On April 7, UNA-NCA membership rallied for a World Health Advocacy Day of Digital Action. As our community has come to understand, the steady regression of US leadership in the United Nations has made it all the more difficult for member states to effectively collaborate in the global response to COVID-19.
Without full funding from the US, the efforts of implementing agencies like the World Health Organization (WHO), UNICEF, IOM, UNFPA and UNHCR are severely undercut. According to a recent poll by the Better World Campaign, the majority of Americans believe that global cooperation is essential to a successful pandemic response- but the UN lacks sufficient resources and support.
As such, we used World Health Day as an opportunity to urge our members of Congress to support UN funding in forthcoming legislation. In preparation for our Day of Action, members participated in a Briefing and Training held on April 6 in collaboration with UNA-USA and the Better World Campaign to discuss the details of the UN’s response plan. Hundreds of people across the country have since written letters to Congress calling for Congress to invest in the UN and global health-but we’re just getting started.
It is now more vital than ever to hold our legislators accountable to the needs of their constituents; we must continue to advocate for the Global Goals for Sustainable Development through whatever means now available to us.
Picking up the phone and calling your Members of Congress is a quick and effective way to support the UN’s work on COVID-19.
To call your respective Members of Congress, please dial 855–466–4862. Once you dial this number, you will be asked to enter your five-digit zip code.
Afterwards, you will be prompted to press #1 or #2 to speak with your Senators and #3 to speak with your Representative.
Before calling, be prepared with a short script that covers the following pieces of information:
Who are you? Where you are from?
Sample Script:
Hi, I’m [your name], a constituent and voter from [your town/county/city, state]. I am a member of the United Nations Association of the USA, a grassroots movement of Americans dedicated to supporting the vital work of the United Nations. My local chapter is UNA [chapter name].Why you are calling?
Sample Script:
I am calling you today to support the UN’s work on COVID-19 by paying our UN dues. Right now, the UN is leading and coordinating the global response effort to COVID-19 by supporting countries to prevent, detect, and respond to the pandemic. By fully funding the UN, we can assist people around the world, including Americans, at risk of infectious diseases, through the help of the World Health Organization (WHO). In today’s interconnected world, a deadly health threat anywhere is a deadly threat everywhere.How has COVID-19 impacted your life?
Keep your message brief and to the point (no more than 2 minutes), and don’t forget to thank the staffer for their time!You can also send a letter to your Members of Congress by signing this petition.
Share your efforts online and across social media using the hashtag #SDGsAtHome and #USAforUN and be sure to tag us on Facebook or Twitter @UNANCA.
