UNICEF Australias has launched “Gamers4Action,” a campaign that allows the community and private sector to raise funds to help children and families affected by the Ukraine war, by gaming, streaming, or watching others play their favourite games.
More than 20 creators have already joined the campaign, with 10 streaming live from Ukraine. The campaign, a first of its kind for UNICEF was developed by Headjam and GGWP Academy, launched on April 1 and the Ukraine Emergency fundraising event will run until the end of May.
The campaign will also see tech giants Atlassian, Canva, Salesforce and Telstra Foundation go head-to-head to be the last team standing in the battle royale obstacle course game, Fall Guys. Funds raised will go towards UNICEF Australia’s Ukraine Appeal.
For those not competing, it will be streamed live on www.twitch.tv/atlassianlive on Friday, 28 April at 3 pm AEST.
Innovation lead at UNICEF Australia, Zunilka C. Whitnall said, “Gamers4Action was built by gamers, for gamers. We’ve seen time and time again that when you play with purpose, people literally have the power to change the world and, in our case, it’s the world of a child in an emergency.
“Whether it’s Ukraine, Syria or a crisis in Australia, we want the gaming community to feel that they can take this platform, make it their own, and drive real impact.”
Donations from the tournament will enable UNICEF to provide, sustain and expand critical services in health, nutrition, child protection, gender-based violence, water, sanitation and hygiene and social protection alongside government relief and recovery efforts.
“As we know gaming has no borders, it’s incredible to see that for our first campaign, the generous support of the community in Australia has been joined by creators in Ukraine, who are participating to help their country,” Whitnall added.
