UNICEF and Pampers Announce Partnership Aimed at Eliminating Deadly Disease by 2012

Geneva (ots/PRNewswire) -

- Actress, Producer and Mother Salma Hayek Calls for
Participation in Campaign to Eliminate Disease Responsible for the
Death of one Newborn Baby Approximately Every Three Minutes

A global review confirms that the elimination of maternal and
newborn tetanus, preventable diseases responsible for the death of
one baby approximately every three minutes and up to 30,000 mothers
each year, could be achieved by 2012, and encourages the public to
participate in a high profile campaign to help those most at risk.

Titled Participate, Vaccinate, Eliminate: Together Against
Maternal and Newborn Tetanus, the global review highlights that
individual participation in the Pampers UNICEF 1 Pack = 1 Vaccine
campaign, which has to date raised over 50 million vaccines for
UNICEF, will be instrumental in ensuring the elimination of maternal
and newborn deaths due to tetanus. It is expected that the new
campaign will lead to the vaccination and subsequent protection of
over 70 million women of child-bearing age, and their babies to come,
born in high-risk areas of some of the remaining 46 target countries.
The aim is to raise an additional 200 million vaccines over the next
three years.

Speaking at the launch of the awareness campaign, Pampers
Spokeswoman for the Pampers UNICEF 1 Pack = 1 Vaccine campaign Salma
Hayek, who has recently returned from a visit to Sierra Leone to
witness firsthand the impact of vaccination campaigns, commented,
"The thought of losing a child to a disease which can be easily
prevented seems unbearable, especially when it is within our power to
prevent it. If you knew how to help save a child's life what could
stop you? It is so simple with Pampers 1 Pack = 1 Vaccine."

Despite the progress that has been made to date, the global
review emphasises that this campaign is an ongoing process requiring
continued support.

Dr Francois Gasse, UNICEF Senior Health Specialist, Maternal and
Newborn Tetanus said, "It is unacceptable to see a disease that has
disappeared from the industrialised world still occur in less
industrialised countries. Maternal and newborn tetanus are deaths
that we shouldn't be talking about in this day and age."

"It is a privilege for Pampers to be part of a campaign that can
help eliminate a global disease," said Austin Lally, Vice President,
Procter & Gamble Baby Care Western Europe. "Between 1st October and
31st December 2008, for every pack marked with the 1 Pack = 1 Vaccine
logo that gets purchased, Pampers will provide UNICEF with funding
for a life-saving vaccine to protect a vulnerable mother and her
baby."

"It is only by working in partnership that we can hope to meet
some of the enormous healthcare challenges that we face in the world
today. We truly believe this three-way partnership between Pampers,
UNICEF and parents across the world will help UNICEF to support
countries in eliminating this disease," said Lally.

"Maternal and neonatal tetanus deaths are part of the loss of
millions of lives each year. This is unacceptable, and there is still
much to do. But the opportunity to provide health, nutrition,
education and water and sanitation interventions to improve the lives
of those most in need has probably never been better. The challenge
is to scale up what is proving successful. Innovative partnerships
such as this one can help UNICEF achieve those objectives," said
Philip O'Brien, Director, Private Fundraising & Partnerships, UNICEF.

For more information about maternal and newborn tetanus visit
http://www.unicef.org. For more information on the Pampers UNICEF 1
Pack = 1 Vaccine initiative, visit http://www.pampers.com

ots Originaltext: Pampers
Im Internet recherchierbar: http://www.presseportal.de

Contact:
Media Enquiries: UNICEF Geneva, Veronique Taveau, Spokeswoman
+4122-909-57-16, vtaveau@unicef.org; UNICEF Geneva, Charlotte Perrot,
Communication assistant +4122-909-5714, cperrot@unicef.org; Pampers,
Rachel Bannister, +44-7961-426395 / +44-207-7798-9997,
pampersunicef@toniclc.com; Pampers, Tanja Levine, +41-5800-484-62,
levine.td@pg.com