THE ‘WARMLY MONCLER FOR UNICEF’ PROJECT

By Crash redaction

photo above © UNICEF : A first-grade student walks several kilometres to her home after school in the district of Altai, in Khovd Province. A mountain range rises in front of her. In March 2010 in western Mongolia, heavy snow, strong winds and extreme cold have created crisis conditions in over half the country’s provinces. Temperatures have fallen to minus-50 degrees Celsius, and snow is impeding access to food, fuel, sanitation and basic medical care. The crisis, known locally as a ‘dzud’, has killed at least nine children in one province, and has trapped many others in dormitories with failing heating systems and limited food supplies. Over 22,000 children in dormitories need emergency aid, and an additional 40,000 children may soon need assistance as well. The Government has declared a state of disaster in 12 of the country’s 21 provinces, with seven additional provinces expected to fall into disaster status. The dzud poses longer-term threats as well: Cold temperatures have killed over 2.7 million livestock, which may increase unemployment and poverty for the third of the population employed in agriculture. Animal carcasses also threaten to pollute soil and spread disease when the cold weather recedes in June. UNICEF is responding by providing food, fuel, blankets, hygiene kits, medical supplies and boots to over 60,000 children, including those in dormitories and isolated villages. UNICEF is also collaborating with other United Nations agencies to supply hospitals and provide mobile medical teams in isolated areas. The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is offering a cash-for-work programme that pays herders to properly dispose of livestock carcasses.

Besides covering the buzzing fall winter 2018/2019 trends being unveiled at the Men’s Fashion Weeks, what about welcoming a brand’s news addressing other issues than style as well? At the beginning of 2018, Moncler and UNICEF announced a partnership to support children who need help and assistance the most, notably pointing out the fact that for millions of persons: dressing for success means dressing for survival. 

Through the ‘Warmly Moncler for UNICEF’ project, children from around the world and their families will receive clothing and dedicated winter kits to protect themselves against cold weather. »The project, it is explained, will guarantee winter kits for many children and their families containing items such as thermal blankets, hats, gloves, scarves, shoes and socks; fuel to heat homes,schools’ classrooms and spaces where children can play; and life-saving aids such as food, clean water and medicines. »

The first ever partnership between the Milanese-based outwear company, run by Chairman and CEO Remo Ruffini since 2003, and UNICEF was created in 2016 following the earthquakes tragically devastating some parts of central Italy. Along with the growing concern of brands for more responsability regarding manufacturing and societal issues, likewise the ever-growing actions of UNICEF in the fashion industry is to be noted. 

Last November, a new partnership between UNICEF and Norway’s $ trillion sovereign wealth fund, the world’s biggest fund, was announced in order to improve children’s rights somehow impacted by the fashion industry. How all-important it is to cover the backstage of fashion, besides trends, has never been so needed in today’s society.

© UNICEF On 18 January 2016, children laugh in Barpak village, Gorkha district, Nepal. Barpak is an epicenteral village of Gorkha district, where more than 1400 hundreds houses were destroyed during the earthquake on 25 April 2015. Hundreds of earthquake victims, particularly the elderly and young children living in shelter of highland altitude have been facing a harsh winter season after snowfall.

© UNICEF Five-year-old Uralbai wears a hat in his home in Bulgan District, Khovd Province. His UNICEF-supported kindergarten is closed during the dzud. Of his family’s 80 sheep, only a dozen have so far survived the cold weather. His father, Balkhan, is struggling to provide food, fuel and warm clothing to the family. He has sought work in a nearby village, with little success. Most nights, the family eats only bread and tea.

Written by Stéphanie Bui.