Why U.S. Government Support Matters to UNICEF
UNICEF’s partnership with the U.S. Government and the American people makes a profound difference in children’s lives.
Since its creation in 1946, UNICEF has helped save more children’s lives than any humanitarian organization in the world. No other organization does more to help vulnerable children around the world to survive and thrive. No organization does more to put children first!
UNICEF supports maternal, prenatal, and newborn care; child health and nutrition; clean water and sanitation; quality basic education for girls and boys; and protecting children from violence, exploitation, and AIDS. Because of its unique experience and global presence, UNICEF is able to participate in all stages of assistance – emergency response, post-crisis recovery, and long-term development.
UNICEF’s partnership with the U.S. Government and the American people makes a profound difference in children’s lives. UNICEF and the United States helped to cut the number of under-five child deaths globally from 12 million a year in 1990 to 5.2 million today.
However, we cannot forget that approximately 15,000 children still die every day from preventable causes. That is one child dying every 5 seconds. Nearly half are children under one year of age. Pneumonia and diarrhea alone account for a third of all child deaths. Globally, undernutrition is a factor in nearly half of all child deaths.
Saving more children’s lives involves everyone pitching in, including the U.S. Government. The U.S. Government’s annual contribution to UNICEF is part of America’s global investment in children. This funding enables UNICEF to partner with the United States to nurture and improve the lives of children around the world.
Fiscal Year 2025 Appropriations
Every fiscal year, the U.S. Congress must pass appropriations to fund U.S. Government programs and agencies, including the contribution to UNICEF. UNICEF’s funding typically has appeared in the International Organizations and Programs Account in the State, Foreign Operations and Related Programs Appropriations bill.
Congress is working on the appropriations for Fiscal Year 2025.This support is needed now more than ever as more children are impacted by conflict and climate change. That is why we are asking Congress to provide a voluntary contribution to UNICEF of $175 million for Fiscal Year 2025.