Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most frequently asked questions about UNICEF
Looking for answers about UNICEF? You're in the right place. Learn about our mandate, governance and funding, and the many ways to partner, work and engage with us.
FAQs
UNICEF is the United Nations Children’s Fund. We help protect the rights of every child, everywhere, and support the most disadvantaged children and adolescents around the world.
UNICEF supports child health and nutrition, safe water and sanitation, quality education and skill building, HIV prevention and treatment for mothers and babies, and the protection of children and adolescents from violence and exploitation.
Before, during and after humanitarian emergencies, UNICEF is on the ground, bringing life-saving help and hope to children and families.
Learn more about what we do to help children survive, thrive and fulfil their potential.
Across more than 190 countries and territories, UNICEF works to protect the rights of every child, especially the most disadvantaged and those hardest to reach.
UNICEF country and regional offices turn this commitment into action, working side by side with governments and partners to achieve results – from emergency response to long-term system strengthening. In over 30 countries where UNICEF does not perform programmatic activities, National Committees for UNICEF serve as our dedicated voice, helping to raise funds for UNICEF’s work worldwide, to promote children’s rights, and to lift visibility for children threatened by poverty, disasters, armed conflict, abuse and exploitation.
Explore our work around the world.
On 11 December 1946, the United Nations established UNICEF to meet the emergency needs of children in post-war Europe and China. Our full name was the United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund.
In 1950, the UNICEF mandate was broadened to address the long-term needs of children and women. UNICEF became a permanent part of the United Nations system in 1953, when our name was shortened to the United Nations Children's Fund. However, UNICEF retained its original acronym.
The Executive Board is the governing body of UNICEF, providing intergovernmental support and oversight to the organization, in accordance with the overall policy guidance of the United Nations General Assembly and the Economic and Social Council. Learn more about Executive Board members, sessions, decisions and more.
UNICEF relies entirely on voluntary contributions. Support our work by making a donation of any amount now or explore other ways to take action.
UNICEF collects data to monitor the situation of children and young people around the world. Find data by country and topic, data visualizations and dashboards, and more on data.unicef.org.
For UNICEF publications and other resources, including the latest State of the World’s Children report and Annual Report, visit our publications section.
Explore more on our digital libraries for:
UNICEF is funded entirely through voluntary contributions from millions of people around the world and our partners in government, civil society and the private sector. For detailed information, go to the latest Annual Report or visit our funding pages.
UNICEF works in some of the hardest-to-reach places to protect children’s rights and safeguard their futures. But we don’t do it alone. We unite with the public sector, private sector and civil society in over 190 countries and territories. Whether you’re an organization or an individual supporter, learn more about opportunities for partnering with UNICEF.
UNICEF’s Information Disclosure Policy outlines explicitly our commitment to making information about programmes and operations publicly available. As a signatory to the International Aid Transparency Initiative (IATI), UNICEF provides open and comprehensive public access to operational and programme data through its Transparency Portal. Learn more about accountability and transparency at UNICEF.
UNICEF's work depends on a global network of dedicated employees, consultants, partners, suppliers and volunteers delivering for children every day.
We are looking for committed professionals ready to take on the challenge of advancing children’s rights, helping meet their basic needs, and expanding their opportunities to reach their full potential.
Learn more about how you can join our team.
UNICEF engages more young people on global issues than any child rights organization on the planet.
If you are between 13 and 24 years old, check out how people like you are getting involved and join U-Report, a platform for community participation empowering an international movement for positive social change.
We’re bringing together some of the world’s leading experts to help you with everything from practical tips to debunking harmful myths and misinformation. Science-backed information you can trust. Find out more on UNICEF’s Parenting Hub.
Our Press Centre has the latest press releases, official statements, expert sources, and more. For additional information, you can also contact our Media team.
UNICEF photographs, videos, audio, print materials and other assets are available to professional media and others for authorized use. Visit our WeShare database to explore our multimedia packages. If you wish to mirror, reproduce, republish or translate any of the information available on the website for wider dissemination, please refer to UNICEF’s copyright and terms of use.
The unauthorized use of the UNICEF name and logo is against international law and is expressly forbidden.
UNICEF takes all reports of alleged wrongdoing and misconduct seriously. For information on how and what to report, visit our How to Report Wrongdoing guide.
If you have information on fraud, corruption, sexual harassment, abuse of authority, sexual exploitation and abuse or waste and mismanagement involving UNICEF staff, consultants, institutional contractors, vendors or implementing partners, please report the matter directly to UNICEF's Office of Internal Audit and Investigations.