UNICEF UK is one of 37 UNICEF National Committees based in industrialised countries. UNICEF National Committees raise funds for UNICEF’s worldwide emergency and development work. In 2005 UNICEF UK raised £50.4 million for UNICEF’s work with children worldwide.

UNICEF UK also advocates for lasting change for children. For example UNICEF UK’s Public Affairs Team works to change government policies and practices that are detrimental to children’s rights in the UK and internationally.

UNICEF’s global structure

UNICEF’s global activities, policy work and fundraising are coordinated by two international UNICEF offices: one in New York and another in Geneva.

UNICEF also has two specialised offices: the Supply Division, based in Copenhagen, who manage our series of supply centres – so essential in emergencies – and the Innocenti Research Centre in Florence, well-known for its authoritative publications on children.

UNICEF’s global reach

UNICEF is the leading children’s organisation, reaching children in more than 150 countries around the world. We work with local communities, organisations and governments to make a lasting difference to children’s lives.

Our global reach allows us to share knowledge across borders while our local presence – almost 85 per cent of UNICEF staff work in developing countries – means we can deliver assistance where it is needed most. With our worldwide presence, UNICEF is ready to respond rapidly wherever disaster strikes, delivering life-saving help for children.

Protecting children

UNICEF believes that every child should have clean water, food, health care, education, and a safe environment in which to grow up. UNICEF upholds the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and works to hold the international community responsible for their promises to children.

Our funding

UNICEF is not funded by the UN. Instead, we rely on voluntary donations to fund our work for children worldwide. UNICEF UK raises funds for these programmes through donations, the sale of cards and gifts, partnerships with companies and special events.

UNICEF UK is a registered charity.