Our Mission

Child Survival

UNICEF and its supporters believe that no child should ever die from a preventable cause- lack of proper nutrition, safe drinking water, affordable vaccines or other basic necessities.

Thanks to UNICEF's unparalleled reach, expertise, access and influence, innovation, efficiency and resolve, UNICEF has successfully led an effort that has reduced child mortality in half since 1990, and yet 16,000 children still die every day of preventable causes.

We are committed to doing whatever it takes until we achieve our goal of reaching zero preventable deaths, and every child has a safe and healthy childhood.

Water & Sanitation

UNICEF works in more than 100 countries to improve access to clean and secure supplies of water and convenient sanitary facilities. UNICEF also promotes basic behaviors such as frequent hand-washing with soap.

Nutrition & Food Security

Malnutrition is linked to nearly half of all childhood deaths. UNICEF is intensifying efforts to reach the hardest-to-reach, most isolated communities to ensure that all children have the nutrition they need to grow, learn and develop.

By treating malnutrition in the first 1,000 days of a child's life, UNICEF has helped cut the number of children badly affected by stunting by nearly 100 million since 1990.

Immunization

UNICEF is the world's largest buyer of vaccines, providing immunization for more than one third of the world's children.

Since 1980, UNICEF has helped quadruple immunization rates for children worldwide. Today, infant and childhood vaccination saves up to 3 million children's lives a year.

Child Protection & Development

Every day, millions of children - forced into labor, prostitution or armed groups - are denied their right to safety and security. UNICEF's child protection programs strive to create a world where every child grows up free from fear and harm.

Whatever the cause, and despite chaos and risk, UNICEF and partners will be on the ground to deliver life-saving medicines, water, sanitation & hygiene support, basic health care, education and psychosocial services.

Education & Schools

Education transforms lives. Education for girls is particularly important - an educated mother will make sure her own children go to, and stay in, school.

From building child-friendly schools, making classrooms mobile, training teachers or rebuilding an entire educational system - UNICEF will do whatever it takes to support a child's right to education.