United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF)

UNICEF, originally known as the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund, was created by the United Nations General Assembly in 1946 to provide emergency food and healthcare to children and mothers in countries affected by World War II.
In 1950, UNICEF’s mandate was extended to address the long-term needs of children and women in developing countries everywhere.
- Initially, UNICEF’s mandate was generally limited to the assistance of children in Europe.

In 1953, it became a permanent part of the United Nations System, and the words “international” and “emergency” were dropped from the organisation’s name, though it retained the original acronym, “UNICEF”.
Headquarters: New York City, USA
It works in over 190 countries and territories with 7 regional offices.
UNICEF is mandated by the United Nations General Assembly to advocate for protecting children’s rights, helping meet their basic needs, and expanding their opportunities to reach their full potential.
UNICEF is formally controlled by the UN General Assembly, which regularly reviews its activities.
It reports to the Economic and Social Council, which also appoints its Executive Board.
Funding: UNICEF is entirely funded by voluntary contributions, with no direct financial support from the UN budget.
- Public-sector grants make up approximately three-quarters of the agency’s annual income.
UNICEF is guided by the Convention on the Rights of the Child and strives to establish children’s rights as enduring ethical principles and international standards of behaviour towards children.
In 1965, it was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for “promotion of brotherhood among the nations”.

Governance Structure

The Board consists of representatives from 36 countries, elected by the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) for a term of three years.
It is responsible for approving UNICEF’s policies, country programmes, and budgets. It meets three times per year.

UNICEF is headed by an Executive Director, who is appointed to a five-year term by the UN Secretary-General.

Providing emergency supplies consisting of items needed for children’s immediate survival and recovery from trauma in situations of natural and man-made disasters and conflict.
Promoting the rights of girls to education and training through the United Nations Girls Education Initiative.
Working with governments, civil society, communities, and others to design and implement an array of programmes and policies on early childhood development
Mainstreaming disability such that children with and without disability are included together in equally supportive environments across UNICEF programmes.
Working toward making schools and homes healthier for children through water, hygiene, and sanitation (WASH) programmes that work with governments to create the conditions for ensuring access to clean water, promoting hand washing, and capacity-building.
Developing resources and policy tools for addressing child poverty, including through enhanced measuring criteria such as integrated household surveys.

It reflects UNICEF’s unreserved commitment to promoting the rights of all children everywhere as guided by the Core Commitments for Children in Humanitarian Action.
It is the first of two sequential plans towards 2030, and it represents UNICEF’s contribution to child-focused Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in all settings.
It provides a global framework for country programmes and National Committees.
It will also improve UNICEF’s internal effectiveness and efficiency in supporting the delivery of results and change strategies through five “Enablers”, i.e.
1. Accelerated resource mobilisation
2. Agile, responsive business model
3. Decentralized and empowered internal governance and oversight
4. Dynamic and inclusive people and culture
5. Strategic internal communication and staff engagement
It will guide synchronised action towards acceleration towards achieving the SDGs and attainment of a society in which every child is included, without discrimination, and has agency, opportunity, and rights fulfilled.

The Basic Cooperation Agreement, signed in 1949, marked the beginning of the relationship between GoI and UNICEF.
The Ministry of Women and Child Development is the focal point for communication between India and UNICEF.

Assistance in White Revolution: In 1954, UNICEF funded Aarey and Anand milk processing plants. In 10 years, India had 13 UNICEF-assisted milk processing plants.
Prevention of diseases: It supported India in eradicating guinea worms, helping reduce the cases of Polio.
2011 Census support: Gender issues were mainstreamed into the training and communication strategy for the 2011 Census.
Reduction in MMR: UNICEF support to the National Health Mission and the second phase of the Reproductive and Child Health programme resulted in increased access to institutional and community-based maternal, neonatal and child health services.
Assistance during disasters: Provided assistance during super cyclone in Orissa (1999), Gujarat earthquake (2001), Bihar drought (2006).
Child nutrition: The Communication Campaign on Maternal and Child Nutrition was launched in 2012 to promote nutrition for children.
Reducing child mortality: Call to Action, 2013 was launched to reduce under-five mortality.