What do we do?
We protect childhood, for every child
Childhood is universal, and we are here to protect it, for every child
For over 75 years, UNICEF has been protecting childhood by ensuring more of the world’s children are vaccinated, educated, and protected than any other organisation.
We operate the largest humanitarian warehouse on Earth. Our emergency response builds long-term resilience among the most vulnerable children.
And we influence laws and policies to create lasting change for children. In UNICEF, the C stands for children.
Discover our work
We protect children during emergencies
Right now, we are supporting millions of children in the aftermath of conflicts and disasters around the world. We are also protecting children who are living in vulnerable circumstances.
Such as Nirob in Bangladesh, who used to collect rubbish at the Kamalapur Railway Station. He was sleeping rough on the platforms, using a sack to shield himself from the cold. The UNICEF supported Street Hub has given him a safe place to eat, sleep, learn and build a life away from the streets.
In Ukraine our medical teams are looking after the physical and mental health of children.
We’re reaching children in Yemen with life-saving therapeutic food, health care and clean water.
Learn more about how we help keep children safe in an emergency.
I love to sing, draw and play football. I am happy here, I can sleep peacefully.
Nirob, 10, on the UNICEF supported Street Hub, Bangladesh
We protect children with clean water and sanitation
The lack of clean water, sanitation and hygiene facilities affects children’s heath and education. Many children, especially girls, miss classes because of water-related illnesses.
In the past four years, we’ve helped almost 70 million people access safe water and sanitation.
In Yemen, we support children like 9-year-old Zainab whose health was at risk without access to clean water and sanitation.
After UNICEF improved the water and sanitation facilities at her school, Zainab and her friends can focus on their education in a safe environment.
Learn more about our water and sanitation work.
Now I can use the bathroom comfortably.
Zainab, 9, on improved water and sanitation facilities at her school, funded by UNICEF.
We protect every child’s right to an education
Historically, children with disabilities and learning difficulties have been the most excluded from educational systems. We are dedicated to changing that.
In partnership with governments, communities and parents we are working to provide every child with access to a quality education. In 2022, we helped to make sure almost 40 million out-of-school children could keep learning.
In Jamaica, we have piloted Accessible Digital Textbooks for All – an initiative that is making sure education is available, affordable and inclusive for every child.
This has helped children like Ari who were born with hearing loss to break down barriers to their learning and communication.
Learn more about our education work.
This is my first time reading a book that has sign language.
Ari, 6, on using UNICEF's accessible digital textbook in Jamaica
We protect children with vaccines
Since 1980, we have helped quadruple immunisation rates for children across the world, saving up to 3 million children’s lives a year.
More children are protected than ever before, but there is still more that needs to be done.
As in the case of 2-year-old Anirlan who lives in the far North of Mongolia with her mother, Otgonbayar. The life-saving vaccines Anirlan needs are hundreds of miles away. We help reach half the world’s children like Anirlan with life-saving vaccines every year, to protect them from dangerous diseases like whooping cough, measles and polio.
Learn more about our vaccination work.
I want my daughter to be vaccinated to keep her healthy and happy.
Otgonbayar, toddler Anirlan's mother
How do I learn more about UNICEF?
Since UNICEF was created in 1946 to help protect children after World War 2, the C has always stood for children. Now the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child is the basis of all our work. Today we’re still helping children in some of the world’s most dangerous places, so every child can have a safe and healthy childhood no matter who they are or where they live.
Children are at the heart of our work. They are the heart of UNICEF.
