UNICEF UNICEF: Program Highlights

We Put Children First EMERGENCY RELIEF or over 70 years, the United Nations UNICEF provides lifesaving aid to victims of drought, Children’s Fund has been putting famine, earthquakes, floods Fchildren first, protecting their rights and and violent conflict. providing the assistance and services they need to survive and thrive. UNICEF has helped EDUCATION save more children’s lives than any other UNICEF shapes education humanitarian organization in the world. policy, promotes teacher training, creates temporary learning centers for kids UNICEF was created in 1946 to provide caught in conflict and lifesaving assistance to children who were provides schools with devastated by World War II. UNICEF USA classroom materials. was the first National Committee created HEALTH CARE to support UNICEF’s activities; as UNICEF UNICEF provides vaccines expanded its reach and the scope of its work to 45% of all children and over the last seven decades, UNICEF USA promotes high-impact health has been there, providing major fundraising interventions for mothers and advocacy support for UNICEF’s global and children. programs for children. NUTRITION UNICEF works to prevent UNICEF has a presence in 190 countries and mother and territories, carrying out programs, fundraising, malnutrition, promote and advocacy. UNICEF provides children with breastfeeding, and respond to severe acute malnutrition water, nutrition, health care, education, UNICEF programs protection and emergency relief, using low- have helped cut by providing 80% of the child mortality rates world’s therapeutic food. cost, high-impact, sustainable solutions. These in half since 1990. efforts have helped slash child mortality rates © UNICEF/NYHQ2015-1097/PANDAY WATER, SANITATION by more than half since 1990 and save 122 AND HYGIENE (WASH) million children’s lives. violence and conflict. The Syrian civil war is In poor and conflict-affected at the heart of this crisis. Since the conflict communities, UNICEF At a time when one out of every four children began in 2010, the number of child refugees provides water and improves sanitation and hygiene to in the world lives in a country or area affected worldwide has jumped by roughly 75 percent. prevent waterborne illness. by armed conflicts, UNICEF and partners work These children are among the most vulnerable tirelessly to reach those in greatest need. In on earth. 2017, UNICEF responded to 337 humanitarian­ UNICEF works to end crises in 102 countries. UNICEF receives no funds from the United child marriage, labor and Nation’s member state dues and so relies on conscription, unite families after disaster, and The gravest humanitarian emergency of our voluntary contributions. More than 88 cents of strengthen national time, the child refugee crisis, has grown to every dollar spent by UNICEF USA supports protection systems. engulf nearly 50 million children, including UNICEF’s work helping the world’s most 28 million children forcibly uprooted by vulnerable children and their families. ● How UNICEF Top 10 Things To Know Helps ● In 2017, UNICEF supplied 2.44 billion doses of About UNICEF vaccines for 102 countries, reaching almost half of the world’s children under age 5. ● UNICEF and partners reached 45 million people with improved water supplies in 2017. ● UNICEF programs in 120 countries help to prevent and treat malnutrition — linked to nearly half of all deaths of children under age 5. ● In emergency situations in 2017, UNICEF and partners provided 8.8 million children with formal and non-formal education. ● 8.8 million children in 2017 accessed some form basic education in emergency situations through UNICEF’s programming. © UNICEF/UNI121500/ESTEVE UNICEF is a human rights and development 1 organization, not a charity. ● UNICEF has a United Nations mandate and more are designed to ensure and How You to advocate for children’s rights, protect children’s rights and development. Can Help to help meet their basic needs and Write a check to ●  to expand their opportunities to reach In conflicts, UNICEF’s commitment UNICEF USA: their full potential. to neutrality allows the organization to 125 Maiden Lane, negotiate cease-fires and set up New York, NY 10038 ● UNICEF is charged with supporting the humanitarian corridors to save and Give online: unicefusa.org Convention on the Rights of the Child, protect children. Give by phone: a global human rights treaty for children. 1-800-FOR KIDS ●  UNICEF holds everyone equally accountable Put UNICEF USA in your ● UNICEF programs on health, education, to children — calling out rights violations of will: contact legacygifts@ water and sanitation, protection, nutrition governments and non-state actors alike. unicefusa.org

2UNICEF believes in equity. ● This vertical access allows UNICEF to ensure the sustainability of programs and to leverage resources across partnerships, ● Every child, everywhere, has a right to survive, develop and borders and programs for maximum impact. reach his or her full potential. Yet, every day, more than 15,000 children under age 5 die from preventable causes.

● UNICEF is committed to changing this for all children — UNICEF is a leader in including the most marginalized and vulnerable. 7 shaping the global ● UNICEF works to address inequity at its root — from child development agenda. poverty, to education and health. ● By the end of the 2000–2015 Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) period, great strides had been made on goals such as poverty reduction and drinking water access, but uneven UNICEF is (almost) progress left millions of children behind. 3 everywhere. ● UNICEF helped shape the 17 Global Goals for Sustainable ● UNICEF is present in over 190 countries and territories, with Development (SDGs) for 2030 to reach every child, tackle programs in 157 countries and National Committees in 33 child poverty, achieve gender equality, end violence against countries conducting advocacy, education and fundraising. children, end preventable child and maternal deaths, empower adolescents and break the cycle of chronic crises. ● Oldest and largest of the national committees, UNICEF USA was UNICEF’s sixth largest donor in 2017. UNICEF has the expertise UNICEF delivers results 8 and data to do the job right. ● UNICEF is the global leader for data on children. UNICEF data 4 for children at scale. shapes policies and programs at the highest levels to reach ● In 2017, UNICEF spent $5.8 billion on program activities and millions of children with lasting solutions. had a staff of nearly 13,000. ● UNICEF offices share knowledge with peers and partners ● UNICEF’s core programs include health, water, sanitation and across the world, working both regionally and globally. hygiene (WASH), nutrition, HIV/AIDS, education, child protection, social inclusion, gender equality/girls’ ● UNICEF funds critical research to identify barriers to progress empowerment and emergency relief. UNICEF also works on and continually improve its effectiveness in providing disabilities, early childhood, safe and healthy environments, evidence-based solutions for children. and adolescent development. UNICEF amplifies children’s UNICEF is a leader 9 voices. 5 in emergencies. ● UNICEF advocates for children to have a seat at the table ● In 2017, UNICEF responded to 337 humanitarian emergencies when it comes to issues affecting their lives and futures, — from conflicts to natural disasters — in 102 countries. from helping shape the SDGs or calling on governments to mitigate the risks of climate change. ● UNICEF is the global leader in emergencies on WASH, nutrition and gender-based violence, and is the co-lead on ● UNICEF’s innovative U-Report empowers adolescents to education in emergencies. hold leaders accountable and to report problems like sexual exploitation in schools, or shortages of drugs in local clinics. ● UNICEF is dedicated to ensuring a set of core commitments to children in humanitarian crisis, no matter where they are. UNICEF is over 70 years ● UNICEF’s humanitarian warehouse in Copenhagen, the world’s largest, can ship supplies anywhere in 48–72 hours. 10 old! ● Founded in 1946 to meet the emergency needs of children after World War II, UNICEF became a permanent part of UNICEF has access the United Nations in 1953. 6 and influence. ● On December 11, 2016, UNICEF celebrated its 70th ● UNICEF partners with governments, shaping policies from anniversary, resolving to continue its mission to realize the top down, while also working at the community level. the rights of every child, everywhere. UNICEF vs. UNICEF USA What’s the Difference?

