UNICEF works in over 190 countries to help every child realise their full potential. We deliver practical programmes in over 150 less-developed countries, where 88 per cent of our staff are located.

All over the world, we're ready to respond rapidly when emergencies strike, delivering life-saving help for children. Did you know UNICEF is also the world's largest distributor of vaccines, vaccinating a third of the world's children?

Find out more about some of the countries UNICEF works in below.

 
 
 
  • A girl stands infront of a UNICEF tent © UNICEF/NYHQ2008-1297/Olivier Asselin

    Democratic Republic of Congo The Democratic Republic of Congo is a vast country with immense economic resources. But it's also been at the centre of several major wars with neighbouring countries and rebel groups. This has left the DRC in the grip of an almost permanent humanitarian crisis.

  • UNICEF has estimated that over two million young children are malnourished and in need of urgent life-saving action in East Africa. High food prices and a prolonged drought are worsening an already dire situation for many thousands in need of food and water. We estimate that half a million children are facing imminent life-threatening conditions, with long lasting consequences to their physical and mental development. The countries most seriously affected are Kenya, Somalia, Ethiopia, and Djibouti. Global acute malnutrition rates in Northern Kenya are now above 25 per cent, and as high as nearly 40 per cent in the Turkana district. Thousands of families are crossing the border from Somalia as emergency feeding centers are being set up by UNICEF and other humanitarian agencies in neighbouring countries. The refugee situation is growing with some 10,000 arriving every week in Dadaab on the border between Somalia and Kenya. The threat of disease on already weakened young children is of particular concern and UNICEF is urgently setting up child immunization campaigns. Along with other government agencies and NGOs, we will be working in the vital areas of water, food and sanitation in the coming days to ward off a massive emergency. However funding shortfalls, and in some areas the denial of access, threaten to disrupt these essential services. UNICEF is asking for US$ 31.9m (£24.5m) for the coming three months to provide vital life-saving support. © UNICEF/NYHQ2011-0997/Holt

    East Africa In 2011, children across East Africa faced a desperate crisis caused by prolonged drought, soaring food prices and ongoing conflict in Somalia. It left 6.7 million children needing urgent help. 

  • A baby being fed in Haiti © UNICEF/NYHQ2010-1372/Marta Ramoneda

    Haiti Haiti became the world's first independent Caribbean country when it ended French colonial rule ended in the early 19th century. However, in recent decades poverty, conflict and instability have left it the poorest nation in the Americas. The 2010 earthquake has made matters even worse. 

  • In 2007 in Honduras, a boy reaches for a toy at a centre for disadvantaged children in the city of San Pedro Sula, Cortés Department. The centre is supported by UNICEF. © UNICEF/NYHQ2007-2854/Giacomo Pirozzi

    Honduras Although Honduras has made progress toward achieving many of the Millennium Development Goals, nearly two thirds of the nation's population still lives below the poverty line.  

  • NEW DELHI, INDIA – One of International Inspiration’s ambassadors, Denise Lewis, took a trip to India in 2009 to see the project taking place. © Rajiv Kumar/ International Inspiration/ India 2009

    India India’s commitment to respecting children’s rights is reflected in national policies and strategies which relate closely to the UN Convention on the Rights of Children. 

  • Vincent, 8, an Ivorian refugee, waits to be registered © UNICEF/NYHQ2011-0161/Adolphus Scott

    Ivory Coast UNICEF works in Ivory Coast to deliver vital health, education and water and sanitation programmes, such as vaccination campaigns, treatment for malnutrition and delivering school-in-a-box kits so children can continue their education. 

  • Zulhumar kisses her son © UNICEF/NYHQ2010-1249/Cliff Volpe

    Kyrgyzstan Kyrgyzstan became an independent country after the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991. It is a Central Asian state bordering China. Poverty is widespread through out the country and ethnic divisions between north and south occasionally spill over into violence. 

  • A girl watches a peaceful demonstration in Martyrs' Square formerly called 'Green Square' in Tripoli, the capital of Libya. © UNICEF/NYHQ2011-1422/GIOVANNI DIFFIDENTI

    Libya In 2011, an uprising in Benghazi began against the backdrop of the Arab Spring movement. 

  • A girl from the nomadic Peuhl © UNICEF/NYHQ2010-1570/Pierre Holtz

    Niger A large country on the edge of the Sahara desert, Niger has been ruled by the military for most of the time since independence. The UN rates it as one of the world's least-developed nations. The country is prone to droughts and sometimes struggles to feed its population. 

  • A child’s painting © UNICEF/NYHQ2009-1639/Walid Ikky

    Occupied Palestinian Territories UNICEF works with the Palestinian Authority, the Israeli government, and a broad range of partners to protect children from the impact of violence, and to prevent further deterioration in their conditions and well-being.