Around the world, millions of boys and girls are growing up in crisis regions. One in six children is displaced or living in a conflict zone. They have lost their homes, are subject to violence and have no access to medical care or education. Who protects the rights of these children when they are in danger?
WE ARE. UNICEF stands by them during these challenging times. Together with our dedicated partners, we protect children, stand up for their rights, and deliver lifesaving aid to over 190 countries. But we cannot do it alone. We must not look away while governments cut their aid funding.
Together we can give children hope for a better future.
What we’ve achieved for the world’s children
UNICEF is non-partisan, but never indifferent, when it comes to protecting and caring for children. Thanks to your help, we have achieved some remarkable things:
- More children are surviving today than ever before. The child mortality rate has fallen 60% since 1990. UNICEF improves health care for mothers and children around the world. Today, one in four births occurs in a UNICEF-supported facility.
- 154 million lives have been saved through vaccinations. UNICEF is the world’s largest supplier of vaccines, and in 2023 alone supplied around 2.8 billion vaccine doses to 105 countries. Polio has been almost eradicated, thanks to our combined efforts.
- 2.1 billion more people have access to safe water. In the past 20 years, UNICEF has provided millions of people with access to safe drinking water – and provides emergency supplies to 85% of the world’s crisis regions.
- Malnutrition cases have fallen by 40%. UNICEF is the world’s largest supporter of nutritional programs and supplies up to 80% of the global need for special therapeutic foods. 300 million children were given food aid in 2023.
- More children are attending school. In the 1950s, only half of all children received an elementary school education – today it’s 90%. Since 2021, UNICEF has helped over 25 million children return to school and assisted 30 million through digital platforms.
Decades of progress under threat
Decades of progress are now under threat because important funding sources have announced significant cuts to foreign aid funding. But crises are increasing around the world, putting millions of children at risk. Over 110 million children are dependent on vital assistance. But even as the need rises, many countries are making cuts to their funding of humanitarian aid and development.
Children urgently need our help and protection. How can we do it? Together. Your support counts – now more than ever.