Humanitarian Partnership
Reaching children around the world with the Republic of Korea
Korea’s humanitarian assistance to UNICEF
The Government of the Republic of Korea is a critical partner and donor to the humanitarian landscape. By designating UNICEF as one of its priority partner organizations in multilateral development, the government has been a strong and consistent supporter of UNICEF’s humanitarian work for many years. One of the most enduring aspects of this partnership has been the Republic of Korea’s commitment to addressing the needs of children in humanitarian crises, for which UNICEF receives emergency funding from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Since joining the Grand Bargain in 2020, the Government of the Republic of Korea has increased its humanitarian funding and adopted procedures to fast-track funding for emergency situations. It is also on track to becoming a $40 million annual donor to UNICEF’s humanitarian assistance in the coming years.
Region
The Government of the Republic of Korea has provided generous support to all seven regions of the world through UNICEF’s Global Humanitarian Thematic Funding as well as in response to individual crises. Humanitarian assistance for global programmes constitutes the largest portion of this support, followed by funding for the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), South Asia (ROSA), Europe and Central Asia (ECARO), East Asia and the Pacific (EAPRO), West and Central Africa (WCARO), Eastern and Southern Africa (ESARO), and Latin America and Caribbean (LACRO).
In 2024 the government provided thematic funding for global vaccination efforts and supported a dozen countries in crisis through UNICEF, including Central African Republic, Czech Republic, Ethiopia, Moldova, Myanmar, Poland, Romania, the State of Palestine, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Ukraine.
Sector
The Korean Government’s approach to humanitarian assistance is grounded in respect for universal humanitarian principles. It seeks to provide appropriate assistance based on national priorities, prioritizes the most urgent needs for efficiency, strengthens the humanitarian-development-peace nexus, expands partnerships, and lays the foundation for aid to North Korea.
Integrated, cross-sectoral humanitarian responses have received the largest proportion of support, followed by assistance in education, health, child protection, and WASH (water, sanitation, hygiene). In 2024 the government also contributed to cross-sectoral and health funding.
UNICEF's global humanitarian action
"Out of the 22 safe spaces for children in Nepal, 8 have been funded by the Government of the Republic of Korea, thanks to which UNICEF Nepal has been able to support over 360 children with play and psychological care in the aftermath of the floods and landslides in 2024."
Jee Hyun Rah, Deputy Representative, UNICEF Nepal
In situations of conflict and natural disasters it is always children who suffer first and most. Across the globe, children today are facing a myriad of urgent humanitarian crises that threaten their lives and rights – from conflict and displacement to infectious disease outbreaks and rising rates of malnutrition. These crises often intersect, exacerbating each other and creating a dire situation. Throughout the year, outbreaks of violence coincide with other devastating crises, all of which disproportionately affect children.
With over 75 years of experience, UNICEF knows how to reach children at risk, providing them with such essential services as life-saving emergency supplies, safe spaces, and psychosocial support. As one of the few dual-mandated agencies with the responsibility to provide both humanitarian and development assistance, UNICEF has the credibility and expertise to provide integrated support across the entire disaster continuum, including preparedness, disaster risk reduction, climate change adaptation, humanitarian response, and resilient recovery.
In 2023, UNICEF responded to 412 emergencies in 107 countries. UNICEF provided support to over 26 million people with a comprehensive range of child-protection services and facilitated the alternative care or reunification of over 253,000 children. UNICEF's emergency support extended to over 42 million people with WASH services. In 2023, UNICEF procured $5.24 billion in goods and services for children in 162 countries and areas. UNICEF shipped life-saving supplies such as thermal blankets, water purification tablets, medicines and medical equipment, nutrition, water, hygiene and sanitation, and education supplies in response to the unfolding humanitarian emergency.
Together with its partners, UNICEF is making every effort to uphold the rights of every child amid the ever-increasing humanitarian needs around the world. UNICEF has partnerships at all levels. In more than 190 countries and territories, UNICEF’s civil society partners offer a broad range of expertise and experience, even in the toughest places in the world. UNICEF recognizes, respects, trusts, and strengthens the role of local actors in leading and coordinating humanitarian action. By investing in local actors’ institutional and technical capacity, UNICEF ensures that communities are empowered to address the needs of children affected by humanitarian crises and to pave the way for long-term, sustainable development.