Guinea-Bissau

In 2007, the Icelandic Committee’s first development project was completed. In the summer of 2004, Baugur Group promised 250 thousand USD in support to an Early Childhood Development project in Guinea-Bissau. This was the beginning of a long-term cooperation between Baugur Group and UNICEF in Guinea-Bissau. The project has, over three years, reached two thousand families in selected villages, providing children between the ages of 0-8 years minimum health care, water and sanitation services, as well as increased access to education and protection.

In 2005, Baugur Group, FL Group, and Fons hosted a fundraising gala event which raised 80% of the funds needed for the distribution of insecticide treated bed nets to all children under the age of five in Guinea-Bissau. The distribution took place in the latter part of 2006 and the beginning of 2007. UNICEF’s specialists in Guinea-Bissau have estimated that the project can prevent the deaths of four thousand children.

From 2005-2008 Baugur Group, FL Group and Fons sponsored education projects in Guinea-Bissau. At the end of 2007, 146 schools had been reconstructed or renovated and in all cases provided with school supplies, benches and desks. In addition, over a thousand school teachers received training.

Due to a major donor support a program focusing on iodized salt was sponsored by 75.000 USD in 2005.

Furthermore, a staff member of UNICEF Iceland worked for UNICEF Bissau in communications over a period of three months from January to May 2008.

The ministry for foreign affairs in Iceland also sponsored health programs in Guinea-Bissau by 151,900,000 ISK from 2008-9.

Sierra Leone

In Sierra Leone, the Aurora Foundation has contributed 116 million ISK to education projects in the poverty stricken Kono district. This generous support has enabled UNICEF to reach goals such as establishing teacher training seminars, and building 60 school buildings equipped with water and sanitation facilities, furniture and educational supplies in cooperation with local authorities. 

As a part of supporting the country office, a staff member of UNICEF Iceland went to work for UNICEF in Sierra Leone for over a period of three months in 2008.

Swaziland

The Swaziland Positive Living, or SWAPOL, an HIV/AIDS support group, was supported by a total amount of 70,000 USD through UNICEF in Swaziland. The reason for this support was the visit of the internationally known band Sigur Rós in 2006.

Nigeria

Companies and individuals came together in 2006 and donated 20 million Icelandic kronur to fund a polio vaccination campaign in Nigeria.

Mozambique

In Mozambique, the Aurora Foundation donated 3.5 million ISK in support of a child radio programme which encourages child participation and peer to peer support and education.