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The United States of America

UNICEF public-sector partner

Young students raise their hands during class in Somalia. — UNICEF/UN0307653/Knowles-Coursin

As UNICEF’s largest donor, the United States of America (USA) is an indispensable partner. Our partnership with the US Government is broad and diverse, spanning humanitarian and development programmes across key areas of UNICEF's work, including health; education; early child development; water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH); nutrition; child protection; gender equality; HIV and AIDS; immunization; and research programmes.

To advance our mission to end extreme poverty, reduce inequality and achieve the Sustainable Development Goals, we work with several US Government agencies, including the Department of State, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

The Government of the United States continued to be UNICEF’s largest supporter in 2019, providing US$743 million in overall funding. The US was also the largest contributor to UNICEF’s flexible Regular Resources – funds essential to our ability to respond immediately and effectively to crises.

Additionally, through the State Department's Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration; USAID (the Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance, and Food for Peace); and others; the Government of the United States was UNICEF’s largest 2019 resource partner in humanitarian response ─ providing access to education, protection, health care, nutrition services, and clean water for the most vulnerable girls and boys in crisis situations across the globe.

In 2019, the US Food for Peace Program increased its contribution, allowing UNICEF to reach more children with essential nutrition interventions. Since 2016, over two million severely malnourished children have received life-saving therapeutic food in 25 countries, thanks to the support of the US Government. The UNICEF and US partnership has also made 118 million doses of essential polio vaccines available for children around the world.