United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF)
UNICEF is the United Nations agency that works for children. It says it was established in 1946 in the aftermath of World War II to help children whose lives and futures were at risk, and that it now works in over 190 countries and territories with over 17,000 staff. Its work is funded entirely through voluntary contributions: total income was US$8,084 million in 2025, of which US$1,517 million was unearmarked Regular Resources, and spending was US$8,151 million. An Executive Board provides intergovernmental support and oversight under the policy guidance of the UN General Assembly and the Economic and Social Council. UNICEF says it responded to 414 humanitarian emergencies in 2025 and estimates that 213 million children needed humanitarian assistance that year. Catherine Russell is its eighth Executive Director.
Who leads it
- Executive Director (8th): Catherine Russell (unicef.org)
- Deputy Executive Director, Programmes: Omar Abdi (unicef.org)
- Deputy Executive Director, Humanitarian Action and Supply Operations: Ted Chaiban (unicef.org)
- Deputy Executive Director, Partnerships: Kitty van der Heijden (unicef.org)
- Deputy Executive Director, Management: Hannan Sulieman (unicef.org)
The UK and the UNICEF
The UK appears in UNICEF's 2025 annual report as a Regular Resources partner, with a contribution of US$21 million in 2025. UNICEF's pages reviewed do not state whether the UK holds a seat on the Executive Board.
Key figures
| Figure | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Total income (2025) | US$8,084 million, down from US$8,263 million in 2024 | UNICEF, read 23 October 2026 |
| Regular Resources (unearmarked) (2025) | US$1,517 million | UNICEF, read 23 October 2026 |
| Other Resources (earmarked) (2025) | US$6,568 million, down 2 per cent | UNICEF, read 23 October 2026 |
| Public sector and private sector income (2025) | Public US$5,523 million (69 per cent); private US$2,209 million (27 per cent) | UNICEF, read 23 October 2026 |
| Total expenditure (2025) | US$8,151 million, of which US$7,396 million on development | UNICEF, read 23 October 2026 |
| Procurement (2025) | US$5.7 billion (US$3.8 billion goods, US$1.9 billion services) | UNICEF, read 23 October 2026 |
| Humanitarian emergencies responded to (2025) | 414; UNICEF estimates 213 million children needed humanitarian assistance | UNICEF, read 23 October 2026 |
| Staff (Current) | Over 17,000 | UNICEF, read 23 October 2026 |
| UK contribution to Regular Resources (2025) | US$21 million | UNICEF, read 23 October 2026 |
What it decides
- The Executive Board provides intergovernmental support and oversight of UNICEF under General Assembly and ECOSOC guidance.
- UNICEF decides how to use unearmarked Regular Resources and earmarked Other Resources in programmes for children.
- It procures vaccines and supplies at scale: US$5.7 billion of procurement in 2025, including 3.2 billion vaccine doses delivered to 103 countries.
- It runs humanitarian responses, with 414 emergencies responded to in 2025 and US$559 million in humanitarian cash assistance.
- It sets country programmes in areas such as nutrition, education, child protection, water and sanitation and child health.
- It reports results for children yearly, including children reached with health, nutrition, education and protection services.
Timeline
- 1946: UNICEF is established after World War II. (unicef.org)
- 1965: UNICEF receives the Nobel Peace Prize. (unicef.org)
- 1989: UNICEF helps bring about the Convention on the Rights of the Child. (unicef.org)
- 2025: UNICEF responds to 414 humanitarian emergencies and records income of US$8,084 million. (unicef.org)
- 2027-02-02: First regular session of the Executive Board scheduled for 2 to 5 February 2027. (unicef.org)
How it is held to account
- The Executive Board provides intergovernmental support and oversight under General Assembly and ECOSOC guidance (UNICEF Executive Board page).
- UNICEF has an Evaluation function, Internal Audit and Investigations, and an Ethics office, each listed on its website.
- A public channel lets anyone report fraud, abuse or wrongdoing.
- UNICEF publishes a yearly annual report and a Funding Compendium with income by source.
- UNICEF links to a transparency portal from its about page.
Records you can check
- UNICEF Annual Report 2025Results for children, expenditure and procurement
- Funding Compendium 2025Income by source and Regular and Other Resources
- Executive leadershipExecutive Director and Deputy Executive Directors
- Executive BoardRole of the governing body and session dates
- UNICEF historyFounding and milestones
- About UNICEFMandate, funding model and links to audit, evaluation and ethics
Common questions
What does UNICEF do?
UNICEF says it works for children's lives and futures in over 190 countries and territories. Its 2025 annual report lists results in child health, nutrition, education, protection, water and sanitation, and humanitarian response, including 414 emergencies responded to and the delivery of 3.2 billion vaccine doses.
Who runs UNICEF?
Catherine Russell is UNICEF's eighth Executive Director, according to its executive leadership page. She is supported by four Deputy Executive Directors: Omar Abdi (Programmes), Ted Chaiban (Humanitarian Action and Supply Operations), Kitty van der Heijden (Partnerships) and Hannan Sulieman (Management).
How is UNICEF funded?
UNICEF says its work is funded entirely through voluntary contributions. Total income was US$8,084 million in 2025, down from US$8,263 million. Public sector income was 69 per cent and private sector income 27 per cent. Unearmarked Regular Resources were US$1,517 million and earmarked Other Resources US$6,568 million.
When was UNICEF founded?
UNICEF's history page says it was established in 1946 in the aftermath of World War II to help children and young people whose lives and futures were at risk. It received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1965 and says it helped bring about the Convention on the Rights of the Child in 1989.
How much does the UK give to UNICEF?
UNICEF's 2025 annual report lists the United Kingdom as a Regular Resources partner with a contribution of US$21 million in 2025. That figure covers unearmarked funding only. The report as reviewed does not give the UK's earmarked contributions or total, which UNICEF publishes elsewhere.
How many staff does UNICEF have?
UNICEF's about page says it has over 17,000 staff worldwide and works in over 190 countries and territories. The 2025 annual report did not give a separate staff count on the page reviewed, so the about page figure is the one UNICEF states.
Who oversees UNICEF?
The Executive Board is UNICEF's governing body, giving intergovernmental support and oversight under the guidance of the UN General Assembly and ECOSOC. UNICEF's website also lists evaluation, audit and investigation, and ethics functions, and a channel to report fraud, abuse or wrongdoing.
Other bodies at level 8
- Commonwealth of Nations
- International Court of Justice
- International Criminal Court
- International Labour Organization
- Interpol
- NATO
- UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR)
- United Nations (General Assembly and Security Council)
- United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization
- United Nations Human Rights Council
- United Nations Security Council
- World Food Programme
- World Health Organization
- World Trade Organization
Sources
- About UNICEF, read 23 October 2026
- Executive leadership, read 23 October 2026
- UNICEF Executive Board, read 23 October 2026
- Funding Compendium 2025, read 23 October 2026
- UNICEF Annual Report 2025, read 23 October 2026
- UNICEF history, read 23 October 2026