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A boy in Thailand gives the victory sign | Photo © UNICEF/HQ05-0401/Palani Mohan

Reach, expertise, access, innovation, efficiency, resolve

These are the values that guide our work and make UNICEF unique.  They are why we have saved more children's lives than any other humanitarian organization—and why we believe in zero.

UNICEF's reach

Operating in more than 150 countries, UNICEF has a proven track record and the know-how and resources to get the job done. With its on-the-ground staff and one of the largest supply networks in the world, UNICEF is there with far-reaching programs that help children survive and thrive. And because of its ongoing global presence, UNICEF is always one of the first on the scene in a crisis, providing rapid emergency assistance in the critical early hours that can mean the difference between life and death for survivors.

UNICEF's expertise

With more than 60 years of experience saving children's lives, UNICEF has an extraordinary level of technical expertise that is backed by a network of highly skilled field staff and teams of professionals in public health, disease prevention, logistics, political systems, human rights, education and emergency response.

UNICEF's access and influence

UNICEF works at the family, community, regional and country level—with direct access to policy makers and local organizations—to create lasting positive change in areas as far-ranging as maternal and child health, nutrition, HIV/AIDS, water and sanitation, education and child protection. So trusted is the UNICEF name that in recent years, UNICEF and its partners have been able to negotiate ceasefire "days of tranquility" in a number of conflict areas—most recently between warring factions in Burundi and Sudan—to immunize children against killer diseases like measles and polio.

UNICEF's innovation

UNICEF has helped develop simple, affordable, and innovative solutions to complicated problems. A few examples: birthing kits to help women have safe deliveries; oral rehydration salts to treat diarrheal dehydration in children; portable School-in-a-Box kits to make classes possible almost anywhere; and solar-powered cold storage units to transport vaccines to remote villages. All of these are now in standard use by many humanitarian organizations, saving millions of children's lives.

UNICEF's efficiency

UNICEF uses its contributions wisely and is trusted as one of the most efficient non-profit organizations in the world. Every dollar UNICEF spends on low-cost, highly effective, sustainable solutions usually leverages additional dollars of support in bringing that project to scale. In the U.S., funds are raised by the U.S. Fund for UNICEF, which receives the highest ratings from watchdog organizations including the Better Business Bureau's Wise Giving Alliance's Standards for Charity Accountability and has also received 5 consecutive four-star ratings from Charity Navigator, America's premier independent charity evaluator.

UNICEF's resolve

Regardless of the complexities, politics, or the cultural issues at play, UNICEF can get things done. There is no social condition it won't work to improve, no logistical hurdle it won't try to surmount, and no system it is not willing to challenge. The mission will continue until no more children die needlessly, anywhere—until we get to zero.

 

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Annual Report


2009 Annual Report

Click to view a PDF of our 2009 Annual Report online, or right click to save it to your desktop.

Recent News

September 2, 2010

U.S. Fund for UNICEF eligible for $200K in funding from American Express

The U.S. Fund for UNICEF has been selected as a candidate for funding from American Express through Members Project®, a partnership between American Express and TakePart. A win in this current round of voting could mean $200,000 for UNICEF child-friendly projects in refugee and displaced persons camps around the world. On-line voting has begun and is open to anyone who has joined Members Project.

September 1, 2010

UNICEF’s Next Generation announces Project Ethiopia to fund neonatal health

Less than 2 years after its founding, UNICEF’s Next Generation, a group for young professionals who are passionate about UNICEF’s work, has raised $500,000 to support UNICEF’s lifesaving programs around the globe and is launching its third program-specific fundraising goal to help mothers and babies in Ethiopia.

Believe in Zero

Fieldnotes Blog

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September 1, 2010

UNICEF High School Clubs - what a great way to start the school year

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August 31, 2010

Caryl Stern - "our only cause is children."

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August 30, 2010

Monday photo: First day of school in Madagascar

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