Fieldnotes: Blogging on UNICEF's child survival work in the field

	Martin Rendón Vice President, Public Policy and Advocacy

As the House and Senate raced to finish their legislative business for year, the legislators didn't forget UNICEF! The Omnibus Appropriations bill agreed upon by the Congress and the President will provide a contribution of $128 million to UNICEF's regular resources. This is the largest amount the United States Government ever has given to UNICEF.

Although the legislation actually sets the contribution at $129 million, an across-the-board cut that was made to all funding for State Department and Foreign Operations brings the amount to $128 million. Nevertheless, the $128 million represents a real increase of $2.3 million above the current contribution to UNICEF.

The $129 million recommended in the bill raises the bar for our request for the next fiscal year, FY 2009. We in the OPPA will be getting back to you about that in the New Year when the new budget is submitted. In the meantime, all of us in Washington want to thank you for supporting the advocacy efforts through your e-mails to legislators and other communications. Your concern and action make these advances possible.