easyJet and the world’s leading children’s organisation UNICEF have today announced the new phase of their partnership to support UNICEF’s goal of ensuring all children at primary and lower secondary levels are enrolled in school by 2030.
easyJet and UNICEF’s ‘Every Child Can Fly’ campaign will raise vital funds to change millions of children’s lives, including contributing to UNICEF's target of providing access to learning opportunities for 114 million children and digital education for 148.6 million children around the world.
The onboard collection by easyJet’s cabin crew is now running in time for the busy holiday period, which will see the airline fly over five million customers across its network, who will have the opportunity to donate onboard around 40,000 flights towards the ‘Every Child Can Fly’ campaign and support UNICEF’s work in education.
In 2022, 70% of 10-year-olds in low- and middle-income countries could not read and understand simple text. This figure has worsened by 13% since COVID-19 school closures.
UNICEF’s education roadmap aims to tackle the current global learning crisis by helping to ensure all children have the right to a quality education, including during emergencies. The new 'Every Child Can Fly' campaign will deliver fundraising efforts in the coming years to support UNICEF’s aspiration to achieve every child's universal right to learn by 2030.
Johan Lundgren, easyJet CEO, commented: “We are incredibly proud to be launching our new ‘Every Child Can Fly’ partnership with UNICEF, which will support the delivery of impactful programmes to help children shape their future, alongside UNICEF’s crucial work protecting children in times of emergency."
“It has been a privilege to have supported UNICEF for over a decade during which time our customers and crew have raised almost £17 million onboard our flights. I would like to thank any customers who are able to donate this Easter for their kindness and generosity in helping make a real difference to the lives of millions of children around the world.”
Jon Sparkes, Chief Executive at The UK National Committee for UNICEF (UNICEF UK) said: “Children around the world are affected by a growing learning crisis. Only 30% of 10-year-olds from low- and middle- income countries can read a simple sentence. Today, more than ever, children and their futures need to be protected."
"Thanks to partners such as easyJet, UNICEF works around the clock to support children and build innovative programmes that give the most vulnerable children in accessing their right to learn. I would like to use this opportunity to thank the incredible team at easyJet for continuing to stand by children, as we announce the new phase of our partnership into the coming years. With enhanced access to quality education, every child can fly.”
Since 2012, easyJet customers and cabin crew have raised nearly £17 million towards UNICEF’s appeals, enabling the child rights organisation to protect millions of children around the world from disease and keep them safe during emergencies. This includes over £400,000 for children and their families affected by the earthquakes in Türkiye and Syria last year, which provided vital funds for UNICEF’s work in the region, and a record-breaking £616,000 in a single month for UNICEF’s Ukraine appeal.
The contribution of easyJet customers has already supported UNICEF to reach more than 169 million children to help develop relevant skills and build their futures. Since 2018, a fundraising total of £2.7 million has contributed towards UNICEF’s work to provide every child with an opportunity to access learning. This included providing educational materials such as textbooks and classroom kits to more than 137 million children so that children were able to keep learning, even during a conflict.
With the new partnership, easyJet has also become a Founding Member of UNICEF UK’s Emergency Alliance alongside other businesses to support the delivery of UNICEF’s life-saving work in emergency settings. Members will play a key role in ensuring that UNICEF can support children and families before, during, and after an emergency, through financial contributions and awareness raising activities. UNICEF UK is calling on other committed businesses to become members of the Emergency Alliance.
Olivia Colman, President at the UK Committee for UNICEF (UNICEF UK), commented: “Since working with UNICEF, I have witnessed the breadth of work that goes into making sure that the most vulnerable children and families are protected."
"Whilst children are facing an unimaginable scale of unrest, timely initiatives like the Emergency Alliance offers hope that children will receive the help they need to lead healthy and happy lives.”