Mission Mission ● To advocate for children’s rights, help meet their basic needs ● To work for the survival, protection and development of and expand their opportunities to reach their potential. children worldwide through advocacy, education and fundraising for UNICEF’s work. ● To ensure special protection for the most disadvantaged children — victims of war, disasters, extreme poverty, all ● To increase the engagement of all Americans who care about forms of violence and exploitation, and those with disabilities. the well-being of children. Our vision is a better world for children everywhere. ● To promote the equal rights of women and children and to support their full participation in the political, social and Background economic development of their communities. ● UNICEF USA is one of 33 organizations, called national committees, around the world that secures crucial financial Background support and government funding for UNICEF. ● Founded as the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund in 1946 to meet the emergency needs of ● UNICEF USA and other private sector donors raised children in post-WWII Europe and China, UNICEF’s mandate approximately 26% of UNICEF’s operational budget in 2017. was broadened in 1950 to address the long-term needs of children and women in developing countries. UNICEF ● UNICEF USA is headquartered in New York and has regional became a permanent part of the UN system in 1953. offices in Boston, Washington, D.C., Chicago, Atlanta, Houston, Dallas, Los Angeles, and San Francisco. ● UNICEF is non-partisan and its cooperation is free of discrimination. The most disadvantaged children and the Impact countries in greatest need have priority. ● Since its inception in 1947, UNICEF USA has provided UNICEF and various NGOs with $7.2 billion in cash and Impact gifts-in-kind. ● UNICEF views the survival, protection and development of children as universal imperatives, integral to human progress. ● UNICEF USA successfully advocated for Congress to direct the U.S. Government to allocate $132.5 million to ● UNICEF helps countries mobilize the political will and UNICEF in fiscal year 2017 and fiscal year 2018. resources to form policies and deliver services for children.

● UNICEF works towards the attainment of the sustainable human development goals and vision of peace and social progress enshrined in the UN Charter.

● UNICEF responds in emergencies to protect the rights of children. In coordination with UN partners and humanitarian agencies, UNICEF makes its unique rapid response facilities available to provide care for children and relieve their suffering. To donate or learn more about our work, please visit unicefusa.org. October 2018

About Adolescent UNICEF The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) Empowerment works in more than 190 countries and territories to As we make advances on the unfinished put children first. UNICEF has helped save more business in the first decade of a child’s life, children’s lives than any other humanitarian we are also compelled to do more to address organization, by providing their second decade. health care and immuni­ zations, safe water and sanitation, nutrition, Young People: education, emergency relief and more. UNICEF USA A Global Perspective supports UNICEF’s work We have a duty to adolescents — to prepare through fundraising, them for a world that is rapidly evolving, where advocacy and education in education and skills can mean the difference the United States. Together, between employment and unemployment, we are working toward the day when no children die between prosperity and poverty, between hope from preventable causes and despair. With that in mind, UNICEF aims and every child has a safe for every young person to be in school, and healthy childhood. learning, training or employed. By 2030, For more information, the goal is that every young person will have visit unicefusa.org. achieved literacy, numeracy and acquired skills for employability, with knowledge of human rights, gender equality, nonviolence and citizenship.

Of the 1.2 billion adolescents around the U-Report is a social world, more than 200 million of them are out platform created by of school. Lack of schooling and skill-building UNICEF where young people express their leaves them with few long-term employment opinions and can options. With the current pace of change, be positive agents of change in their it will take 100 years for poor children communities.

and adolescents to have the same skill © UNICEF/UN0151179/DEJONGH Key development opportunities as children in rich Terms countries. Girls are at a greater disadvantage UNICEF in Action CHILDREN than boys. Of the over 156 million youth UNICEF is building a partnership dedicated Ages 0–18 not in employment, education, or training, to supporting young people in their second 75% are women or girls. decade of life — an agenda focused on each YOUNG PEOPLE of them being in school, learning, training, Ages 10–24 Investing in adolescents contributes to a or employed by 2030, with a particular focus YOUTH competitive labor force, sustained economic on the most vulnerable, including girls, the Ages 15–24 growth, improved governance and vibrant poorest, those with disabilities, or young people ADOLESCENCE civil societies. affected by armed conflict and displacement. Ages 10–19 UNICEF’s support to governments and Empowered Adolescent Girls in Nepal: The communities includes: teenage girls of Basantpatti are out on the Investing in streets, knocking on doors, stopping women adolescents ● Maximizing adolescents’ physical, mental on their way to the market and handing out and social well-being flyers. They learn about violence, sexual and contributes to reproductive health, child marriage, and a competitive ● Empowering adolescents to learn and negotiation and decision-making skills. acquire relevant skills Afterward, they head out to spread the labor force, word. At their helm is Priyanka Singh: sustained ● Ensuring that adolescents are safe and “We go around the community and we supported speak to them about child marriage… economic We also put posters up on houses with ● Creating spaces for adolescents to be information about child marriage and its growth, civically engaged in their communities consequences. It includes the legal age improved for marriage and where to go and who to Program Snapshot tell if there are incidents.” governance Below are a few examples of what UNICEF’s and vibrant adolescent programming will look like: Youth Employment Solutions (YES!) utilizes the power of information, communication civil societies. UPSHIFT empowers marginalized youth and and technology (ICT) to close the skills gaps adolescents to become social innovators and among the world’s young people. Operating entrepreneurs through training and workshops since 2013, the new YES!DIGITAL Ecosystem for young people, focusing on personal takes the program’s work a step further empowerment, workforce readiness and active by providing youth with a “one-stop eShop” citizenship skills. Through a selection process, for skills training and multiyear data collection. youth-led initiatives gain access to financial The program not only focuses on broad and mentorship support. UPSHIFT was piloted interventions, but also provides localized in a number of countries, including , support, coaching, and connections to labor Montenegro, Vietnam and Kosovo. In Vietnam, and training opportunities that may have 30,000 young people benefited from four otherwise been out of reach to the most UPSHIFT workshops wherein 40 youth-led digitally disadvantaged. ● projects were developed, with half of them for young people with disabilities.

Girls leave after attending computer classes at To learn more, contact Nari-O-Sishu Kalyan Some NameHere at Kendra (Women and Child Betterment Centre) insertname in West Bengal. @unicefusa.org

© UNICEF/UN063162/ALTAF AHMAD © UNICEF/UN063162/ALTAF or 212-000-0000. July 2018

About Child Protection UNICEF 535 million children — nearly 1 in 4 — live in The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) countries affected by violent conflict or disaster. works in more than 190 countries and territories to put children first. UNICEF Millions of children experience the worst kinds has helped save more of rights violations, including violence, trafficking, The parents of children’s lives than any Madhalsi Sarkar, 17, other humanitarian organi­ sexual exploitation, child marriage and female unaware of ’s zation by providing health genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C). Child child marriage act, tried to marry her to a care and immunizations, protection is the prevention and response to 27-year-old man, but clean water and sanitation, such abuse. This includes reaching the most the marriage was nutrition, education, prevented thanks to a emergency relief and more. vulnerable, such as children on the move, those UNICEF-supported UNICEF USA supports living without family, on the streets, in conflict help line. UNICEF’s work through settings, or natural disasters. fundraising, advocacy and education in the United Violations of children’s rights to protection occur States. Together, we are in every country and transcend ethnic and working toward the day when no children die from economic lines. Every seven minutes an preventable causes and adolescent is killed by an act of violence. every child has a safe and If current rates prevail, more than 150 million healthy childhood. additional girls will marry before their 18th For more information, birthday and 68 million more girls will undergo visit unicefusa.org. female genital mutilation (FGM) by 2030. More than 650 million children under the age of 16 never had their births registered, which puts them at risk of missing out on health care and education, and makes them vulnerable to exploitation, child labor and trafficking.

