Kiwanis International
a vital partner in eliminating iodine deficiency

Thanks to Kiwanis International's Worldwide Service Project, great strides have been made toward the goal of eliminating iodine deficiency worldwide. Working with the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) and the U.S. Fund for UNICEF, the entire Kiwanis family joined together to raise funds to help eliminate the problem of iodine deficiency by supporting salt iodization, testing and monitoring, and community outreach and education.  

Members of the Kiwanis family can take great pride in their accomplishments. Today, about 70 percent of the people in the developing world have access to iodized salt, and UNICEF has hailed this project as one of the greatest public health triumphs of the 20th century.  Through the dedication and hard work of the Kiwanis family, not only in raising money but also in raising awareness of the problem and motivating governments and industry to act, millions of children have been protected against the invisible but devastating effects of iodine deficiency. Now, the Kiwanis family is renewing its fundraising efforts in order to protect yet more children as we build on its investments to date. Kiwanis has decided to raise additional contributions to help reach the goal of iodine deficiency elimination and, more importantly, to ensure that the progress made to date can be sustained. 

Kiwanians have set a goal of at least $3 million in additional contributions. They have secured a commitment from the U.S. Fund for UNICEF to match that amount dollar for dollar, doubling the investment to $6 million.  And Kiwanians are working with the U.S. Fund for UNICEF to secure further funding. Key Club International has committed to raise $700,000 in the next two years for IDD. These funds will be raised through the "Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF" campaign and other creative year-round fundraising activities. Key Club International has been partnering with UNICEF for many years. This past year, Key Club members increased donations to UNICEF by 20 percent, and the momentum generated by Key Club support of the "Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF" campaign has inspired Key Club leaders to make a great impact on IDD.  Circle K International also has committed to support this effort.  And other members of the Kiwanis family-Builders Club, K-Kids, and Aktion Club-will play important roles. 

Raising funds is just a small part of the role Kiwanis International plays in the partnership to eliminate iodine deficiency. Kiwanians around the world work to sustain progress through advocacy, technical expertise, and education about the benefits of iodized salt. With the powerful partnership in place, the objective of Universal Salt Iodization (USI) could be achieved as early as 2005.