Facts & Figures 1997
The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) is the only UN
organization dedicated exclusively to children.
Founded as part of the United Nations system in 1946 to ease the
suffering of children in the aftermath of World War II, UNICEF
was an expression of the prevailing spirit of the times, a
commitment to face and solve problems collectively. Many of the
world's finest impulses and best intentions come together around
children. UNICEF helps translate them into action, mustering the
necessary political will and material resources. It cooperates with
other UN agencies, governments, non-governmental organizations
and communities to meet children's needs and to protect children's
rights.
Since 1950, when the General Assembly broadened its mandate,
UNICEF has worked in developing countries on behalf of
children whose futures are endangered by poverty, preventable
diseases, malnutrition, micronutrient deficiencies and the lack of
educational opportunities.
UNICEF helps bring immunization, vitamin supplementation, salt
iodization, oral rehydration therapy, safe water, sanitation and
improvements in curriculum and teacher training into
communities. Narrowing and eventually eliminating gender
disparities and promoting the full rights of women and girls are
also central to UNICEF's work. And when crisis threatens
children, whether it is war, natural disasters or exploitation,
UNICEF responds.
Much has been accomplished by the unique partnership for
children that UNICEF has helped build. Immunization alone has
saved about 20 million young lives since 1980. Since 1946, the
mortality rate of children under five has been virtually halved;
since 1950, primary school enrolment rates have been rising. And
in the course of improving their children's lives, communities are
developing their own strengths.
Needless to say, much remains to be done. The Convention on the
Rights of the Child is infusing new energy and ideas into the
struggle on behalf of children, widening the range of steps that can
be taken to ensure children's first call on the resources and care of
their families, communities and the world. UNICEF is guided by
the Convention as it works towards the year 2000 goals for
children set out at the 1990 World Summit for Children.
UNICEF is also guided by the vision of peace and social progress
enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations, which remains a
vital goal for the world and one towards which children can lead
the way. As Henry R. Labouisse, then Executive Director, said in
accepting the 1965 Nobel Peace Prize awarded to UNICEF, "The
most important meaning of this Nobel award is the solemn
recognition that the welfare of today's children is inseparably linked with the peace of tomorrow's world."