Economic and social inequities often underpin

such violations, which are in turn fueled by © UNICEF/UNI112032/SLEZIC social norms that condone violence. Without effective social protection and judicial systems, UNICEF in Action and evidence-based policies to protect children, UNICEF aims to protect children around the harmful practices proliferate. Victims find world from violence, exploitation and abuse so themselves without means to report their that they can lead healthy and productive lives. situations, hold perpetrators accountable, or To achieve this mission, UNICEF identifies gain access to support services. child protection risks and gaps, assisting governments on budgetary policies and These problems call for solutions that address legislation to protect children: juvenile justice, the systemic and social drivers of protection support for unaccompanied and separated issues, so that government leaders, communi- children, discriminatory practices, birth ties, schools and families can take meaningful registration, trafficking and child labor protective action. prevention. Working in direct partnership with social welfare ministries, UNICEF strengthens driven by war and conflict, poverty and climate systems to report cases of violence, exploitation change. UNICEF is on the ground before, Humanitarian and abuse, and protect vulnerable children. during and after emergencies to stem the aid alone is protection risks children face in times of UNICEF is harnessing data to illuminate the natural disaster and man-made crises. not enough. drivers of violence and inform effective policies In humanitarian emergencies, UNICEF sets Children need and programs. At the country level, UNICEF up child-friendly spaces to give children a works with national and community-based safe space to rest, play, learn and receive peace and leaders to prevent and respond to gender-based psychosocial support. In 2017, UNICEF protection at violence, sexual exploitation, exploitation by responded to 337 emergencies in 102 armed groups, and violence in the home and in countries, reaching 3.5 million girls and boys all times. schools. In 2013, UNICEF launched the End with psychosocial support. UNICEF also works — UNICEF Executive Violence against Children initiative. The initiative to release children from armed groups and Director, Henrietta Fore aims to build political will, accelerate action to provide them medical support, counseling end violence at the country level, and build the and education to help them reintegrate into capacity of governments and partners to work their communities. together in ending violence against children. As of 2018, 20 countries are working under a 2017 UNICEF Child-Protection global partnership to end violence. Convening Snapshot governments, UN agencies, civil society, In 2017, UNICEF: faith-based, private-sector, and NGO actors, the partnership is drawing on lessons learned and ● Spent nearly $690 million on child protection bringing successful initiatives to scale. programs, with 790 child protection staff in 119 countries. Empowering youth as agents of change is a core component of UNICEF’s approach. ● Since 2014, 25 million girls and boys For example, in , UNICEF heard that involved in child labor were reached by one students were being exploited for sex in return or more UNICEF-supported interventions. for grades. In just days, UNICEF polled more than 60,000 youth through a free, open-source ● Helped over 24 million people in almost SMS system called U-Report, and found that 9,000 communities made public declarations 86 percent of children said sexual exploitation to abandon FGM since 2014. was a problem in schools. Using this evidence, UNICEF quickly set up a legislative task ● Helped more than 16 million children to have force to create a hotline to report abuse — their births registered in 58 countries. something that might otherwise have taken years to establish through traditional evidence ● Reached more than 5.9 million children with gathering. mine-risk education.

Working with local community leaders and ● Reached nearly 870,000 girls and women at families is critical to addressing harmful risk or affected by FGM with services. attitudes, customs and practices, such as FGM/C and child marriage. For example, in ● Helped about 36,000 unaccompanied or several West African countries, UNICEF is separated children receive care, reuniting working with governments and NGO partners 19,000 children with their families or to combat FGM/C by informing communities caregivers. about human rights and health risks, and fostering community dialogues about ● Assisted in the release of 12,000 children traditional practices. In just ten years, the from armed forces and groups and then prevalence of FGM/C dropped by half in reintegrated them with their families or communities engaged in the program. communities.

Some 535 million children live in countries ● Reached 3.5 million girls and boys with affected by violent conflict or disaster — from psychosocial support in humanitarian to Nigeria and beyond. Nearly 65 million emergencies. ● people have been uprooted from their homes, July 2018

About Early Childhood UNICEF The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) Development works in more than 190 countries and territories to Nearly 250 million children under age 5 — about put children first. UNICEF has helped save more 1 in 3 children worldwide — are at risk of never children’s lives than any other humanitarian organi­ reaching their full potential. zation by providing health care and immunizations, Advances in neuroscience show that social clean water and sanitation, environments are as important as genetics in nutrition, education, influencing how children develop. Good emergency relief and more. UNICEF USA supports parenting, strong families and enriching UNICEF’s work through environments are key drivers of optimal early fundraising, advocacy and development. During the first years of life, a education in the United child’s brain has the potential to activate 1,000 States. Together, we are brain cells every second. Each one of those working toward the day when no children die from neurons has the power to connect to another preventable causes and 10,000 neurons thousands of times per second. every child has a safe and healthy childhood. Yet nearly half of all three- to six-year-olds For more information, don’t have access to early education, and visit unicefusa.org. nearly one in four children under age five is stunted. When children experience neglect, Naomi takes a break violence and emotional distress in early from teaching to care for childhood, their brain development can be her four-month-old son, Chris Jeremy, at an compromised by stress, which can have ECD center in Kenya.

lifelong negative consequences. By the end of © UNICEF/UN066558/OHANESIAN 2017, approximately 350 million children were living in areas affected by conflict. This can be makes it more likely that children will succeed devastating for the brain development of in school, earn higher incomes as adults, and young children, reducing their future earning provide better education, nutrition and health potential and costing billions in foregone GDP. care for their own children.

Early childhood development (ECD) includes UNICEF in Action investments in a child’s health, education, UNICEF’s global vision for ECD is that all protection and non-cognitive skills, from before children should be physically healthy, mentally birth until age eight. Effective ECD is achieved alert and ready for school through an when children feel cared for, nurtured and integrated approach that includes family protected. It can break intergenerational cycles support, health, nutrition, early education and of poverty in marginalized communities. It can social and emotional learning. improve parent-child interactions, help children develop a critical foundation for learning and UNICEF invests in scaling up access to health improve readiness for school. Quality ECD services and support for the most vulnerable. Every day, 15,000 children under age five die emotional skills, reduce behavioral problems from preventable causes. About half of those and build empathy and resilience when Globally, deaths occur in the first 28 days of life. UNICEF children experience difficult situations later in 51% of works with governments to strengthen health life. For example, in Bangladesh, UNICEF has systems, while also investing in community invested in structured play programs designed preschool health workers to provide access to routine to teach children ways to peacefully resolve age children immunization and maternal, newborn and child conflicts and problems through teamwork. health care. are not Globally, 1 in 11 young children has spent their enrolled in Nutrition is especially critical from conception to most critical period of development growing age two — the first 1,000 days. During this up in conflict. These children need safe spaces early window of opportunity, mothers and babies to learn, play and recover a sense of normalcy need proper nutrition to ensure that children’s amid crisis. UNICEF’s ECD kits provide tools to childhood brains and bodies develop fully. UNICEF works help caregivers meet the special needs of education. to prevent malnutrition by educating and young children in emergencies: brightly empowering mothers with services in support colored paper and pencils, construction blocks, of good nutrition for infants and young children: hand puppets, puzzles and memory games to the promotion of exclusive breastfeeding from stimulate learning, creativity and problem- birth until six months, followed by the solving skills. Coupled with support from introduction of safe complementary foods and teachers, caregivers and parents, young continued breastfeeding for at least one year. children can use the kits to recover from UNICEF also works to prevent and treat trauma — in the aftermath of a natural disaster maternal malnutrition, address micronutrient or during a protracted crisis. deficiencies and treat severe acute malnutrition. 2017 UNICEF Early Childhood In terms of early childhood education, UNICEF Development Snapshot is helping shape national policies, through In 2017, UNICEF: applying standards for early learning, and strengthening teachers’ and parents’ abilities ● Reached 45% of the world’s children with to support children as they transition to school. vaccines, helping to avert millions of child UNICEF uses evidence to pilot successful deaths from preventable diseases. programs and policies and hands these over to governments for long-term implementation at ● Provided 12.5 million children with learning scale. For example, in China, prior to 2010, materials through over 250,000 classrooms only about half of children attended early and self-learning programs. childhood education programs. UNICEF invested $8 million to pilot such programs in ● Improved WASH facilities and services in 29 rural areas, demonstrating their importance over 51,000 schools and 5,000 health for all children. Based on the program’s centers, since 2014. success and UNICEF’s guidance, the government committed to invest $7.8 billion, ● Treated 4 million children for severe acute with a goal to reach all children in China with malnutrition in 67 countries. early childhood education by 2020. This approach — using evidence to design smart ● Delivered micronutrient powders to more pilot programs that shape national policies — than 15.6 million children across 91 is one of UNICEF’s strengths and leads to countries. lasting change at scale. ● Helped over 70% of women living with HIV UNICEF also integrates peacebuilding into its receive treatment for the prevention of early education programs. Attitudes can be mother-to-child transmission of HIV. shaped more easily during early childhood, as children are amenable to bonding with others, ● Provided 8.8 million children access to some including those who are different from them. form of basic education, including pre- Integrating peacebuilding into early childhood primary and early childhood education. ● programs can build critical social and July 2018

