UN agency urges fans of Olympic, Paralympic Games to help protect children

The UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) on Wednesday launches a global sports initiative to engage people in its work for children, and urged fans of Olympic and Paraolympic Games to help protect children across the world.

"In Brazil and New York today, the fund has launched an initiative -- called Team UNICEF, Get Active For Children --- in which you log your running time, and other exercises, and gain points," UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric said at a daily news briefing here.

"The points can be converted into donations to UNICEF, from sponsors including Save the Dream and the Development Bank of Latin America," the spokesman said.

Sports enthusiasts worldwide can get involved in the Olympic and Paralympic action for free by signing up to Team UNICEF Get Active for Children, a scheme that unlocks a five-Brazilian real corporate donation every time participants complete 5km by foot or wheelchair. One Brazilian real equals some 0.31 U.S. dollar.

Users can also accumulate points by exercising and accomplishing other activities including completing a quiz at the Team UNICEF platform. The participant with the highest number of points will win a trip to see UNICEF's work first-hand in Brazil (international travel is not included).

"We want everyone to get into the sporting spirit and Get Active for Children to help raise vital funds for UNICEF's work for the world's most vulnerable children," said the UNICEF representative in Brazil, Gary Stahl.

Estimates suggest 30 children and adolescents are murdered every day in Brazil. More than one in three adolescent deaths in the country is a result of murder, compared to one in 20 deaths caused by homicide among the total population.

For Brazil's most vulnerable children, exposure to violence and exploitation is commonplace, the UN agency said in a press release, adding that major sporting events can put these children at an increased risk of atrocities including sexual abuse and child labor.

To help prevent and respond to violence against children during the Olympic and Paralympic Games, UNICEF has also launched a new version of Proteja Brasil, an app that enables witnesses and victims to report violence, abuse and exploitation to the authorities. Reports on the time, location and circumstances can be filed online and anonymously.

The 2016 Summer Olympics will officially be held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on Aug. 5-21.

"Violence, abuse, discrimination and exploitation are a harsh reality for far too many children," said Stahl. "Proteja Brasil gives everyday people the chance to make it personal and take action to help tackle children's rights' violations and get them the help they so desperately need." Endit