What is UNICEF?

UNICEF, which stands for the United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund, primarily focuses on growing adolescents in developing countries. This includes third world nations such as those in Africa and South America. UNICEF focuses on the critical impact social and economic policy issues have on children

How does UNICEF operate?

Overall management and administration of the organization takes place at headquarters, where global policy on children is shaped. Specialized offices include the Supply Division, based in Copenhagen, which provides such essential items as the majority of life-saving vaccine doses for children in developing countries. With its strong presence in 190 countries, UNICEF is the world's leading advocate for children.

Headquarters

• UNICEF Headquarter locations -Headquarters, New York, USA
• Regional Office for Europe, Geneva, Switzerland
• Supply Division, Copenhagen, Denmark
• Innocenti Research Centre, Florence, Italy
• Brussels Office, Belgium
• Office for Japan, Tokyo, Japan

Regional

• The Americas and Caribbean Regional Office, Panama City, Panama
• Central and Eastern Europe, Commonwealth of Independent States Regional Office, Geneva, Switzerland
• East Asia and the Pacific Regional Office, Bangkok, Thailand
• Eastern and Southern Africa Regional Office, Nairobi, Kenya
• Middle East and North Africa Regional Office, Amman, Jordan
• South Asia Regional Office, Kathmandu, Nepal
• West and Central Africa Regional Office, Dakar, Senegal

National Commitees

• Andorra
• Australia
• Austria
• Belgium
• Canada
• Czech Republic
• Denmark
• Finland
• France
• Germany
• Greece
• Hong Kong, Special Administrative Region, People's Republic of China
• Hungary
• Iceland
• Ireland
• Israel
• Italy
• Japan
• Korea, Republic of
• Lithuania
• Luxemburg
• Netherlands
• New Zealand
• Norway
• Poland
• Portugal
• Slovakia
• Slovenia
• Spain
• Sweden
• Switzerland
• Turkey
• United Kingdom
• USA

How we can help

1) Donating money - There are multiple options for donating to the UNICEF organization. You can donate a one time donation ranging in price to however much you feel comfortable donating. The link for that donation type is found here: https://www.unicefusa.org/donate/help-save-childrens-lives/29534 You can also donate monthly which of course will take more out of your savings, but will do so much to help those in need. The link for that can be found here: https://support.unicef.org/campaign/donate-monthly/donate

2) "Buy an Inspired Gift" - Inspired gifts give twice – a child in need will receive a lifesaving item such as a vaccine or school supplies, and you will receive an e-card showing how a gift has been sent. For every UNICEF Inspired gift you purchase, an item is dispatched from the warehouse in Copenhagen and transported to a child in need in any one of 150 countries where we work. We respond to the real needs of children around the world.

3)"Leave a legacy" -Giving in your will is the best way to ensure future generations of the world`s most vulnerable children can survive. A legacy ensures disadvantaged children are protected from abuse, exploitation and are assured of the healthcare and schooling. Your legacy would provide sustained, long-term programs for children in the future.

Fun facts

• The organization is the largest buyer of mosquito nets, buying 25 million in 2006
• UNICEF procures for 40% of the world's children, which is equivalent to about 3 billion doses
• UNICEF was founded on December 11, 1946 in New York City. They were created by the United Nations General Assembly.
• The Copenhagan warehouse is the size of three football fields
• Initially it was set up to provide emergency food and healthcare to children in countries that had been devastated by World War II