This economic fund allows us to act quickly in emergency situations such as Libya or Morocco.
Today, children around the world face a historic combination of crises: from armed conflict y massive population displacement TO disease outbreaks infection or a significant increase in the rates of malnutrition. In turn, each of these crises is exacerbated by the action of climate change which gives rise to new dangerous conditions.
At UNICEF we work in more than 190 countries and territories and every year we respond to hundreds of humanitarian emergency situations around the world (442 crises in 128 countries by 2022) serving children and families affected by earthquakes, floods, nutrition crises, conflicts, etc. .
However, we live in an unstable world where resources are more limited and there are many men and women who need help. In this context, have the right support to act quickly and effectively This is key to developing decisive and timely humanitarian action that can save and protect many lives.
What is the UNICEF Emergency Fund?
she Emergency Fund allows us to have the resources to respond to the most urgent needs of families in first hours after any emergency situation.
Thanks to the presence of our UNICEF teams before, during and after emergencies, with these funds we can provide assistance agile and adapted to each context, fast and effective in coordination with governments and other humanitarian actors.
These funds are of great importance to the work of UNICEF, they are combined with Thematic Financing and in general they give us a great margin of flexibility to help children who experience a sudden emergency situation or , on the contrary, situations that last a long time. time and create lasting but urgent needs while the public’s attention is elsewhere. They are also useful in supporting countries to be better prepared and reduce the impact of disasters.
This is some countries where we use these funds themed to save many men and women.
Pakistan
When devastating floods hit Pakistan in August 2022, millions of children suffered dire consequences, mainly due to lack of access to critical life-saving services. In this case, the existence of supplies that were previously located in the country key to UNICEF’s response, which focuses on meeting the immediate needs of drinking water, health and nutrition.
Many of the worst affected districts were already among the most vulnerable in the country before the floods. They have children suffering from malnutrition, poor access to water and sanitation, and low school enrollment. The loss of essential infrastructure, including thousands of schools and public health centers, deepens this existing inequality, leaving children at greater risk of hunger and disease.
Haiti
More than 5 million people, almost half of the population, need more security and access to essential services. At UNICEF we work in different areas and a very important one response to cholera outbreaksmeeting the needs of water, sanitation and hygiene.
On the other hand, we give psychosocial support for children and the families who moved across the border and we have already provided access to education to about 26,000 men and women, who take care of the purchase and transportation of materials for the rehabilitation and construction of schools affected by the 2021 earthquake.
Turkey
When two powerful earthquakes and their many aftershocks hit southeastern Turkey in February, millions of children needed immediate help. The earthquakes pushed many families to the brink, leaving them without access to essential services such as clean water, education and health care.
As of early August, more than 180,000 people were still living in makeshift shelters with limited or no access to basic services. About 340,000 people live in tents or containers.
UNICEF was able to rapidly deploy and expand the response to the earthquake, especially through establishment of support centers which allows us to come up with psychosocial assistance to more than half a million people.
Afghanistan
More than 29 million people, almost 16 million boys and girls, cannot meet their basic needs due to a long combination of emergencies from conflict, political and economic crisis or the drought that the country is suffering.
Can important supplies that were previously located in Afghanistan – hygiene kits and water purification tablets in high-risk districts – have been key to UNICEF’s response, which also provides training on water, sanitation and hygiene to address cases of acute diarrhea. Besides, we reached over 90,000 people with media campaigns to prevent cholera.
The box is one of these examples showing the importance for us to have these funds that facilitate the fulfillment of our mission: save, protect and develop childhood beyond the place where they are. You can help us too!
