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United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund (UNICEF)
UNICEF came into existence in response to the tragedy of Second World War. On 11th December 1946, the General Assembly of United Nations resolved to establish the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund. The purpose of the fund was to provide emergency relief to the children of the War affected Europe and China.
The activities of UNICEF started in the year 1947. In the early sixties, the situation in Europe had improved; the organization changed its focus to other continents. There were millions of children in Africa, Middle East, Asia and Latin America who were living in very difficult circumstances and needed UNICEF’S’s attention. Thus in 1953, the UN General Assembly changed the name of UNICEF to United Nation’s Children fund, dropping the International Emergency component and made it a permanent body. However by that time the initial UNICEF had become so popular, that the assembly decided to retain it.
UNICEF is unique UN organization in several aspects. Instead of having mandatory support from the member countries, it has to depend on voluntary donations from the governments and public. It is governed by an executive board of thirty six members. Each member has tenure three years and every year one-third of members are elected. The head quarters of UNICEF is based at United Nations, New York. It operates through its seven regional offices. The UNICEF’s South Asia regional office, which is based at new Delhi, covers Afghanistan, Bangladesh, India, Maldives, Mongolia, Nepal, Pakistan and Sari Lanka.
Achievements
Since its inception, UNICEF has chalked up several achievements. The 1959, UN declaration on children’s rights was a strong support for UNICEF even though it was not a Law or binding on the member states. In 1965 UNICEF received the Nobel Prize for peace. During the International year of the women in 1975, mothers received an important place in the UNICEF’s agenda. The children’s fund also started literacy programs for women. 1979 was the international yaer of the children. That year, a workgroup started designing a convention for the rights of the children. Finally, in 1990, a convention of heads of states was held on the “rights of the children”. This time the declaration took the shape of international Law, which was ratified by 187 countries by September 1996.
UNICEF has been working with the World Health Organization (WHO), member countries and NGOs in the field of child immunization against Diphtheria, Pertusis, Tetanus, Polio and Measles. It also assists in control of Dehydration due to Diarrhea by promoting Oral Rehydration treatment (ORT) and also in combating Iodine Deficiency Diseases (IDD).
“Baby friendly hospital initiative (BFHI) “was initiated in June 1991 with primary objective to create awareness and promotion of Breast Feeding. WHO collaborated in this and developed “ten steps to successful breast feeding”.
Current Priorities of UNICEF
Early Childhood development working to ensure that every child has access to nutrition, water and sanitation, and protection
Girls Education working to ensure that every child, especially girls, completes a quality primary school education
Immunization plus working to protect all children from preventable deaths and disabilities
HIV/ AIDS working to stop the spread of HIV/AIDS and ensure that children and young people already affected by the disease are cared for
Child Protection working to protect every child so that all children can grow up free from violence, exploitation, abuse and discrimination.
Last edited by Dr Abu Zar Taizai on Fri Nov 08, 2013 6:54 am; edited 5 times in total (Reason for editing : Format Setting and Spelling ,Mistakes)
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