UNICEF Funding Approved by United States Congress
Congress approved 2019 funding for UNICEF. Now is the time to ask your members of Congress to maintain critical support for UNICEF in 2020. Read more and take action.
UNICEF and partners are working tirelessly all over the world to save and protect children.
Great news for vulnerable children and their champions: After months of tense negotiations between the White House and Congressional leaders, Congress recently passed a compromise spending package for Fiscal Year 2019. Reflecting the strong bipartisan support on Capitol Hill for America's global engagement, the FY 2019 International Affairs Budget is funded at $56.1 billion, an increase of $193 million (0.3%) compared to FY 2018. UNICEF supporters helped make this possible, with thousands of letters, phone calls and visits to legislators.
The FY 2019 package includes the U.S. Government's annual contribution of $132.5 million to UNICEF core resources, to protect the world's children. With a presence in 190 countries and territories, UNICEF has saved more children's lives than any other humanitarian organization in the world. UNICEF receives no funding from the United Nations; program support depends entirely on voluntary contributions from governments, nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), foundations, corporations and private individuals.
Happy students in a UNICEF-supported school in Feremandougou, a village in northeastern Côte d'Ivoire. © UNICEF/UN0241782/Dejongh
With FY 2019 negotiations complete, Congress now turns its full attention to the FY 2020 budget and appropriations process. The Administration's FY 2020 budget request — which could be released the week of March 11 — is expected to once again propose dramatic cuts to the International Affairs Budget.
Top photo: Students carry UNICEF backpacks into their drawing class in Aden City, Yemen in 2018. © UNICEF/UN0188072/Fuad
