Founded in 1946 by the General Assembly, the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) works with 190 countries and territories around the world, intending to help children and young people whose lives or futures are at risk. It is pledged to guarantee safety and protection to disadvantaged minors, including victims of war, disasters, all kinds of exploitation and violence, and extreme poverty. Its mission is to protect children’s rights, to help them reach their basic needs, and enhance their prospects to reach their full potential; this by providing maternal and child healthcare, ensuring safe drinking water and sanitation, protecting children from violence and abuse, keeping them safe from climate change and disease, and promoting child health, nutrition and HIV prevention.

For the purpose of safeguarding childhoods and protecting their futures the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) is allowed to: 

• Work with governments to mobilize political will and resources (particularly in developing countries), ensure a “first call for children”, and to build their capacity to formulate policies and deliver services for children and their families;

• Develop, support, and promote scholarships, politics, and campaigns that provide access to inclusive and quality education;

• Promote equal rights for women throughout its country programmes and support their full participation in political, social, and economic development within their communities;

• Work and encourage governments to legislate on child protection through promotion;

• Make its facilities available to partners to alleviate the suffering of children and those who provide care, in coordination with the United Nations and with the assistance of humanitarian agencies.