UNICEF in North America
UNICEF’s work in North America focuses on supporting vulnerable children and families across Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean through programs in health, education, protection and more.
How UNICEF supports children in Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean
UNICEF’s emergency response and long-term programs in health, education and protection focus on meeting the evolving needs of children and families across Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean, where overlapping and protracted crises — including climate-related disasters, public health risks and displacement — continue to affect communities.
Across the region, floods, hurricanes, droughts and other climate shocks continue to disrupt access to safe water, health care, education and protection services, particularly in remote and underserved communities. These disruptions, combined with poverty, violence and displacement, continue to affect children’s health, safety and learning outcomes.
Through its country offices, and in partnership with governments and other local organizations, UNICEF helps children in Belize, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua and Panama, and in the following island nations and territories in the Caribbean: Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, British Virgin Islands, Cuba, Dominica, the Dominican Republic, Grenada, Haiti, Jamaica, Montserrat, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago and Turks and Caicos Islands.
Supporting and protecting children on the move in North America
Core to UNICEF's mission is protecting the rights of child migrants including those traveling through Mexico and Central America. UNICEF works to address the conditions that force children to leave their homes — often unaccompanied by a parent or caregiver — while supporting safe, protective services along migration routes and at key border areas. This work includes supporting shelters and service providers at the U.S.-Mexico border and along migration routes.
Learn more about how UNICEF helps child migrants in the region
UNICEF's work also focuses on:
- strengthening health systems and expanding access to essential services, including immunization
- improving child nutrition and preventing and treating malnutrition
- ensuring access to safe, quality and inclusive education
- building community resilience and strengthening preparedness for extreme weather and other climate hazards
UNICEF also supports governments and partners to strengthen preparedness and response systems, including early-warning mechanisms, shock-responsive social protection and coordination across sectors to ensure continuity of essential services during emergencies.
UNICEF in Haiti
Haiti faces a complex and protracted humanitarian crisis driven by armed violence, displacement, food insecurity, disease outbreaks and recurring climate shocks. Children are among the most affected, facing heightened risks to their safety, health and well-being.
Escalating insecurity fueled by conflict among armed groups has disrupted access to essential services, including health care, education and safe water. Many families have been displaced, and children face increased risks of violence, exploitation, family separation and forced recruitment. At the same time, food insecurity and malnutrition remain widespread, and outbreaks of diseases such as cholera continue to pose serious threats.
UNICEF is delivering integrated, lifesaving support across program areas. This includes mobile services to reach hard-to-access communities, treatment for malnutrition, support for safe water and sanitation, and access to learning opportunities and psychosocial support. Working with national and local partners, UNICEF is strengthening frontline services, supporting community-based responses and helping build more resilient systems to better prepare for and respond to future shocks.
UNICEF also supports children affected by displacement and cross-border movements, providing protection services, family reunification support and assistance for vulnerable children, including those at risk of exploitation or recruitment.
Learn more about UNICEF's emergency response in Haiti — and how to help
UNICEF works in over 190 countries and territories to help ensure the world's children are healthy, educated, protected and respected. Help increase UNICEF's impact for children. Donate today.