The Challenge, How countries allocate resources to achieve health goals makes a difference for children. To ensure children and adolescents have equitable access to health care and services, Governments must analyze local needs, raise sustainable funds and budget efficiently. But investing in health at the national level requires support. Especially for low- and…, UNICEF’s response, UNICEF strengthens health systems by supporting countries in health financing and related areas. We work with Governments and partners to identify development priorities, improve the efficiency and equity of health spending, and ensure that primary health care and critical public goods are adequately funded. We also help Governments guide and…, Resources, Narrowing the Gaps This report shows that the costs of reaching the poorest children with life-saving, high-impact health interventions would be outweighed by greater results. Structured Dialogue on Financing the Results of the UNICEF Strategic Plan, 2018–2021 This background paper considers leveraging partnerships and resources as a key strategy…, More from UNICEF

The Challenge, Real-world settings are complex, making it difficult for decision makers to account for every factor that influences the success of health interventions: Unexpected human behaviour may prevent programmes and policies from having the intended impact. Challenges in planning and implementation, too, can dampen results. For this reason, even the most…, Linking evidence with practice, Implementation research is one such tool. Implementation research links evidence with practice to advance public health policies and programmes. It helps identify what, why and how interventions work on the ground, where cultural context and other factors can significantly impact their success. It also monitors and evaluates interventions to…, UNICEF’s implementation research programme, UNICEF works to embed implementation research in health programmes, policies and practices to monitor, maintain and improve their effectiveness. We support programmes to design and conduct implementation research in specific country contexts. For example, UNICEF successfully revised a communications strategy to reduce vaccine refusals in Nigeria.…, Resources, UNICEF Implementation Research for Immunization Report, 2015–2018 This report provides an overview of UNICEF’s various implementation research activities with funding from GAVI, the Vaccine Alliance. Implementation Research for Immunization: Pakistan This report presents the outcomes of ten implementation research projects in Pakistan ., More from UNICEF

The Challenge, Accurate data and strong information systems are critical to advancements in public health. Timely, high-quality data uncover inequities in health outcomes and enable decision makers to identify children’s unmet needs. Strong information systems also help policymakers know how and where to invest in health facilities, personnel, vaccines and other…, UNICEF’s work to turn data into action, Strong information systems drive action for children. To accelerate progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals , UNICEF helps countries enhance the availability, quality and use of data. We support evidence-based programmes for maternal, newborn, child and adolescent health by strengthening systems for national health management and…, Resources, UNICEF’s Approach to Digital Health Learn how UNICEF harnesses the power of information and communication technologies to help countries ensure that every child survives and thrives. RapidPro: UNICEF’s Open-Source Software to Power Mobile-Based Services Explore how UNICEF and partners use this digital tool in health programming and beyond.…, More from UNICEF

The Challenge, Millions of children die every year from preventable causes. Disease, injury, environmental hazard and the devastating effects of conflict put children and adolescents around the world in harm’s way. But countless deaths can be avoided with access to vaccines, medicines and other critical health supplies. For various reasons, existing supplies do…, UNICEF’s response, UNICEF helps provide critical vaccines, medicines and other supplies to children across the globe – including in some of the hardest-to-reach places. In 2018 alone, UNICEF procured $1.97 billion worth of health-related supplies from around the world. We work with Governments and partners to strengthen national supply chains, focusing on policy and…, Resources, Sustainable Supply Chains for Health System Strengthening Workshop ( Concept note ) ( Brief recap ) Learn more on how UNICEF supports Governments to strengthen key supply chains in this concept note from a UNICEF conference held in Copenhagen, Denmark, in May 2018. The UNICEF Health Systems Strengthening Approach Learn more about our vision for,…, More from UNICEF