About Education UNICEF 263 million children and youth are out of school. The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) works in more than 190 countries and territories to Education is one of the smartest investments put children first. UNICEF to support child survival, growth and has helped save more development. Targeted investments in children’s lives than any education lead to higher income, poverty other humanitarian organi­ zation by providing health reduction, and the empowerment of girls, the care and immunizations, poor and the excluded. On average, just one clean water and sanitation, additional year of education can increase a nutrition, education, child’s earnings later in life by 10 percent. emergency relief and more. UNICEF USA supports UNICEF’s work through From 1970 to 2009, the world saw immense fundraising, advocacy and reductions in child mortality. An estimated 50 education in the United percent of that progress is linked to an increase States. Together, we are in the education of girls and young women. working toward the day Educated women are more likely to see a when no children die from preventable causes and doctor for pre-natal care, and their children are every child has a safe and more likely to be vaccinated against deadly healthy childhood. diseases and see a doctor when they are sick. For more information, visit unicefusa.org. And yet, 263 million children are out of school. In the Côte d’Ivoire, Some 63 million children are missing out on an enthusiastic schoolgirl raises their education due to conflict and crisis. Even her hand in class.

when children are in school, the quality of © UNICEF/UN061310/DEJONGH education is often poor, and they are learning very little. This is not only a missed opportunity. classroom, despite all the efforts and progress It’s a denial of children’s basic human right to made on girls’ education over the past two learn and become productive members of decades. In fact, some 15 million girls of society. primary school age will never get the chance to learn to read or write in primary school Children in the poorest, most marginalized compared to about 10 million boys. communities and situations have the worst chances to gain an education. Those living in UNICEF in Action conflict settings and fragile states, refugees UNICEF works in 155 countries to scale up and the internally displaced, children with access to quality education for the most disabilities, and ethnic minorities are least likely marginalized children. Using an evidence- to get a quality education. Approximately half based approach, UNICEF collects and of children with disabilities who live in analyzes data — through traditional household developing countries are not in school. Girls surveys and real-time crowdsourcing via chat, living in conflict contexts are more than twice text, and social media — to illustrate why and as likely to be out of school. In general, girls how children aren’t getting the education are more likely than boys to never set foot in a they’re entitled to. UNICEF then works in direct partnership with governments at the highest levels to establish the right policies Global and budgets based on country-specific needs. poverty For example, in Georgia, UNICEF’s advocacy was instrumental in the government’s could be adoption of national standards for early cut in half childhood education to all public and private preschools. if all adults completed At the same time, UNICEF works at the community level with administrators, teachers, high school. parents and children themselves to increase access to education in a quality learning environment. Focusing on early childhood education, increasing spending for children in rural areas, and tackling barriers to girls’ education bring massive returns on investment. Oftentimes, families simply cannot afford to send their children to school due to the costs of uniforms, books and transportation. Cash transfer programs for those families can increase school enrollment and retention rates. To ensure the full participation of girls, UNICEF links its education programs with WASH in schools, to make sure girls and boys have separate Children sit in a class at a refugee learning center latrines, and that schools have handwashing in Athens, .

facilities and safe drinking water. © UNICEF/UN057906/GILBERTSON

Once children are in school, they need a quality action plans. In 2017, UNICEF led or co-led the learning environment to succeed. UNICEF emergency education cluster response in 48 supports teacher training and curriculum countries. In Syria alone, UNICEF enrolled development for basic math and literacy skills, 2.2 million children into formal education. social and emotional learning, promotion of education in the children’s mother tongue, and 2017 UNICEF behavior change to tackle discrimination Education Snapshot against children with disabilities and ethnic In 2017, UNICEF: minorities, and prevent violence in schools. ● Provided 12.5 million children with learning For children who cannot attend formal school, materials through nearly 250,000 classrooms such as those living in conflict settings or and supported approximately 48,000 children from nomadic communities, UNICEF communities with school management, works to provide non-formal education and planning, and inclusive education training. accelerated learning programs that meet local needs. For example, in 2017, UNICEF and ● Had over 750 experts working on education partners provided curriculum to 75,000 programs in 155 countries. vulnerable, out-of-school children through applied gaming and personalized engagement. ● Spent $1.2 billion on education, including $46 million for girls’ education; $11 million UNICEF invests in disaster risk planning, to reach children with disabilities; and $62 peacebuilding and emergency preparedness in million for life skills, vocational training and schools by supporting risk assessments, and development for adolescents. providing training to prepare for and respond to crises. For example, in 2017, UNICEF ● Helped 8.8 million children in need of worked with Sierra Leone’s government to access to quality formal and non-formal pilot a national school safety guide in 924 education services in 48 countries and all schools, including the training of school 7 regions affected by natural or human- personnel and the development of school made crises. ● July 2018

About Gender Equality and UNICEF The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) Girls’ Empowerment works in more than 190 countries and territories to put children first. UNICEF The Situation for Women and Girls has helped save more Best friends Genet children’s lives than any Despite great strides in realizing the rights of and Misra smile after other humanitarian organi­ women and girls, 5 million more girls of primary getting back from collecting water, zation by providing health school age than boys are out of school globally. a task that can care and immunizations, Maternal mortality reduction has been uneven; sometimes take clean water and sanitation, hours in the nutrition, education, more than 800 women die every day from very hot sun. complications related to pregnancy and emergency relief and more. UNICEF USA supports childbirth. New HIV infections are rising UNICEF’s work through disproportionately among adolescent girls, the fundraising, advocacy and only group for which AIDS-related deaths are education in the United increasing. And despite declines, 12 million girls States. Together, we are are still married every year, and in countries working toward the day when no children die from where it is practiced, around a third of girls preventable causes and between 15 and 19 have undergone female every child has a safe and genital mutilation (FGM). healthy childhood. For more information, These are not only violations of girls’ rights to visit unicefusa.org. health, education and protection, but they impede development progress. The fifth Global Goal for Sustainable Development is to achieve gender equality and empower all women and

girls. Achieving this will require ending © UNICEF/UN09378/SEWUNET discrimination, violence and harmful practices such as forced marriage, child marriage and ensures that the most marginalized and female genital mutilation. It also means vulnerable groups, especially girls, are investing in women’s and girls’ health and empowered so they can grow up to lead protection, and ensuring equal participation of healthy, productive lives. women and girls in political, economic and public life. UNICEF’s gender work has four pillars: violence in emergencies; girls’ secondary UNICEF Empowers Girls education; ending child marriage; and UNICEF advocates for the protection of promoting girls’ health. Each of these issues children’s rights, to help meet their basic cuts across UNICEF’s core programs of health, needs, and expand opportunities so they can HIV and AIDS, WASH (water, sanitation and reach their full potential. Promoting the equal hygiene), nutrition, education, child protection rights of women and girls and investing in their and social inclusion. full participation in political, social and economic spheres are essential to achieving UNICEF is a founding partner of the Global this mission. UNICEF’s equity approach Program to Accelerate Action to End Child Marriage. Child marriage denies girls the right UNICEF is a leader when it comes to data and to a childhood, limits girls’ right to education, evidence on the situation for girls and women. UNICEF perpetuates cycles of poverty, and heightens Knowing where the most vulnerable groups works with the risk for complications from pregnancy and are and what is driving their exclusion shapes childbirth for mothers and babies. The global UNICEF’s evidence-based policies and programs. governments program focuses on 12 priority countries in and South Asia, Africa and the Middle East to reach In emergency settings, UNICEF provides 2.5 million girls by 2019 who are at risk of child violence prevention and support services community marriage or already married. UNICEF is also to millions of girls and women. Whether in actors in working at the national level in 48 additional protracted conflicts, or the aftermath of a countries to prevent child marriage through natural disaster, UNICEF is on the ground 157 countries advocacy, new legislation and enforcement before, during and after an emergency to of existing laws to establish the legal age of reduce risks before a crisis hits, and respond to advocate marriage at 18. quickly to the needs of girls and women. for girls,

