United States Fund for Unicef

Public Information: The USF has reached hundreds of thousands of supporters through issue oriented videos, television and public radio service announcements, a variety of publications, the internet via our website (www.unicefusa.org) and other mobile devices. The various USF communication teams work hard to educate the public about the challenges facing the worlds children which is the global mission of UNICEF. This year millions of children joined adult volunteers to support our trademark fundraiser Trick or Treat for UNICEF. Tens of thousands of companies and individuals were informed about UNICEF through the greeting cards program, and various special events. Educators using TeachUNICEF resources to increase awareness of the programs and activities of UNICEF. Through the UNICEF Kid Power program, kids are empowered to help other kids by being active like moving and learning, they can help feed hungry children.

Advocacy: Through USF's Office of Public Policy and Advocacy in Washington D. C., the USF acts as an advocate for the well being of the world's children. One of the special functions of the Public Policy Office is to advise both the Administration and Congress on the needs of the worlds children. Through the advocacy efforts of USF, the U S Government allocated $134 million to UNICEF in 2019. The U S Government funding is provided directly to UNICEF and is not reflected as revenue in Part I.

Grants to UNICEF and Other Non-Government Organizations: The Board of Directors of the US Fund for UNICEF has authorized grants to the United Nations Childrens Fund and other Non-Government Organization assisted projects from contributions and in-kind gifts received by the USF. These grants were used by UNICEF and other NGOs in more than 190 countries and territories solely for those assistance projects approved by the board of directors. UNICEF HIV/AIDS projects included preventing HIV infection in young people, mother to child transmission and protection, care and support for orphans and children in families made vulnerable by HIV AIDS. UNICEF childhood immunization work included projects to prevent measles, polio, tuberculosis and maternal and neonatal tetanus in impoverished areas. UNICEF girls education projects included those designed to increase the number of girls in school in countries where girls lag behind boys in enrollment, training female teachers, improving girls safety, providing appropriate girls facilities and promoting curriculums and learning environments that are free of gender bias. UNICEF nutritional projects were implemented that focused on proper nourishment for both children and mothers that included providing Vitamin A supplements to strenthen immune systems and preventing iodine deficiency which can cause brain damage and physical retardation. UNICEF and USF also assisted a number of emergency situations by providing clean water, medical supplies, basic health services, educational and recreational supplies. USF supported UNICEF's Global Polio Eradication Initiative activities by piloting the introduction of oral cholera vaccines in emergency settings; scaling up routine immunization; support for the Countdown to 2015 and 2030 for Maternal, Newborn and Child Survival, and scaling up community approaches to total sanitation. USF also supported UNICEF's Schools for Africa and Asia Initiatives including support for water and sanitation and hygiene interventions in schools, teacher training and school materials and improvements and improving access to quality education.