FAQ
About UNICEF
What does the acronym UNICEF stand for?
• UNICEF was established on December 11, 1946 by the United Nations to meet the emergency needs of children in post-war Europe and China. In 1950, its mandate was broadened to address the long-term needs of children and mothers in developing countries everywhere.
• UNICEF became a permanent part of the United Nations system in 1953. It was then that its name was shortened from the United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund to the United Nations Children's Fund, although the original acronym was retained.
What is the link between UNICEF and UN?
UNICEF is an integral part of the UN system and mandated by the United Nations General Assembly to help realize the rights of children everywhere to survival, development, protection and participation. Its budget, however, is independent of the UN as a whole.
How is UNICEF's budget used?
UNICEF global expenditures amounted to US$1,273 million (2002), of which 93% (US$1,188) was given to programme cooperation.
UNICEF budget in China for 2004 amounted to:
• Health – 42 %
• Education and Child Development – 14 %
• Protection and Community Services (PCS) - 8 %
• Local Planning and Action for Children (LPAC) – 13 %
• Child's Environment and Sanitation (CES) - 4 %
• Planning, Advocacy, Communication and Knowledge (PACK) – 5%
• Natural Disaster Emergencies – 1%
• Inter-sectoral Programme – 5%
Who gives UNICEF its funding and how much?
• UNICEF derives its income entirely from voluntary contributions. The two primary sources of these contributions are governments and intergovernmental organizations, and non-governmental/private sector groups and individuals.
• Total contributions to UNICEF in 2003 amounted to $1,688 million, an increase of 16% over 2002 contributions of $1,454 million. This growth results from substantial increases in emergency contributions and the positive effect of the appreciation of some donor currencies in relation to the US dollar on recorded contribution values. After adjustments, $1,680 million was recognized as income, compared with $1,447 million in 2002
• Contributions from governments and intergovernmental organizations accounted for 67% ($1,136 million) of total contributions. An additional $515 million (31%) was provided by non-governmental and private sector sources, while $37 million (2%) was derived from a variety of other sources, including interest income.
UNICEF China:
UNICEF programme allocation 16.7 million (2004)
Allocations given to UNICEF for specific project activities (Other Resource Funding) in 2004:
• Hong Kong Committee – US$ 1,751,300
• CDC/USA – US$ 1,540,000
• US Fund for UNICEF – US$ 1,116,700
• PSFR/China – US$ 308,000
• UK Committee – US$ 209,200
• CIDA – US$ 194,000
• Japan Committee – US$ 167,800
• ADB – US$ 121,900
• OR Global Thematic – US$ 108,100
• UNAIDS – US$ 100,300
• AusAID – US$ 71,000
• UNDP – US$ 40,700
• French Committee – US$ 24,000
• PLM/China - $12,600
• Korean Committee - $9,800
How does UNICEF raise its funds from the private sector?
• UNCEF has 37 National Committees that serve as its advocacy and fundraising arm in the industrialised nations. The National Committees run fund-raisers, organize events, information databases, workshops, solicit donations through direct mailing, and sell greeting cards, all with the intent of raising the awareness of people to the challenges facing developing countries.
• Assigning Goodwill Ambassadors and celebrity supporters who help promote UNICEF and raise public awareness.
• UNICEF has several partnerships. Starwood Hotels and Resorts, British Airways and Rotary International are some of the companies and organisations that help UNICEF raise money. In 1995 Starwood Hotels and Resorts launched “Check out for children” which invites each hotel guest to donate US $1 toward children’s immunisation. This has raised 10 million US dollars globally.
• Sponsoring events organized and run by children themselves, such as radio and television shows.
How many percent of the UNICEF staff is located in the field?
86% of UNICEF's staff work in the field.
Does UNICEF have an intern programme?
Yes. It is administered thorough New York headquarters and open to Masters' degree students for up to three months with no pay. Some country offices also welcome intern-like volunteers, as we do in China.
UNICEF China
How many UNICEF offices are there in China?
UNICEF has one office in China, located in Beijing.
How closely does UNICEF work with the Chinese government?
UNICEF supports the Chinese government's work for the children of China. Since there is a relative lack of NGOs in China, UNICEF works more closely with the government in China than in many other countries.
Does UNICEF have a lot of influence in China's policies?
The role of UNICEF is to make suggestions and advise the government on its policies concerning children. UNICEF cooperates with different ministries and can thereby bring its international experience and expertise to bear and thus positively influence policy development.
What NGOs does UNICEF cooperate with in China?
• China Association for Science and Technology (CAST)
• Maternal and Child Health Center, Center of Disease Control
• Chinese National Committee for the Care of Children (CNCCC)
• Chinese Association for the Prevention of STD/AIDS
• China Center for Town Reform & Development (CCTRD)
• China National Center for Children (CNCC)
• Soong Ching Ling Foundation
• China Disabled Persons Federation (CDPF)
• National Working Committee for Children & Women (NWCCW)
• All-China Women's Federation (ACWF)
• China Development Center for Children (CDCC)
• National Patriotic Health Campaign Committee Office (NPHCCO)
Greeting Cards
Where do the designs of the cards come from?
The designs are donated by artists all over the world, including some children artist from China.
Where do the greeting cards get printed?
UNICEF greeting cards use recycled paper. Most of them are printed overseas in countries such as Canada, France and Switzerland.
Where are the greeting cards sold in China?
Greeting cards are available in the UNICEF Beijing showroom. They can also be purchased via sales volunteers in 14 cities in China.
Where will the funds raised through the sale of greeting cards go?
Funds raised in China are only used for UNICEF's projects in China.
