UNICEF USA Responds to the United States-Northern Triangle Enhanced Engagement Act

NEW YORK (June 13, 2019) – Last month, Rep. Eliot Engel (D-NY) and Rep. Michael McCaul (R-TX) introduced the United States-Northern Triangle Enhanced Engagement Act (H.R. 2615).

This bipartisan bill would allow the U.S. Government to invest in efforts to promote economic growth and development, improve democratic institutions and security conditions, and combat corruption.

Responding to this news, Caryl M. Stern, UNICEF USA President and CEO, said:

With all the focus on migrants at our borders, we must think about how investing in the well-being of children and communities in Northern Central America is critical to addressing the violence and poverty that force families to migrate. Helping families in this region is both morally right and economically smart.

At UNICEF USA, we believe that whether children are migrants, refugees or internally displaced, they are all children first. Legislation like the United States-Northern Triangle Enhanced Engagement Act are critical as UNICEF continues to work with governments in Central America and Mexico to help alleviate the root causes of migration, protect children from violence and crime, and support children through health and education programs.

I applaud Rep. Eliot Engel and Rep. Michael McCaul for their bipartisan work and commitment to protecting families and children in need in Northern Central America.

#  #  #

About UNICEF
The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) works in more than 190 countries and territories to put children first. UNICEF has helped save more children’s lives than any other humanitarian organization, by providing health care and immunizations, safe water and sanitation, nutrition, education, emergency relief and more. UNICEF USA supports UNICEF's work through fundraising, advocacy and education in the United States. Together, we are working toward the day when no children die from preventable causes and every child has a safe and healthy childhood. For more information, visit www.unicefusa.org.

For more information, contact
Erica Vogel, UNICEF USA, 212.922.2480, evogel@unicefusa.org
Gabby Arias, UNICEF USA, 917.720.1306, garias@unicefusa.org