UNICEF << YOO nuh sehf >> is the commonly used name for the United Nations (UN) agency officially called the United Nations Children’s Fund. The name comes from the agency’s original title—United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund.
UNICEF aids children in over 190 countries and territories by assisting governments in such areas as health care, nutrition, water supply and sanitation, education, and services for pregnant women and women with young children. In addition, the agency provides relief supplies in emergencies.
UNICEF works to protect the rights of every child as expressed in the Convention on the Rights of the Child. This convention, adopted by the UN General Assembly in 1989, includes the rights to health care, proper nutrition, education, freedom of expression, and protection from unfair treatment. The agency was created in 1946 to help children in Europe after World War II (1939-1945). It became a permanent part of the UN to help all children in 1953. In 1965, UNICEF received the Nobel Peace Prize for its accomplishments.
UNICEF depends entirely on voluntary contributions. Most of its income comes from governments.
