNICEF's measles and rubella elimination efforts, a UNICEF spokeswoman said.
