UNICEF

UNICEF, originally established as the United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund in 1946, has been known since 1953 as the United Nations Children's Fund, while retaining its well-known acronym. It is a United Nations agency dedicated to providing humanitarian and developmental aid to children worldwide. Operating in 192 countries and territories, UNICEF is one of the most recognized and active social welfare organizations globally.

Its work encompasses a wide range of programs, including immunization campaigns, disease prevention, treatment for children and mothers affected by HIV, nutrition improvement, sanitation enhancement, education promotion, and disaster relief efforts.

UNICEF was created on December 11, 1946, in New York, by the U.N. Relief Rehabilitation Administration to assist children and mothers impacted by World War II. Later that year, the U.N. General Assembly formally established UNICEF to institutionalize its relief efforts. In 1950, its mandate expanded to address the long-term needs of children and women, particularly in developing nations. By 1953, UNICEF became a permanent part of the U.N. system.

The organization is entirely funded by voluntary contributions from governments and private donors, with a total income of $8.37 billion in 2023, $5.45 billion of which came from public-sector partners. A 36-member executive board, consisting of government representatives elected by the United Nations Economic and Social Council, governs UNICEF by setting policies, approving programs, and overseeing financial and administrative plans.

UNICEF's focus is on creating community-level services to support children’s health and well-being. Most of its operations take place through a network of 150 country offices, along with headquarters, national committees, and seven regional offices offering technical assistance. Its Supply Division, based in Copenhagen and New York, delivers over $3 billion worth of critical aid and services annually.

In 2018, UNICEF’s initiatives included assisting in the birth of 27 million babies, administering vaccines to 65.5 million children, educating 12 million children, treating 4 million for severe acute malnutrition, and responding to 285 humanitarian crises across 90 countries. UNICEF has received numerous accolades for its contributions, including the Nobel Peace Prize (1965), the Indira Gandhi Prize (1989), and the Princess of Asturias Award (2006). During the COVID-19 pandemic, UNICEF collaborated with the World Health Organization and other partners to provide guidance on healthy parenting.