Teenage climate activist Greta Thunberg has launched a campaign to fight coronavirus and help the United Nations protect children from the pandemic.

Ms Thunberg used funds she has raised to combat climate change, donating $US200,000 to the UN’s children’s agency, UNICEF, as did the Danish anti-poverty group Human Act to kick off the campaign, UNICEF announced.

The Swedish 17-year-old donated the funds through her non-profit organisation, the Greta Thunberg Foundation, which she established in February.

“Like the climate crisis, the coronavirus pandemic is a child-rights crisis,” Ms Thunberg said in a statement.

“It will affect all children, now and in the long-term, but vulnerable groups will be impacted the most.”

“We must now all act together to protect children and end the devastating consequences of the #coronavirus. Children are the future and they must be protected.” 💙@GretaThunberg pic.twitter.com/wFXSObqqUP

— UNICEF (@UNICEF) April 30, 2020

Children will be affected severely by food shortages, strained health care systems, violence and lost education caused by COVID-19, she said.

Proceeds from the campaign will be used to provide children with soap, masks, gloves and hygiene supplies, according to UNICEF.

-with AAP