About UNICEF
- Establishment: 1946, initially as the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund, to assist children affected by the Second World War.
- Name change: In 1953, it became a permanent part of the UN system and was renamed the United Nations Children’s Fund, while retaining the acronym UNICEF.
- Headquarters: New York City, USA.
- Mandate: To protect children’s rights, meet their basic needs and help them achieve their full potential.
- Operational reach: Works in more than 190 countries and territories.
- Recognition: Awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1965 for its contribution to international solidarity and the welfare of children.
Organisational Structure
- Executive Board: 36 Member States elected by ECOSOC for three-year terms; oversees policies, programmes and budgets.
- Executive Director: Heads the secretariat and daily operations.
- Regional Offices: Seven offices coordinate country-level programmes.
- Funding: Entirely through voluntary contributions from governments, organisations and individuals.
UNICEF India
- Polio eradication: UNICEF supported India’s polio immunisation efforts alongside the Government of India and other partners. India reported its last wild poliovirus case in 2011 and was certified polio-free as part of the WHO South-East Asia Region in 2014.
- Youth empowerment: Through initiatives such as YuWaah (Generation Unlimited in India), UNICEF works with young people and partners to promote skills, employment and participation.
Conclusion
UNICEF plays a vital role in advancing child rights, improving human development and supporting countries in achieving child-related Sustainable Development Goals.
| The concept has been mentioned in the following article Smriti Mandhana Appointed UNICEF India Celebrity Advocate |