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About
UNICEF
Created
by the United Nations General Assembly in 1946 to help children
after World War II in Europe, UNICEF was first known as the
United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund.
In
1953, UNICEF became a permanent part of the United Nations
system, its task being to help children living in poverty
in developing countries. Its name was shortened to the United
Nations Children's Fund, but it retained the acronym 'UNICEF',
by which it is known to this day.
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Photograph
by
Roger Lemoyne |
UNICEF
is a global champion for children's rights which makes a lasting
difference by working with communities and influencing governments.
By working in partnership with others, from governments and
teachers to youth groups and mothers, UNICEF is a driving
force for people throughout the world working to ensure a
better future for children.
Children
have a right to education, a decent standard of health and
nutrition, clean water and sanitation, and protection from
abuse and exploitation. But in the new millennium, millions
of children are still being denied these most basic rights.
These are the key ways that UNICEF works to fulfil the rights
of all children.
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Photograph
by
Patricia Baeza |
UNICEF
helps children get the care they need in the early years of
life and encourages families to educate girls as well as boys.
It strives to reduce childhood death and illness and to protect
children in the midst of war and natural disaster. UNICEF supports
young people, wherever they are, in making informed decisions
about their own lives, and strives to build a world in which
all children live in dignity and security.
There
are 161 countries, areas and territories with UNICEF programmes.
As well as supporting UNICEF's global work in all these countries,
the funds raised by the UK Committee are used to support specific
programmes in a smaller number of countries in Africa, Central
and South America and Asia.
For
further information visit: www.unicef.org.uk
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