UNICEF 2012 Snowflake Gala – New York

The iconic UNICEF snowflake was installed above Fifth Avenue at 57 Street on Sunday, Nov. 3. It’s a heartwarming sight, marking the start of the holiday season. But many may not be aware that this fragile holiday decoration is dedicated to the frail among us—children around the world who are struggling to survive.

The snowflake represents a campaign led by United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), to stop children from dying from preventable causes. Last year, 6.6 million children died before reaching age 5, most to treatable diseases, such as pneumonia, diarrhea, or malaria, according to the UNICEF “2013 Progress Report.” As the number went down by half from 12.6 million in 1990, UNICEF believes it can be reduced to zero.