About Us

UNICEF helps children to get the education they need.
UNICEF/HQ05-0323/Josh Estey

UNICEF is part of the United Nations and is the largest global organisation working especially for children. The name UNICEF stands for the United Nations Children's Fund.

UNICEF works to make sure that children all over the world have access to education and health care and are protected from exploitation, neglect and abuse. UNICEF also works during emergencies including war and natural disasters like the tsunami, earthquakes, floods and famines.

UNICEF helps children get the care and attention they need when they're little, and encourages good quality education for every girl and boy. It works to reduce the number of children who become ill or die, and to protect children affected by diseases, including HIV and AIDS. UNICEF supports young people, wherever they are, in making informed decisions about their own lives, and strives to build a world in which all children live in dignity and security.

UNICEF works to hold adults in all countries responsible for their promises to children made in the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.

Youth Advisers can take part in conferences and events.
UNICEF UK/2007

UNICEF has long-term programmes in countries that require a high level of assistance with building or improving basic systems like health care, education and sanitation.

A decision to work in a particular country is based on certain information, such as the number of children who suffer from malnutrition, the number of children not receiving an education, or infant mortality rates. These are called country performance indicators.

If a country has poor country performance indicators, UNICEF will work with that country to improve those particular areas, provided their government agrees to it.

UNICEF UK

UNICEF UK is one of 36 UNICEF National Committees based in industrialised countries. Each committee raises money to support UNICEF's work in developing countries, and campaigns for changes to help children all over the world.

UNICEF UK works to spread awareness of issues that particularly affect children, as well as areas where people may not automatically think about how children are involved. One example is the current Unite for Children, Unite against AIDS campaign.

In addition, UNICEF UK works with midwives in the UK to help them to help mothers to breastfeed their babies; this is our Baby Friendly Initiative.

The organisation also works with UK schools to make sure young people's rights are respected.

And, through Tagd, UNICEF UK is committed to helping young people to get involved in every aspect of UNICEF’s work. We don’t just work for young people; we work with you.

• Visit the UNICEF UK website.