Girls’ education is a powerful development 2017 Gender Equality Snapshot promote tool and creates a virtuous cycle. Educated In 2017, UNICEF: gender girls are less likely to marry young and are more likely to become healthy women and ● Spent $46 million on girls’ education. equality mothers with healthy babies, escape poverty and influence their communities to empower ● Ending child marriage and early unions was a and realize their own girls. Great progress has been targeted priority for UNICEF in 64 countries. the rights made on girls’ education at the primary and secondary levels, but the most vulnerable ● Directly supported 7,800 schools with of girls and girls remain out of school. Twice as many girls girl-friendly WASH programs, bringing the women. as boys will never start school. UNICEF is total number of schools covered from working to increase enrollment for girls, 2014–2017 to more than 50,000. achieve gender parity in secondary education, and increase the number of women in ● Supported 50,000 schools to build girl- educational leadership positions to ensure friendly sanitation facilities in 58 countries. sustainable progress. For example, the ‘Let Us Learn’ program in Madagascar provided cash ● Increased implementation of menstrual transfers to more than 100,000 girls in seven health management in WASH in Schools regions, enabling over 21,000 out-of-school programs, doubling from 22 to 44 countries. girls to access catch-up classes and re-enter formal schooling. Education programs are ● Over 25 million live births were delivered in closely linked with WASH programs to reduce health-care facilities supported by UNICEF the barriers adolescent girls face in attending programs that provided technical and school and managing menstrual hygiene, by financial assistance. ensuring separate latrines. UNICEF also supports social protection programs, ● Supported more than 46,000 pregnant including cash transfers to help cover the cost women living with HIV to continue of school fees, books, transportation and antiretroviral therapy. uniforms. ● Reached 3.6 million women and children Adolescent girls face a number of health with services to prevent and respond to GBV challenges, including HIV and AIDS, anemia, in crises. and female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C). UNICEF continues to prioritize HIV/AIDS ● 25 million child marriages were averted in prevention for young people as part of its the past decade through the strong support vision to achieve an AIDS-free generation and commitment of resources from UNICEF by 2030 through investing in treatment and and partners. support for people living with HIV and ensuring that HIV-positive adolescents have ● Worked in 90 countries prioritizing gender- access to antiretroviral treatment services, responsive adolescent health. even in times of crisis. UNICEF works directly with young women to develop policies that ● Provided life skills and educational support benefit them — from reproductive health and for 2 million adolescent girls, to help them HIV prevention to the prevention of gender- stay in school and pursue alternatives to based violence. early marriage. ● July 2018

About Health and Immunization UNICEF Every day, some 15,000 children under the age of The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) five die from things we can prevent. works in more than 190 countries and territories to put children first. UNICEF Maternal and Child Health has helped save more around the World children’s lives than any other humanitarian organi­ Great progress has been made in the past 25 zation by providing health years in preventing the deaths of children care and immunizations, under five. Between 1990 and 2016, the clean water and sanitation, number of children under five dying every nutrition, education, year fell from 12.7 million to 5.6 million. But emergency relief and more. UNICEF USA supports this progress has not been universal. Still, UNICEF’s work through every day about 15,000 children die from fundraising, advocacy and things we can prevent. education in the United States. Together, we are Malaria, diarrhea and pneumonia are among working toward the day when no children die from the top five killers of children under the age of preventable causes and five. Low-cost, proven solutions like oral every child has a safe and rehydration salts to treat life-threatening healthy childhood. diarrhea or insecticide-treated mosquito nets to For more information, prevent malaria are still not available for every visit unicefusa.org. child who needs them.

Meanwhile, millions of children lack access to simple and affordable vaccines to protect Five-month old Alexander receives a check-up them from diseases like polio, measles and immunizations.

and tetanus. Nearly half of all child deaths © UNICEF/UN060130/ZMEY happen in the first 28 days of life. One in every three births takes place without a UNICEF in Action skilled birth attendant or health care worker. UNICEF helps shape governments’ health Babies who don’t survive their first month policies and budgets, train health care workers, often perish from preventable causes and strengthen immunization and community such as sepsis, respiratory infections, health programs, while simultaneously or contaminated water. working with local actors — religious leaders, community health workers, municipal These preventable child deaths are linked to authorities and families — to generate demand a lack of national capacity to design, carry for health services. out, and maintain national health systems. Many countries still lack trained health UNICEF’s support to governments and workers, adequate supply chains, well- communities includes: equipped and sanitary health facilities, and policies that meet the needs of marginalized ● Scaling up maternal, newborn and child and poor families. health care services. ● Ensuring the availability of pre-natal and against measles and 60.4 million against post-natal obstetric and newborn care. diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis. Simple, proven, ● Promoting breastfeeding and vaccinating ● Engaged in polio eradication programs in children against deadly diseases. over 50 countries. low-cost solutions ● Ensuring the availability of essential medical ● Delivered more than 1.3 billion doses of oral supplies and drugs. polio vaccines. could save millions of ● Increasing access to rapid diagnostic testing ● Since 2014, an additional 10 countries have for killer diseases. eliminated maternal and neonatal tetanus, mothers’ averting an estimated 81,000 newborn ● Strengthening national health systems to deaths. and children’s prepare and respond to health crises. lives every ● Helped reduce the price of a complete set 2017 UNICEF Health and of childhood vaccines to $18, including a 50% year. UNICEF Immunization Snapshot reduction in the cost of pentavalent vaccine. works at In 2017, UNICEF: ● Supported the training of over 83,000 the highest ● Invested $1.37 billion in its health programs community health workers, with more than around the world. 240,000 such workers trained since 2015. levels of government ● Reached 45% of the world’s children with ● Ensured access to health care services for vaccines, procuring 2.4 billion doses of 15.2 million women and children in and with vaccines for 102 countries, valued at $1.3 emergencies. grassroots billion. ● Provided insecticide-treated bednets to actors to ● Helped vaccinate 60.6 million children nearly 1 million families. ● ensure that every child can survive and thrive.

Two little girls wait to be seen by health workers in a camp for the displaced near Baghdad, . The medical center provides vaccinations, nutrition and health services to vulnerable children displaced by conflict and crisis. © UNICEF/UN025421/KHUZAIE January 2019

About Humanitarian UNICEF The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) Emergencies works in more than 190 countries and territories to In 2017, 1 of every 4 children in the world put children first. UNICEF has helped save more was living in a country affected by emergencies. children’s lives than any other humanitarian organi­ zation by providing health From deadly natural disasters to public health care and immunizations, Iraqi Kurdish refugee emergencies and protracted conflicts, children Barzan Hassan holds clean water and sanitation, are facing an unprecedented number of one-year-old Yamar, outside nutrition, education, humanitarian emergencies. Some 350 million their shelter in Ritsona emergency relief and more. refugee camp north of UNICEF USA supports children are living in countries affected by Athens, Greece. UNICEF’s work through conflict and crisis, many of them missing out on fundraising, advocacy and their rights to education, health and protection. education in the United Nearly 65 million people have been uprooted States. Together, we are from their homes, fleeing war, conflict and working toward the day when no children die from persecution, or are on the run in search of a preventable causes and better, safer life. And children are increasingly every child has a safe and the targets of war — violently attacked at home, healthy childhood. at school and in the street. For more information, visit unicefusa.org. The poorest countries feel the effects of climate change most acutely — and no one suffers more from these disasters than children. Hundreds of millions of children live in areas that are most affected, and UNICEF estimates that almost 600 million children will be living in areas of extremely high water stress by 2040.

