UNICEF was set up 78 years ago to support children after the Second World War. We are hardwired to protect children during crises.
The Children’s Emergency Fund is a flexible resource that enables UNICEF teams on the ground to respond immediately to the urgent needs of children – wherever and whenever a humanitarian disaster strikes.
From wars, hunger, drought, to floods and earthquakes, global crises are threatening children’s lives, causing trauma and deep imprints that affect their health and wellbeing.
In 2023, UNICEF responded to 412 emergencies in 107 countries – but only a fraction of these emergencies made the news. By providing flexible support for UNICEF’s humanitarian action globally, the Children’s Emergency Fund helps make this vital work possible.
Always ready to support children in conflict and disaster
The sheer scale of UNICEF’s infrastructure and long-term development work around the world means that we are uniquely positioned to respond rapidly and effectively, no matter the crisis or location.
With a vast global procurement and distribution network, including the largest humanitarian warehouse in the world, UNICEF is equipped to respond to any crisis within 48 hours with lifesaving supplies and support.
Sustainable interventions are important because crises are not one-time shocks; their impact can last for years. UNICEF’s humanitarian action takes a cross-sectoral approach that includes health, nutrition, water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH), child protection, education, psychosocial support.
UNICEF in emergencies
Humanitarian action is central to UNICEF’s mandate and realising the rights of every child.
In conflict and disaster, children suffer first and suffer most. During emergencies and humanitarian contexts, children are especially vulnerable to disease, malnutrition and violence. Children living in conflict areas are worst off – they are more likely to be living in extreme poverty, for instance, or not enrolled in primary school.
The chaos and insecurity of war threatens or destroys access to food, shelter, social support and health care, and results in increased vulnerability in communities, especially for children. UNICEF focuses on these children and their families to provide them with the essential interventions required for protection, to save lives and to ensure the rights of all children, everywhere.
UNICEF also works to strengthen the links between humanitarian action and development work. Our presence in many countries before, during and after emergencies, delivers a continuum of support. For example, the rehabilitation and upgrade of water and sanitation systems serve vulnerable households in both the immediate crisis and the longer term.
The Children's Emergency Fund enables UNICEF to:
How you can support
If you are interested in supporting or learning more about the Children’s Emergency Fund, we would love to hear from you. Please get in touch using the details below or complete the online form and a member of our team will be in contact.
Corporate Partnerships
For businesses looking to support, contact Owen Buckley, Head of Corporate Partnerships at owen@unicef.ie.
Philanthropy & Major Gifts
Should you or your family office wish to provide support, please contact Donna Marie O’Donovan, Head of Philanthropy at donna.marie@unicef.ie.
Donations can also be sent directly by post to:
UNICEF Ireland, 33 Lower Ormond Quay, Dublin 1, D01 R283
Or by bank transfer using the details below:
| Account Name: | UNICEF Ireland |
| Bank Name: | AIB |
| Bank Address: | 7/12 Dame Street, Dublin 2 |
| Account Number: | 24070037 |
| IBAN: | IE37 AIBK 9333 8424 0700 37 |
| BIC: | AIBKIE2D |
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