About Us

UNICEF works for children around the world

UNICEF, the United Nations Children’s Fund, works to build a better world for every child, every day, everywhere. UNICEF provides more children with clean water, life-saving therapeutic food and vaccines, education and protection from violence than any other humanitarian organisation.

UNICEF works with families, local communities, organisations and governments in more than 190 countries to help every child realise their full potential. In everything we do, the most vulnerable children and those in greatest need have priority.

UNICEF is a multilateral child-rights organisation established by the UN with 70 years of field-tested expertise, a network that spans the globe, a passion for innovation and a commitment to make every penny count. Impartial and non-political, UNICEF is never neutral when it comes to protecting children’s rights and safeguarding their lives and futures.

UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, reaching the furthest from help, the most disadvantaged and the most at risk. UNICEF saves children’s lives with vaccines, clean water and therapeutic food. UNICEF protects children from violence, exploitation and abuse. And UNICEF helps children fulfil their potential, by supporting quality education and training. UNICEF works for every child, to build a better world for everyone.

UNICEF in the UK

The United Kingdom Committee for UNICEF (UNICEF UK) is a UK registered charity that raises funds for UNICEF’s emergency and development work around the world and advocates for lasting change for children worldwide. This includes, for example, working to change UK Government policies and practices that are harmful to child rights in the UK and internationally. UNICEF UK is one of 33 UNICEF national charitable organisations based in industrialised countries.

In the UK, UNICEF UK works with the hospitals where children are born, the schools where children learn and grow, and the services that shape their lives, to make sure that every child has the same chance to shine.

In 2020, we helped nine out of 10 maternity units across the UK, supporting around 600,000 new babies as they enter the world. Around 1.5 million children go to schools that are becoming Rights Respecting, building an environment where every child is safe, respected and nurtured. And we are working with local governments in all four nations of the UK to help make our cities and communities places where all children, especially the most vulnerable, feel safe, heard, nurtured and able to flourish.

All over the world, including here in the UK, UNICEF promotes and protects the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. UNICEF works with partners and supporters to raise funds, promote children’s voices and create lasting change for children.

Support UNICEF today to help our work to create a better world for every child.