Phenomena like El Niño exacerbate already © UNICEF/UN057931/GILBERTSON harsh conditions and weather. The 2015–2016 El Niño effect put over 26 million children in epidemics, to pre-positioning nutrition and eastern and southern Africa at risk — increasing WASH supplies in drought and flood-prone cases of severe acute malnutrition and water areas. It also means investing in disaster risk shortages, and even the risk for HIV infection, assessments to understand where vulnerable as many lacked the food they needed to take communities are, providing appropriate training HIV drugs. for local authorities, and setting up social safety nets for vulnerable families to withstand shocks Now more than ever, the international commu- and crises. nity must invest in emergency preparedness and measures to build the resilience of vulnera- UNICEF in Action ble populations to reduce the risks of disasters UNICEF is on the ground before, during and before they strike. This includes everything from after emergencies strike, to respond quickly shoring up public health systems to stave off and help communities build back better. Through its Core Commitments to Children UNICEF is constantly adapting to new in Humanitarian Action (the CCCs) UNICEF challenges. For the first time in decades, as Every $1 is dedicated to emergency preparedness, migrants and refugees made their way to invested in response and recovery that ensures children’s Europe in 2015 amid the Syrian war, UNICEF rights are met, even in times of crisis. reestablished programs in some European emergency countries where the organization hadn’t been preparedness In 2017, UNICEF responded to 337 humanitari- operating since World War II, providing an emergencies in 102 countries, providing support in child-friendly spaces for those returns $2 life-saving health, nutrition, water, sanitation traveling in search of refuge. UNICEF learns in efficiency and hygiene (WASH), education and protection from past emergencies and values innovative services. approaches to do things smarter, faster, and gains that better. Whether it’s developing collapsible jerry Through the global emergency cluster system, cans to reach more people with clean water, or reduce the UNICEF leads other humanitarian partners on using mobile phones to track the spread of a risk of future WASH, nutrition and gender-based violence disease, UNICEF can pivot quickly to deliver preparedness and response, and co-leads the lifesaving aid to children wherever they are. disasters. education cluster. In these leadership roles, UNICEF is responsible for coordinating the To address recent public health emergencies response, convening partners, and ensuring — from Ebola to Zika — UNICEF launched a there are no gaps or duplications of effort in new Health Emergency Preparedness Initiative. emergency response. The initiative provides a package of support for priority diseases, to allow for quick response With program offices in 157 countries, rooted in evidence-based approaches that can 7 regional offices, and global headquarters halt the spread of diseases and address the in 6 cities, UNICEF can tap into existing underlying drivers of an outbreak. partnerships and systems — from heads of state down to local communities — mobilizing 2018 UNICEF Humanitarian Action a fast and efficient response when disaster Snapshot strikes. UNICEF is committed to reaching In the first 10 months of 2018, UNICEF: children no matter where they are, operating in some of the most difficult conditions and ● Responds to more than 300 humanitarian hard-to-reach places in the world, from Syria situations every year. to South Sudan and beyond. ● Helped 5.9 million children access formal In New York, UNICEF operates a 24/7, or non-formal education, including early 365-days-per-year operations center. The learning center is constantly monitoring the movements of UNICEF staff for their safety and security, ● Reached 2.6 million children with treatment and closely following political upheavals, for severe acute malnutrition (SAM). conflicts, weather patterns and other threats to children and UNICEF programs. The operations ● Vaccinated 4.7 million children against center serves as a first port of call when measles. disaster strikes, allowing UNICEF to account for staff’s whereabouts and convey the latest ● Provided over 35 million people with access news from the ground to senior leadership at to safe water. headquarters and regional offices to help activate a timely, efficient response. ● Provided psychosocial support for 3.1 million children and caregivers. In Copenhagen, UNICEF operates the largest humanitarian warehouse in the world, and can ● UNICEF’s global cluster rapid response pack and ship supplies anywhere within 48–72 teams supported 28 countries, including hours. UNICEF also has supply hubs in Dubai, four Level 3 emergencies. Panama, Shanghai and Djibouti, to surge supplies regionally as needed. At the country ● Reached over 1 million children with cash level, program teams pre-position life-saving transfers. stocks of water purification tablets, ready-to- use therapeutic food (RUTF), education ● Reunited nearly 6,000 children with their materials, health equipment and other supplies families in South Sudan. ● to reach remote populations quickly in the event a disaster strikes. July 2018

About Children, HIV and AIDS UNICEF Every day, more than 100 adolescents die of AIDS. The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) works in more than 190 countries and territories to Worldwide, fewer than half of all infants born put children first. UNICEF to mothers with HIV are tested for infection by has helped save more 2 months of age. Left untreated, half of children’s lives than any children with HIV will die before the age of 2 other humanitarian organi­ zation by providing health years. For adolescents, the stakes are even care and immunizations, higher. AIDS is the second most common clean water and sanitation, cause of death among adolescents globally, nutrition, education, and the leading cause in Africa. emergency relief and more. UNICEF USA supports UNICEF’s work through UNICEF has been working with partners on a fundraising, advocacy and concerted global effort to fight HIV/AIDS for education in the United over two decades, helping to prevent over 30 States. Together, we are million new HIV infections — including 1.6 working toward the day million among children — and over 8 million when no children die from preventable causes and AIDS-related deaths since 2000. One major every child has a safe and success is increased access to antiretroviral healthy childhood. treatment for HIV+ pregnant women to For more information, prevent mother-to-child transmission of HIV. visit unicefusa.org. Felix, 18 months old, plays with a ball. However, children living with HIV haven’t He tested negative benefited from the same level of treatment as for HIV, thanks to a UNICEF-supported adults. Only one-third of children under 15 with PMTCT program.

