About us
UNICEF Global Supply and Logistics Hub is based in Copenhagen, Denmark, with regional hubs in Brindisi, Dubai, Guangzhou and Panama.
UNICEF's supply and logistics headquarters - Supply Division - is located in Copenhagen, which is also home to the largest humanitarian warehouse in the world.
Supplies are essential to fulfil children’s rights. Supporting child survival and development programmes around the world, UNICEF-procured supplies are critical in providing for children’s health, education and protecting them from abuse, exploitation, and neglect.
UNICEF procures and supplies over 5,000 products to address the needs of children. In 2021 the value of the goods and services that UNICEF procured on behalf of countries rose to its highest in the organization’s history: $7.181 billion. Driven in part by the exponential demand for COVID-19 related supply items, this figure represented a 61 per cent increase compared to 2020.
As well as supporting UNICEF’s ongoing programmatic activities, the Supply function provides rapid supply response to emergencies.
UNICEF also procures and supplies essential commodities on behalf of governments and other partners in their efforts. These procurement services can also include in-country logistics, capacity building, and project management.
Ensuring the global availability of essential supplies through influencing markets for lifesaving commodities such as vaccines, essential medicines and health products, and implementing a range of supply chain models to ensure these supplies are delivered to children, are two overarching focuses.
Who we are
Supply and logistics staff around the world support the planning, procurement and delivery of essential products for children’s health, education and protection.
In 2022, 1,308 staff based in 116 countries and representing 147 nationalities are coordinating the procurement and delivery of supplies every day to equip children and families for a healthier, safer and more hopeful future. Working in 198 offices across 116 countries, we form the Supply Community and contribute to the realization of child rights through supplies that are fit for purpose for children.
How we work
We work with governments, partners and suppliers to procure and deliver supplies that meet the needs of children and young people around the world. Our work is not possible without partnerships around common goals for children.
Approximately 80 per cent of UNICEF’s procurement is done in collaboration with other United Nations agencies. This leads to efficient, cost-effective solutions and the sharing of technical expertise to respond to some of the most urgent demands around the world.
UNICEF also procures essential products on behalf of governments and other partner organizations, as our network of suppliers and partners allows us to support them in achieving more for children. In collaboration with partners, we also support governments in strengthening national supply chain systems.