Unicef UK Annual Report 2012

Unicef is making unprecedented progress. With our focus on reaching the very most disadvantaged and excluded children, we are translating our commitment to children’s rights into action. Over the past decade the number of children dying before their fifth birthday has reduced dramatically from more than 12 million in 1990 to 6.9 million in 2011. Routine immunisation has helped to protect children – deaths from measles have fallen from 548,000 to 158,000. More than two billion people have gained access to safe water. Ninety percent of children are now enrolled in elementary education.

At Unicef UK our voluntary income increased by over 11 percent in 2012 thanks to the generous response of our donors – individuals, companies, trusts and local groups. Soccer Aid and our engagement with the London 2012 Games were triumphs. These successes are remarkable, especially set against a bleak economic backdrop and reports of declining donations to charities. Nonetheless, government support for Unicef’s global work remains enormously important. We are proud that the Department for International Development, having given Unicef the top rating for value for money in their recent review, continues as the second largest funder of Unicef amongst all the governments of the world.

Through the Enough Food IF campaign, we have joined forces with others to call for an end to world hunger at the 2013 G-8 summit hosted by the UK. We look forward to our unique partnership with the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow through which we aim to make a difference to lives of children across the Commonwealth. With the crucial help of our supporters, we are resolute in making a real difference so that children worldwide survive and thrive.