HIV are getting the lifesaving treatment they © UNICEF/UNI102430/NESBITT need, though 70 percent of pregnant and breastfeeding women with HIV are. An adolescents with HIV and tackling underlying estimated 120,000 children under age 15 died factors that cause HIV among children and of AIDS-related causes in 2016. While deaths their families. due to AIDS have decreased overall since 2010, deaths among adolescents have actually Ensuring that mothers with HIV have access increased to about 55,000 per year. to antiretroviral therapy remains a top child survival priority. UNICEF is working to reduce An AIDS-Free Generation new infections in children and reduce infant Is Within Reach deaths, providing innovative point-of-care HIV UNICEF is working to achieve an AIDS-free diagnostic tools for early identification, so that generation by 2030 — for all children to be babies can start life-saving treatment as soon born free of HIV and remain so for the first as possible if they are found to be HIV-positive. two decades of life. UNICEF’s strategy focuses Children already living with HIV must have on eliminating mother-to-child transmission, access to treatment. To achieve this, UNICEF preventing infection among adolescents, is working to scale up access to HIV drugs. providing treatment for children and Adolescent HIV prevention is a special focus other programs, including health, social for UNICEF. By investing in proven HIV protection, nutrition, WASH, emergency Every prevention strategies, we could avert 2 million programming in conflict and natural disaster 2 minutes, new infections among adolescents by 2020. settings, and an overall focus on empowering Ensuring that adolescents have access to new girls and women. In 2016,16.5 million children an adolescent HIV diagnostics with same-day test results can had lost one or both parents to AIDS. These is infected save lives. UNICEF has helped reduce the time children still often face significant economic it takes to get HIV test results from over 20 and social obstacles. They require protection, with HIV — days to less than a day in , Kenya, care and support. UNICEF supports HIV- most of them Malawi, Mozambique, , and sensitive social protection programs in Lesotho Zimbabwe, and also dramatically reduced the and Tanzania to lower HIV risk and vulnerability girls. AIDS time it takes patients to start antiretroviral among adolescents (especially for girls). treatment once they find out their HIV status. is the leading HIV/AIDS Snapshot cause of UNICEF is also working hand-in-hand with UNICEF: families and young people themselves to raise death among awareness on HIV prevention and tackle ● Has worked with partners to avert more than adolescents discrimination against those living with HIV/ 1.6 million new HIV infections among AIDS. It is critical that children affected and children since 2000. in Africa and infected by HIV/AIDS receive special care and support, and that parents and caregivers have ● Has helped more than 18.2 million people the second access to information and skills to provide for worldwide have access to HIV treatment highest their children. Cash transfer programs are — about half of all people currently living helping to stem the underlying drivers of risky with the virus. cause of behavior, reduce infection rates for vulnerable death among groups, and provide greater access to ● Worked on an aggressive scale-up of AIDS treatment. And UNICEF is empowering youth treatment with partners, leading to a drop in adolescents with innovative, free technologies, such as AIDS-related deaths from 2 million in 2005 globally. U-Report, which allows teens to anonymously to 1.1 million in 2015 (a 45% decline). text questions about HIV and AIDS and provide feedback to health care providers. ● Supported more than 46,000 pregnant women and 40,000 children in emergency UNICEF’s HIV/AIDS programs are closely settings who were living with HIV to planned and carried out in harmony with its continue treatment. ●

A health worker in Malawi laughs and cuddles with an eight-month- old baby. His mother is HIV-posi- tive, so he was tested for HIV six weeks after his birth — he was HIV-free. He’ll continue to be tested as long as he is breastfeeding. © UNICEF/UNI201820/SCHERMBRUCKER July 2018

About Nutrition UNICEF Some 155 million children under five — about 1 in 4 The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) worldwide — are chronically malnourished. works in more than 190 countries and territories to put children first. UNICEF Every day, 15,000 children under age five die has helped save more from things we can prevent — that’s about children’s lives than any other humanitarian organi­ 10 children every minute. Nearly half of these zation by providing health deaths are attributable to malnutrition. Some care and immunizations, 155 million children — about 1 in 4 worldwide clean water and sanitation, — are chronically malnourished; their brains nutrition, education, and bodies are stunted. emergency relief and more. UNICEF USA supports UNICEF’s work through Nutrition is critical for a child’s mental and fundraising, advocacy and physical development, particularly in the first education in the United 1,000 days of life. After this golden window States. Together, we are of opportunity, if malnutrition is not addressed, working toward the day when no children die from children will be at a higher risk of infection, preventable causes and disease and long-term health risks, and will be every child has a safe and less likely to do well in school and reach their healthy childhood. full potential. Meanwhile, millions of children For more information, suffer from a lack of essential vitamins and visit unicefusa.org. minerals, such as vitamin A, folic acid, iodine, Girls in Ethiopia cook iron and zinc, which leaves them prone to nutritious food together. In 2016, El Niño had infection and disease. devastating effects for child nutrition in Ethiopia and other eastern and Some 17 million children under age five were southern African countries.

severely acutely malnourished in 2017, putting © UNICEF/UN024888/SEWUNET them at high risk of death. In early 2017, a famine struck , South Sudan, Yemen sanitation services and 844 million people lack and Nigeria, with a famine looming in nine access to safe drinking water. For babies and other countries, tipping the scale of severe young children, this can be lethal. The lack of malnutrition even higher. Many countries are safe drinking water, sanitation and hygiene saddled with a double burden of under- and leads to nearly 1,000 child deaths every day. over-nutrition, with 42 million overweight The best way to prevent these deaths and children under 5 in 2017 — an increase of 12 chronic malnutrition among young children is million children since 2000 — putting them at to breastfeed. Breastmilk is a baby’s first higher risk for diabetes and heart disease. vaccine — the first and best protection infants Millions of mothers are also malnourished, have against illness and disease. which increases the risks for impaired fetal development, low UNICEF Nutrition Programs birth weight and suboptimal breastfeeding. UNICEF is working in 120 countries to carry out maternal and child nutrition programs. Globally, 2.3 billion people lack access to basic Working in direct partnership with governments, UNICEF is helping drive policies countries, including 58 nutrition crises. and budgets, while also partnering at the UNICEF works to build communities’ The reduction grassroots level with community leaders and resilience to disasters before they strike, and of stunting families themselves to ensure nutrition for the strengthen government health and nutrition most vulnerable. systems to reduce the risks of malnutrition in is one of the times of man-made and natural disasters. For most cost- As the leader of the global Scaling Up Nutrition example, drawing on lessons learned from the (SUN) movement, UNICEF is working with 60 nutrition crisis in the Sahel, UNICEF effective SUN countries to expand proven, cost-effective strengthened contingency plans in eastern development nutrition interventions to ensure good maternal and southern Africa in preparation and child nutrition. Priorities include: for widespread floods and droughts caused tools. On by El Niño in 2015, equipping 21 country ● Promotion of breastfeeding, including offices in the region with early warning action average, counseling and support for mothers. plans to quickly respond to malnutrition crises one dollar and save lives. UNICEF also scaled up a rapid ● Food fortification, such as salt iodization and response to the famines in Somalia, South invested in micronutrient supplementation, including Sudan, Yemen, and Nigeria in 2017. the prevention vitamin A and zinc for children, and iron and folic acid for pregnant women. 2017 UNICEF Nutrition Snapshot of stunting In 2017, UNICEF: ● Linking nutrition programs to WASH, early leads to a childhood health, education, and social ● Invested $665 million in nutrition programs, $16 return on protection programs. with approximately 560 nutrition experts around the world. productivity. ● Communicating with families and communities to raise awareness and ● Treated 4 million children for severe acute demand for maternal and child nutrition malnutrition in 67 countries — 75% of whom support. were treated as part of emergency nutrition responses. ● Preventing and treating life-threatening severe acute malnutrition (SAM) among ● Was the largest global supplier of Ready-to- young children. Use Therapeutic Food (RUTF), purchasing 80% of the world’s RUTF as well as ● Generating malnutrition data and raising the majority of therapeutic milk. awareness with governments, civil society and community leaders on proven, cost- ● Delivered micronutrient powders to more effective nutrition solutions. than 15.6 million children across 91 countries — three times the number of UNICEF is also the global leader when it children reached in 2014. comes to nutrition emergency preparedness and response. In 2017, UNICEF responded ● In collaboration with partners, supplied to 337 humanitarian situations in 102 approximately 553 million vitamin A capsules to 58 priority countries. ●

Children with severe acute malnutrition (SAM) in northeast Nigeria have been admitted to therapeutic feeding programs run by UNICEF and partners. © UNICEF/UN041140/VITTOZZI © UNICEF/UN041140/VITTOZZI July 2018

