UNICEF UK

UNICEF UK

UK Committee for UNICEF
Abbreviation	UNICEF UK
Formation	1956
Type	National Committee
Legal status	Active
Headquarters	London, UK
Head	Mike Penrose (Executive Director)
Parent organization	UNICEF
Website	http://www.unicef.org.uk

UNICEF UK, also known as the United Kingdom Committee for UNICEF, is one of 36 UNICEF National Committees based in industrialised countries. The National Committees raise funds for the organisation's worldwide emergency and development work. In 2007, UNICEF UK raised £41.3 million for UNICEF’s work with children worldwide. UNICEF UK also advocates for lasting change for children. For example, it works to change government policies and practices that are detrimental to children’s rights in the UK and internationally.

Internationally, UNICEF is the leading children’s organisation, reaching children in more than 150 less-developed countries around the world. It works with local communities, organisations and governments to make a lasting difference to children’s lives.

The organisation's global reach allows it to share knowledge across borders, while its local presence – over 85 per cent of UNICEF staff work in developing countries - means it can deliver assistance where it is needed most. With its worldwide presence, UNICEF can respond rapidly wherever disaster strikes, delivering life-saving help for children.

UNICEF believes that every child should have clean water, food, health care, education, and a safe environment in which to grow up. The organisation upholds the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and works to hold the international community responsible for their promises to children.

UNICEF is not funded by the UN. Instead, it relies on voluntary donations to fund its work for children worldwide. UNICEF UK raises funds for these programmes through donations, the sale of cards and gifts, partnerships with companies and special events. UNICEF UK is a registered charity.