UNICEF has been doing great work in India. In this article, we have discussed Major programmes launched in India with the help and guidance of UNICEF.
UNICEF Programmes in India
- The government of India with assistance provided by UNICEF has launched the National Mission for Drinking Water and the National Literacy Mission.
- Many community development programmes have been started in the rural areas of India with the help provided by UNICEF.
- The government of India started the production of Oral Rehydration Therapy (ORT) to reduce infant and child mortality rates because of diseases related to diarrhoea.
- The government along with UNICEF and other agencies have been working together for promoting iodised salt to prevent iodine deficiency disorders.
- UNICEF in partnership with the government of India has been taking steps to accelerate the rural water supply programme.
United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF)
UNICEF was set up by the UN General Assembly to help children who suffered during the Second World War. It also catered to the needs of the children in post-war Europe. Later, it began fulfilling the needs of all developing nations in the world. Currently, the agency is known as the United Nations Children’s Fund.
- UNICEF is headquartered in New York and has more than 200 offices in developing countries.
- UNICEF depends on voluntary contributions made by the governments of many countries, donations made by private agencies, sale of greeting cards and through various fundraising activities.
Objectives of UNICEF
The objective of UNICEF is to look after the welfare of children, especially in developing countries. This is done by providing low-cost community-based services in child health, nutrition, and vaccination.
Functions of United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF)
- It protects children who struggle for survival, have health concerns and looks after their well-being.
- It provides services in primary health care, nutrition, basic education and sanitation in the developing countries.
- It also provides funds for training health and sanitation workers, teachers and nutritionists.
- It provides technical supplies and stationery material related to education such as paper and textbooks.
- It also provides help to children during emergencies arising from natural calamities, civil wars and spread of epidemics.
- It takes several steps to prevent diseases such as tuberculosis, malaria and skin diseases.
- It also speaks on behalf of children and upholds the Convention on the Rights of the Child and works for its implementation.
Also, Read 3 Most Important Agencies of the United Nations