The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) Day is observed annually on December 11th to mark the creation of UNICEF by the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) and Ludwik Rajchman on 11th December 1946.
- 11 December 2024 marks the 77th anniversary of the foundation of UNICEF.
- The theme of UNICEF Day 2024 is “Listen to the Future”, highlights the importance of listening to children’s voices to create a brighter tomorrow.
Background:
i.UNICEF, formerly known as the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund, was created by resolution 57(I) of the UNGA on 11 December 1946.
ii.UNICEF initially focused on providing food, clothing and healthcare to children affected by World War II.
iii.Over time, it became an integral part of the UN system, gaining permanent status in 1953 and the name was renamed as the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF).
iv.UNICEF’s exceptional contributions to children’s welfare were recognized and was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize on October 26 1965.
Tagline:
i.In 2008, “Unite For Children” became the tagline of UNICEF.
ii.In 2016, “For Every Child” was adopted as the brand strategy of UNICEF and became a part of its logo.
UNESCO Report:
On December 11, 2024, the UNESCO released the report “The Right Start in Life: Global levels and trends in birth registration, 2024”.
i.Over the last two decades, South Asia has seen the fastest increase in birth registration rates among all regions, soaring from 39% in 2008 to 76% in 2024.
ii.India, Nepal, and Bangladesh have made significant strides in securing legal identities for millions of children.
iii.Over 42 million children under age five are still not registered and remain ‘invisible’ in South Asia.
- According to the report, one-fourth of the total number of unregistered children under five globally lives in South Asia.
Functions of UNICEF:
i.Children’s Health: Provides essential healthcare services, nutritional programs, and immunization to safeguard children’s health worldwide.
ii.Education: Promotes universal education while ensuring gender equality, striving to ensure every child has access to quality learning.
Iii.Child Protection: Works to protect children from exploitation, child labor, and trafficking.
Emergency Relief: In the aftermath of natural disasters, UNICEF delivers vital resources, ensuring that children and families in affected regions receive the support they need.
Note: In 2023, the United States(US) was the largest donor providing USD 1,402 million in funding to UNICEF.
Germany was the 2nd largest donor providing USD 746 million and World Bank Group (WBG) was the 3rd largest donor providing USD 591 million.
About United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF):
Executive Director(ED)- Catherine M Russell
Headquarters- New York, United States of America (USA)
Established-1946
Member Countries- 190