About Social Inclusion UNICEF UNICEF is working harder than ever to promote The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) the rights of children everywhere. works in more than 190 countries and territories to put children first. UNICEF Every child has a right to a fair chance in life, has helped save more to live free from extreme poverty and discrimi- In Armenia, UNICEF’s children’s lives than any ‘Together We Can’ campaign other humanitarian organi­ nation. Fairness has always been at the heart of provides supportive and zation by providing health UNICEF’s work — from the time UNICEF was developmental day care for children with disabilities. care and immunizations, established to meet the needs of children after clean water and sanitation, World War II, to today, as millions of children nutrition, education, are uprooted from their homes due to conflicts emergency relief and more. and wars they did nothing to create. UNICEF USA supports UNICEF’s work through fundraising, advocacy and Despite great progress over the past two education in the United decades to improve the situation for children, States. Together, we are crushing poverty and widening disparities working toward the day in health, education and protection still when no children die from preventable causes and undermine the lives of millions of children. every child has a safe and Between 1990 and 2016, the number of healthy childhood. children who died each year from preventable For more information, causes fell by more than half, from 12.7 visit unicefusa.org. million to 5.6 million. But 15,000 children still die every day from things we can prevent. Children in the poorest households are nearly twice as likely to die as those from the wealthiest households. 385 million children

still live in extreme poverty and 689 million © UNICEF/UN038653/PIROZZI children live in households deprived of nutrition, health care, education, or water and these deprivations at once: the same girl who sanitation — being denied, from early on, an doesn’t have enough to eat is often also out of equitable chance in life. school; she may also be living with a disability and at risk for exploitation and abuse. Many children are excluded from realizing their basic rights because of their gender, race, Protracted conflicts, often fueled by the ethnicity, geographic location or disability. inequitable distribution of resources and Children are excluded from education because marginalization of ethnic or religious groups they are poor. They are denied health services further compound the suffering of children because they live in remote areas or urban and young people. In humanitarian situations, slums. They are at risk of physical injury and the poorest children are the hardest hit. loss because they live in communities hit Communities devastated by climate-related hard by climate change. Marginalized children disasters often have the fewest resources to are at greater risk for exploitation and abuse. rebuild and recover, and remain at greater risk And many children experience several of to future disasters. UNICEF in Action the World Bank Group to deliver cash transfers Of all the world’s inequities and injustices, to over 1.3 million of the most vulnerable Discrimination this is perhaps the most fundamental: Children households, reaching nearly one third of the creates and growing up in poverty are nearly twice as likely population, including many in humanitarian to die before reaching their fifth birthday as are situations, by strengthening national social compounds children growing up in better circumstances. protection systems. inequity. An unconscionable majority of them die of preventable causes. Most of these deaths In addition to partnership with governments, In the face could have been averted with low-cost, UNICEF also works with civil society actors, of social high-impact solutions. UNICEF has found that local leaders and families themselves to tackle investments in the most deprived children and the underlying drivers of child poverty and exclusion, communities provide greater value for money exclusion. For example, UNICEF worked with spent than equivalent investments in less the civil society partner BRAC International in children in deprived groups. Every $1 million invested in Bangladesh to unpack the drivers of harmful the most dire the poorest children and communities saves social norms and customs that exclude nearly twice as many lives as equivalent children from school. This is leading to an situations investments that do not reach the poor. By increase in school enrollment among children are the least reaching those poorest communities with with disabilities, girls and other disadvantaged cost-effective health interventions, we can groups. UNICEF also empowers children to likely to avert 70 million under-five deaths by 2030. have a voice and be agents of change for the world they want. UNICEF’s free, open-source receive UNICEF works in direct partnership with SMS platform, U-Report, is reaching more than the care, governments to identify who the most 2 million users in 45 countries in 2018. vulnerable and excluded children are, and Through this tool, young people can voice resources what they need. Through evidence gathering their opinions, share information on what is and services and policy guidance, UNICEF helps shape happening in their schools and communities, social protection systems that affect children and demand that local leaders make changes they need. nationwide. UNICEF policy experts help to improve their lives. governments monitor their budgets to allocate resources to the poorest and most UNICEF Social Inclusion Snapshot marginalized children, and design programs ● Children make up only a third of the global that will bring the greatest results. UNICEF population, but account for half of the also champions children’s rights and people living in extreme poverty, living on promotes access to justice, ensuring that less than $1.90 a day. legal frameworks protect minorities from discrimination and exclusion. ● There are an estimated 93 million children with disabilities in the world. They are often Cash transfer programs are an important social the most marginalized and vulnerable. protection tool that can help keep the poorest, most vulnerable households out of extreme ● From 2014 to 2017, UNICEF invested over poverty and ensure access to health care and $1.2 billion in social inclusion programs, quality education. Women-headed households supported by over 195 professional staff in are often the recipients of these cash grants, 155 country offices. which have been proven to strengthen women’s financial security, social status and ● UNICEF helps governments in 157 countries participation in the labor force. In Nigeria, to provide critical social protection legislation poverty is a primary barrier keeping children and programs for the most vulnerable and out of school. A cash transfer program was marginalized children. specifically designed by UNICEF to foster gender equality and was implemented in ● UNICEF worked to strengthen social selected schools. Evaluations showed strong protection systems for humanitarian action results, and the program will begin to be in 40 countries. ● scaled up. In Yemen, UNICEF partnered with July 2018

About Water, Sanitation and UNICEF The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) Hygiene (WASH) works in more than 190 countries and territories to put children first. UNICEF WASH and Children has helped save more Globally, 2.3 billion people lack access to basic children’s lives than sanitation services and 844 million people lack any other humanitarian organization, by providing access to clean drinking water. The lack of health care and immuni­ these basic necessities isn’t just inconvenient zations, safe water and — it’s lethal. sanitation, nutrition, education, emergency relief Over 800 children die every day — about 1 and more. UNICEF USA supports UNICEF’s work every 2 minutes — from diarrhea due to unsafe through fundraising, drinking water, poor sanitation, or poor advocacy and education in hygiene. Suffering and death from diseases the United States. Together, like pneumonia, trachoma, scabies, skin we are working toward the and eye infections, cholera and dysentery day when no children die from preventable causes could be prevented by scaling up access and every child has a safe to adequate water supply and sanitation and healthy childhood. facilities and eliminating open defecation. For more information, visit unicefusa.org. Ensuring access to water and sanitation in UNICEF has helped schools can also help reduce the number of increase school children who miss out on their education — enrollment in Malawi through the provision especially girls. Scaling up access to WASH of safe drinking water.

also supports efforts to protect vulnerable © UNICEF/UN040976/RICH children from violence, exploitation and abuse, since women and girls bear the heaviest Today, UNICEF has WASH programs in 113 burden in water collection, often undertaking countries to promote the survival, protection long, unsafe journeys to collect water. and development of children and encourage behavior change around WASH. UNICEF works UNICEF and WASH directly with governments, community-based Since 2014, more than 150 million people organizations and families to ensure access to benefited from improved water supplies as a clean and secure supplies of water and result of UNICEF’s direct support; two thirds convenient sanitary facilities. Improving of these individuals were in emergencies sanitation and hygiene in schools is essential to contexts. UNICEF programs that started with increasing school attendance and empowering an emphasis on water supply hardware, such children as agents of change in their homes and as drilling rigs and hand pumps, have evolved communities. As the lead emergency agency in toward a focus on sanitation and the “software” the WASH sector, UNICEF offers a core of supporting policy development, building the package of water, sanitation and hygiene capacity of institutions and raising awareness interventions in times of humanitarian about hygiene. emergency. 2017 UNICEF WASH Snapshot ● Reached 45 million people with improved In 2017, UNICEF: water supplies and 22 million with improved Over 800 sanitation, the highest numbers ever reached. children ● Invested over $1 billion to reach the most vulnerable children and families around the ● Distributed 3.5 million hygiene kits, including die every world with WASH. immediate response kits, family hygiene and day — about dignity kits and locally designed kits — more ● Carried out water, sanitation, and hygiene than double the number procured the year 1 every 2 programs in 113 countries with 650 experts. before. minutes — ● Continued to coordinate WASH ● Improved WASH facilities and services in from diarrhea humanitarian action as lead agency of the over 51,000 schools and 5,000 health WASH Cluster, in a total of 69 countries. centers, since 2014. ● due to unsafe drinking Community health water, poor workers have taught Amnata child health-related interventions, including sanitation, or hand washing and other good hygiene practices. poor hygiene. © UNICEF/UN065186/PHELPS