The Challenge, Achieving health results for children requires strong local capacities. Without effective management to support evidence-based planning, frequent monitoring and prompt course correction, even the most promising health programmes and policies can go astray. Communities need well-trained local practitioners to implement effective, equitable health…, Our approach, Strengthens health information systems Improves the use of data in planning and management Improves accountability mechanisms within governments and with communities UNICEF’s approach to strengthening district health systems brings children closer to quality, affordable care and services. Our efforts help local health professionals better use…, Resources, The UNICEF Health Systems Strengthening Approach Learn more about our vision for, and approach to, health system strengthening that reliably serves children, adolescents and women of reproductive age. Use of the RMNCAH Scorecard to Strengthen Data-Driven Service Delivery in a Devolved Health System Framework in Kenya This report shows how UNICEF…, More from UNICEF

The Challenge, In recent decades, the world has seen significant declines in infant and maternal mortality rates. But women and babies still die in staggering numbers before, during and after childbirth. Most of these deaths can be averted with better-quality health care. Worldwide, more preventable deaths – an estimated 8 million – occur from poor-quality…, UNICEF’s response, Quality care can save newborns, prevent stillbirths and protect the lives of mothers. Two out of every three neonatal deaths could be averted by 2030 if the world invests an additional $0.20 per person in low- and middle-income countries – saving the lives of 1.7 million newborns. UNICEF is deeply committed to supporting infants and mothers before…, Resources, Survive and Thrive: Transforming Care for Every Small and Sick Newborn This report from UNICEF and the World Health Organization highlights the need for accurate and reliable data to facilitate planning, measure quality and promote accountability. Every Child Alive: The Urgent Need to End Newborn Deaths Read more about what needs to be done to…, More from UNICEF

T1, UNICEF operates in complex and ever-changing settings. We rely on partners at the global, regional and country levels to reach children with the support they need to survive and thrive. Together, UNICEF and partners must learn from experience to continuously improve our programmes for children. This learning requires strong capacity on the ground…

Foreign Minister Czaputowicz, Special Representative Gamba, civil society briefers Mariatu and Peter, excellencies, members of the Security Council: I join you today in our shared and steadfast commitment to protect children affected by armed conflict ... to prevent their physical and psychological harm … to provide them with a future. First,…

The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child Convention on the Rights of the Child is the most widely ratified human rights treaty in history. The international agreement explains who children are, all their rights, and the responsibilities of governments to protect and fulfil these rights. All the rights are connected, they are all…

Conflict is taking a devastating toll on education. This must not become a forgotten crisis, Thirty years after governments around the world adopted the Convention on the Rights of the Child , the right to an education is being violated in communities hit by conflict in West and Central Africa. Right now, nearly two million children are being robbed of an education in the region due to violence and insecurity in and around their schools.…, West and Central Africa crisis at a glance, en child alert.png This map is stylized and not to scale. It does not reflect a position by UNICEF on the legal status of any country or area or the delimitation of any frontiers. The final boundary between the Sudan and South Sudan has not yet been determined. What’s happening? Many areas in West and Central Africa are witnessing increased…, Learning in peril, When education is under attack, safe schooling in the traditional sense becomes impossible to provide. The threat of attacks creates a sense of fear in local communities, forcing schools to close, teachers to flee and school children to remain at home, unable to learn in classrooms with their peers. Cameroon. A child stands in a classroom in…, Voices from the region, UNICEF UNICEF South Sudan. A girl completes school work in a classroom in Yambio, South Sudan. UNICEF/UN0272634/Holt Mary, who was once abducted by an armed group, completes school work in a classroom in Yambio, South Sudan. Nigeria. A girl pushes her hand against a screen. UNICEF/Kokic Fatima was abducted by an armed group following an attack on…, How is UNICEF helping?, While a classroom is preferable, it is not the only place to provide learning activities. For example, UNICEF and the Children’s Radio Foundation have been collaborating since 2016 on designing and piloting the first-of-its-kind Radio Education in Emergencies programme. UNICEF has also been creating temporary learning centres, which provide a…, Call to action, UNICEF and partners call on governments, armed forces, other parties to conflict and the international community to take concerted action to stop attacks and threats against schools, students, teachers and other school personnel in West and Central Africa – and to support quality learning for every child in the region. To reach these goals: States…