UnicefUSA

As a supporter of UNICEF USA, you’re a powerful defender of children. Your donations, advocacy and engagement have contributed to the important work UNICEF does to support children around the world.

The impact that UNICEF makes in children’s lives is clear: every year, UNICEF and partners treat millions of children for severe acute malnutrition, respond to hundreds of humanitarian emergencies and reach millions of children affected by conflicts and other crises with education, mental health support and much more.

But did you know that UNICEF’s work abroad helps make for a stronger United States, too? Children who are healthy, educated, protected and respected go on to reach their full potential, in turn lifting up others along with them. Here are three ways that humanitarian aid makes a better world for us all:

Preparing and investing in aid before emergencies happen helps children now and in the future

When a crisis strikes, children are caught in the middle of circumstances that they did not cause and are powerless to solve. Over 473 million children — more than one in six globally — now live in areas affected by conflict, and this figure has risen year after year.

In conflict situations, families are often forced from their homes in search of safety and opportunity elsewhere, with refugee children facing numerous challenges including lack of access to health care, education and other essential services. It’s why UNICEF is dedicated to supporting children by investing in emergency preparedness before a crisis, meeting urgent needs in the immediate aftermath, and staying afterward to help communities build back better.

Early investment in crisis response also ensures more efficient responses in the future. Every dollar invested in high-risk humanitarian situations saves 4X as much on the next emergency, and speeds up operations.

Preventing contagious diseases from spreading across borders protects children everywhere from illness

Diseases do not recognize international borders. When outbreaks of highly infectious diseases like Ebola, polio, measles and mpox strike, the consequences are dangerous for everyone. Vaccinations for children are essential for controlling these diseases and stopping them from spreading across borders and overseas.

Immunizations are one of the most cost-effective public health interventions, preventing an estimated 4.4 million deaths yearly. Put simply: childhood vaccinations save lives. They protect children — and those around them — from serious harm and death. And they’re both extremely safe and highly effective.

UNICEF and partners supply vaccinations to reach 45 percent of the world’s children under 5 years of age, but with the rapid resurgence of previously eliminated diseases, more work must be done to protect us all.

Investing in early childhood development leads to healthier, more educated and more productive adults

The first 1,000 days of a child’s life are an essential indicator of their future. Within this period, a child’s experiences have profound impacts on their physical, cognitive, emotional and social development as they experience the most sensitive period for physical growth and brain development.

Children who are caught in a cycle of poverty or war are put at a disadvantage that can span generations. But a child who is given the resources and opportunities to thrive can become a more resilient and successful adult. Early interventions in a child’s life can reduce the financial strain on health, education and child protection systems.

Investments in early childhood are a cost-effective way to achieve more sustainable growth: for every one dollar spent on early childhood development, the economic return is as high as 13X that. UNICEF’s work in early childhood development focuses on several key areas, including nutrition, education and gender equality. Children who receive early childhood development services grow up healthier and become higher earners — and in turn, they create a better start for their own children, too.

Supporting children everywhere with the resources and opportunities to thrive helps create a safer and more prosperous future for every person on this planet. UNICEF’s interventions and support protect vulnerable children’s lives and build resilience for their families.

Together, we must continue to invest in and support global humanitarian aid — for every child, everywhere.

UNICEF USA