1. What does "UNICEF" stand for?
UNICEF is the United Nations Children's Fund.
When UNICEF was created in 1946, to help the children of war-torn Europe, China and the Middle East, the acronym stood for "United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund."
By 1953 UNICEF's mandate was extended to address the needs of children in the developing world. At that point, the words "international" and "emergency" were dropped from the organization's name, making it simply the United Nations Children's Fund.
UNICEF has saved more children's lives than any other humanitarian organization, and we are working toward a day when ZERO children die from preventable causes. Want to know more? Register and get UNICEF eNews, a monthly update on UNICEF's work in the field and how you can help.
2. What is UNICEF Ireland's mission?
We work for the survival, protection and development of children worldwide through fundraising, advocacy and education.
3. How is UNICEF's budget allocated?
UNICEF’s total income in 2007 was $3.013 billion and total expenditures were $2.782 billion. Of the money UNICEF spent on programs in the field, 52.4 percent went into childhood survival and development, 20.3 percent went into basic education and gender equality, 10.5 percent went into child protection, 9.3 percent went into policy advocacy and partnerships, 6.4 percent went into HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment, and 1.1 percent was spent in other areas.
4. What does UNICEF do?
UNICEF began in the aftermath of World War II as a tiny operation supplying starving girls and boys in Europe, the Middle East and China with dried milk and nutritional supplements.
Today UNICEF works for the survival, protection, and development of children in more than 150 countries and territories around the world.
In cooperation with governments and non-governmental organizations (NGOs), UNICEF helps develop community-based programs to promote health and immunization programs, basic education, nutrition, safe water supply and sanitation services, and continues to provide emergency relief as needed.
5. How can I volunteer for UNICEF in the field?
UNICEF secures volunteers, who must have at least a Bachelor's Degree and two to five years experience in their field of expertise, through the United Nations Volunteers.
Pleave visit www.unv.org for more information. If you are interested in volunteering within Ireland, click here to learn how.
6. Where does UNICEF get its funding?
UNICEF is supported entirely by the voluntary contributions of individuals, foundations, corporations, non-governmental organistions and governments across the world.
UNICEF receives no funding from the assessed dues of the United Nations.
7. What is UNICEF's Ireland's registered charity number?
UNICEF Ireland is a registered charity: No. 5616. To ensure maximum transparency and accountability, UNICEF Ireland is also a registered company in Ireland: No. 371124. Our latest annual report with full audited accounts is available to download here.
8. What has UNICEF accomplished?
Since 1946, UNICEF has led a tireless crusade against disease and suffering, advocating low-cost, practical solutions to the problems facing the world's children. And statistics show that these solutions have been extraordinarily effective:
- A generation ago, 70,000 children died each day. Today that number has been cut by more than half.
- Thirty years ago, 1 in 4 children died before the age of five. Today that number is less than 1 in ten.
- In 1980, 10 percent of the world's children were immunized against the six killer diseases. Today, that number is over 75 percent.
- This year, 3 million more children will live to their fifth birthday than in 1990, and tens of millions will lead healthier, more productive lives.
- In 2008, for the first time in modern history, the number of children dying before the age of five fell below 10 million.
9. How can I update my monthly Global Parent donation?
To change your Global Parent donation options (amount, banking information, etc.) or to cancel your donation at any time, call UNICEF Ireland in Dublin on 01-878 3000 or email eleanor@unicef.ie
10. How do I know my donation won't fall into the wrong hands?
UNICEF has a tested system of checks and balances to ensure proper use of funds, including regular internal and external audits. Spending reports are also published regularly for donors and the public. Transparency measures include regular field visits by staff to monitor spending and progress and payments in instalments to allow for assessments of prior spending.
UNICEF Ireland’s and UNICEF's International Annual Reports are available to download here.
11. How do I know a fundraiser is genuinely raising funds for UNICEF?
All our fundraisers would be knowledgeable about UNICEF Ireland and have a letter of authority or proper Identification badge identifying them as UNICEF fundraisers and a proper fundraising card.
If you have been approached by someone claiming to be raising funds for UNICEF Ireland and you believe they might not be a genuine fundraiser, do not give them any cash and please contact the UNICEF Ireland office on 01- 878 3000 or info@unicef.ie with information on who approached you, how and when.
Sadly fraudulent fundraising is not only affecting UNICEF Ireland – many other charities are also targeted by people who take advantage of generous supporters across the country.
12. Who might contact me from UNICEF Ireland?
At times UNICEF may contact people by telephone to ask for support. If the caller is from a contracted professional telemarketing agency, at the start of the call you will always be told that you are being contacted on UNICEF Ireland’s behalf. If you want to support us but don’t like giving your details out over the phone all of our callers will be happy to send you a letter and a donation form in the post.
If the caller is a member of our in-house fundraising team, they will also say they are calling from UNICEF Ireland and give a specific reason why they are calling. Their function is to promote our fundraising campaigns or ask for tax declarations and so they will have very detailed information about these. They will never ask for bank details. Andrea Wickham and Niki Hall are permanent members of our Donor Services team. During busy periods we might have temporary help, but Niki and Andrea will be available if you would like to check.
In both instances the caller will be knowledgeable about UNICEF and will be able to provide contact details to confirm if the call is genuine.
Contact the UNICEF Ireland office on 01-878 3000 or info@unicef.ie if you would like to confirm anyone’s identity.