For every child, results
UNICEF works for the rights of every child, every day, across the globe.
UNICEF was established in the aftermath of World War II to help children whose lives and futures were at risk – no matter what country they were from.
Nearly 80 years later, the world continues to face momentous crises including cuts to funding for children, growing violations of international humanitarian law, and increasing challenges to universal child rights. Through the decades UNICEF has remained undaunted and unwavering in its work for children, focusing on what every child needs to survive, be safe, and grow. And with our partners we have made historic progress.
Day-in and day-out, we work in some of the world’s toughest places to reach the children who are most at risk and most in need. Millions of children are alive today thanks to this work. Millions more have seen their safety protected, their health improved and their futures brightened.
We are UNICEF. We stand for every child, everywhere. And we never give up.
5 ways UNICEF achieves results for children
1. Local presence, global reach
UNICEF is active in more than 190 countries and territories, working in the world's toughest places to reach the children in greatest need. Our vast network of skilled and committed staff and partners means we can take successful approaches from one place in the world and adapt them to meet challenges elsewhere, helping drive results for children at a global scale.
UNICEF is funded entirely by voluntary contributions, support that makes a difference. More than 90 per cent of all UNICEF spending is on direct programmes for children, helping to save lives, protect children and build a more resilient future.
1 in 4 births globally
happen in UNICEF supported health centres.
150 million children
gained access to education through UNICEF support since 2021.
Over 2.1 billion people
gained access to safe drinking water in the last two decades.
Luul’s recovery from severe malnutrition in Somalia
Two-year-old Luul was suffering from severe malnutrition and whooping cough when she was brought to the stabilization centre at Benadir Hospital. She was treated with therapeutic milk and other medications to aid in her recovery.
UNICEF plays a crucial role in supporting hospitals that treat severely malnourished children, delivering therapeutic foods and providing essential micronutrients.
2. Emergency response and readiness
UNICEF is on the ground before, during and after humanitarian emergencies, providing children with access to water, sanitation, nutrition, education, health and protection services. Our global supply chain and local presence mean we can get help to where it's needed fast – we can ship lifesaving supplies almost anywhere in the world within 72 hours.
Just as important, UNICEF stays and delivers. How we respond in crises lays the foundation for long-term development, just as how we work in non-crisis situations helps communities to weather future shocks.
Over 400 humanitarian crises
each year: UNICEF is there, working to save children's lives and protect their rights.
Over 100 million people
in emergencies reached with water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) services in the last three years.
18 million people
gained access to basic sanitation services in 2024.
What does UNICEF do for children in times of crisis?
The chaos and insecurity of war threatens children's access to food, shelter, social support and healthcare.
In times of conflict UNICEF stays and delivers, doing everything in our power to advocate for the protection, safety and rights of all children.
3. Delivering innovation and impact, for less
UNICEF is committed to making every dollar go further to save and improve children and young people’s lives.
As the world’s largest buyer of lifesaving supplies, such as vaccines and ready-to-use therapeutic food (RUTF), UNICEF has unique leverage with suppliers. Our expertise enables UNICEF to consider production and supply chain challenges, provide timely access to supplies and, most importantly, save more lives.
Innovation is also at the heart of UNICEF’s ability to achieve results for children and young people. We work to scale up and support new technologies and products that help us reach the hardest-to-reach children and communities.
45% of all children
under five are protected by vaccines procured by UNICEF.
Oxygen Plants-in-a-Box
the fastest product innovation in UNICEF’s history – are increasing oxygen production capacity and saving children’s lives.
80% of all RUTF
the life-saving therapeutic food used to treat dangerous malnutrition is secured by UNICEF.
In Pakistan, fighting pneumonia with oxygen
One-year-old Muhammad was suffering from pneumonia when he was brought to hospital in Charsadda, Pakistan, where he received life-saving oxygen therapy. Oxygen is an essential treatment for children suffering from severe pneumonia and other critical illness.
UNICEF installed five new oxygen plants in Pakistan and supported capacity building for healthcare professionals, improving critical care for newborns and young children.
4. Powerful partnerships
We reach more children and young people than any other international organization, but we don’t do it alone.
Strong partnerships with governments, NGOs, civil society and the private sector make UNICEF’s work for children possible. In turn, our credibility, impartiality and record of achieving results make us a partner of choice.
Global brands – from Ikea and Lego to Microsoft – leverage their resources and drive innovation to help children and young people. Our exceptionally generous supporters make a difference through donating, volunteering and being advocates for children in their communities.
And of course, UNICEF’s ability to achieve results for every child depends on our most important partners – governments, which provide critical resources that enable us to reach children wherever they are.
Polio is 99.9% eradicated
A core partner of the GPEI, UNICEF vaccinates over 400M children against polio annually.
Under-five deaths are down 60%
since 1990. UNICEF’s Child Survival Revolution has been the foundation of global progress for decades.
21 million adolescent girls
reached with services and support through the UNFPA-UNICEF Global Programme to End Child Marriage.
Protecting children from deadly diseases in Bhutan
In 2023, Bhutan achieved 99.6 per cent immunization coverage for children under one year old, protecting them from life-threatening diseases like diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough, hepatitis B and influenzae.
UNICEF helped to equip healthcare facilities with high-quality cold chain equipment, ensuring that the vaccines remained potent and reached every child.
5. Influential voices on child rights
UNICEF is the world’s leading voice for and with children, advocating for funding and policies that improve outcomes for children globally. Impartial and non-political, we are never silent about violations of children’s rights.
Our research and reports are a leading source of data and information on the situation of children and young people around the world for journalists, researchers, policy makers and advocates.
Our Goodwill Ambassadors help inspire people around the world to support the cause of children.
In all we do, we work to engage and empower young people to have a voice in the decisions that affect their lives.
Over 35 million young people
can voice their opinions through U-Report, UNICEF's digital platform for youth engagement.
144 million birth registrations
have been supported by UNICEF since 2021, safeguarding children's rights and access to essential services.
Around 190 countries
take part annually in World Children's Day, UNICEF’s global day of action for children, by children.
