Brasília - Through yesterday (12), contributions deposited in the two bank acccounts set up on December 30 by the United Nations Childrens Fund (UNICEF) in Brazil to receive donations for children in the areas affected by the tidal waves in Asia (Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Thailand, India, Somalia, Malaysia, and the Maldive Islands) had reached a total of US$ 207,004.98 (R$ 561,252.60). This does not take into account donations made to other institutions for the same purpose.

"Without the shadow of a doubt, this represents a significant moment. The tragedy struck around 1.5 million children and adolescents, and we are deeply grateful to the Brazilian people for this beautiful demonstration of solidarity," declared Marie-Pierre Poirier, representative of the UNICEF in Brazil.

For the first time in 55 years, the UNICEF office in Brazil is collecting funds to send abroad. This act was motivated by the dimensions of the catastrophe caused by the tsunamis and by the willingness to help manifested by people all over Brazil. Normally, the donations made to the UNICEF in Brazil are used only on projects in defense of the rights of Brazilian boys and girls.

Translation: David Silberstein