Kits That Fit
UNICEF has developed an innovative system for customizing emergency supply kits based on feedback from the people receiving them. Locally assembled, and containing locally sourced items as much as possible, these Kits That Fit are continuously reviewed and updated to ensure they are fit for purpose. Learn more.
Humanitarian supplies tailored to people’s needs in emergencies
Too often, those facing emergencies struggle to get the specific supplies and support they need. In many cases, emergency kits distributed to communities are generic and not context-appropriate. The lack of available mechanisms for learning what people really want and need creates a mismatch between the support communities receive and their most pressing priorities.
So UNICEF came up with an innovative solution: Kits That Fit, a system that empowers people to voice what they need most to start the road to recovery.
The feedback is collected confidentially through a multi-language, anonymized digital platform end-users can access via QR code, text or phone. It runs on UNICEF’s mainstreamed technologies, such as RapidPro for mobile text and the Internet of Good Things for low-bandwidth environments.
Individuals can share thoughts and comment on the content and quality of the items received. What UNICEF learns, it leverages for continuous improvement. In Kits That Fit's first year, thousands of people submitted input, helping to update and refine the contents of supply kits that ultimately reached more than 1 million people.
In Ukraine, U-Report surveys revealed 97 percent satisfaction with the quality of hygiene and dignity kits and provided useful suggestions on products that could be included in the future. In Kenya, a token system for WASH (water, sanitation and hygiene) kit distribution lets people make decisions and pick the products they need most.
Related: When it comes to emergency response, trust the experts
Understanding precise needs to ensure support is impactful, relevant
In Türkiye, feedback elicited via the Kits That Fit digital platform led to improvements in UNICEF's emergency supply response in the country. UNICEF received hundreds of written responses through the platform, mainly from parents and young people who had received a standard WASH kit and had suggestions for ways to make the kit more suitable for children and families in crisis.
In response, UNICEF created three new hygiene kits tailored to families, mothers and babies. That evolution from one generic WASH kit to four stand-alone specialized kits enhanced the delivery of gender-appropriate items, such as undergarments, menstrual products and adult diapers, reaching over 907,000 individuals in 2023.
Related: UNICEF Supply Powerhouse: Delivering for the World's Children Since 1962
Putting local actors in the driver's seat of humanitarian response
What goes into a Kit That Fits is sourced locally as much as possible. UNICEF collaborates with and supports local businesses with guidance and capacity building to ensure kits are fit for purpose. As a result, local businesses are empowered to respond to needs in humanitarian procurement with greater agility, innovation and sustainability.
To further support localization, UNICEF partnered with the Humanitarian Logistics Association, tapping into their technical expertise to map local manufacturing capacities and to facilitate the translation of product feedback into concrete requirements.
UNICEF actively involves local businesses and communities in the co-creation of kits to define the customization process and the most suitable products. UNICEF also supports local suppliers to customize the kits based on end-users' needs, providing them with access to feedback data and offering guidance on procurement standards.
A transformative initiative that fuels positive change
In 2024, Kits That Fit was recognized by the 4th Annual Anthem Awards, winning Gold in the Innovation category. The Anthem Awards shine a light on transformative initiatives that fuel positive change worldwide.
