Unicef was created in 1946 by the United Nations General Assembly to respond to the most urgent needs of European children who, following the Second World War, were in a highly precarious situation.
The first Unicef programs were able to provide emergency help to millions of boys and girls in the Middle East, China and Europe. Since then, the protection of children without distinctions in terms of race, beliefs, nationality or religion has become a universal mission that is now more than 60 years old.
In its role as the United Nations’ organization dedicated to children, Unicef works in 157 developing and transitory countries in order to help children survive and make progress in life.
As the biggest provider of vaccinations to poor countries, Unicef is working to promote the Millennium Development Goals through offering health care and nutrition, basic quality education for all children, the supply of drinking water and the protection of children from violence, exploitation and AIDS.