UNICEF HEADQUARTERS in Geneva has called on the former executive director of Unicef Ireland and its board to cease ongoing public acrimony and to come to an “amicable resolution of this dispute”.
“The dispute between the board of the Irish committee for Unicef and Melanie Verwoerd must not be allowed to undermine our common work on behalf of the world’s most vulnerable children,” said the statement.
Ms Verwoerd was dismissed on July 15th by e-mail and given an ex gratia payment of €200,000 – two years’ salary – as compensation.
There have since been a number of terse statements issued by Ms Verwoerd, who has indicated her intention to sue Unicef Ireland and to take her case to the Employment Appeals Tribunal.
Unicef Ireland has indicated it will defend its decision, should a case come to the tribunal.
Tensions heightened over the weekend as the Irish section of the charity denied it had dismissed the South African national because of the media treatment of her relationship with the late broadcaster Gerry Ryan. It said it had taken the action because she did not see the publicity as an issue that needed to be “controlled and contained”.
In its statement yesterday, apparently issued in an attempt to call a halt to the public exchanges between the two parties, Unicef HQ said the urgent priority of the international body was the humanitarian crisis unfolding in the Horn of Africa, where two million children faced death due to starvation and disease.
“Acknowledging the decision of the board, acting within its authority under Irish law, and also recognising the many contributions Melanie Verwoerd has made to Unicef, the time has come to look beyond this dispute and focus on these children,” she said.
“The Irish National Committee has, over the years, been deeply dedicated to our common cause – just as the Irish public has been, and we believe will continue to be, among our strongest supporters.
“An amicable resolution of this dispute would best honour these contributions and, most important, best serve the children who so desperately need our help.”
When contacted by The Irish Times, and asked what might constitute an “amicable solution”, Unicef’s communications spokeswoman said the international body had no more to say beyond the statement.
Asked if the dispute was of concern to Unicef in Geneva, she said: “I think the statement speaks for itself.”
A spokesman for Unicef Ireland said there was nothing more the Irish committee could do to bring a resolution.
“Ms Verwoerd has been legally dismissed. We have honoured her contract and an ex-gratia payment has been made, which has been encashed.
“Unicef Ireland now is moving on and beginning the process of appointing a new executive director. The only outstanding issue now is whether Ms Verwoerd exercises her right to go to the Employment Appeals Tribunal.”
He said it would have been the charity’s preference that the matter had never become a public dispute. Ms Verwoerd could not be reached last night.
