Support for million children under threat amid aid freeze- UNICEF

United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund (UNICEF) has warned that support for millions of children is under threat by dwindling funding.

In a statement, Christopher Tidey, a Senior Communications Advisor at UNICEF in New York, has urged its donors not to cut critical funding for the program. 

 “These cuts by numerous donor countries follow two years of aid reductions at a time of unprecedented need.  Millions of children are affected by conflict, need to be vaccinated against deadly diseases such as measles and polio, and must be educated and kept healthy,” said Tidey. 

“UNICEF implores all donors to continue to fund critical aid programs for the world’s children. We cannot fail them now.”

Tidey averred that UNICEF is fully funded by voluntary contributions from governments, private sector partners, and individuals.

He added that the contributions have helped save millions of children and even mitigate the risks of instability and violence.

“As needs continue to outpace resources, UNICEF has consistently brought efficiencies and innovations to our work, and we have stretched every contribution to reach vulnerable children.  But there is no way around it, these new cuts are creating a global funding crisis that will put the lives of millions of additional children at risk.”

“With our partners, we have made historic progress. Since 2000, global under-5 mortalities have dropped by 50 per cent. Millions of children are alive today thanks to this work. Millions more have been protected with improved health and brighter futures.’

After being sworn in as the 47th President of the United States, Donald Trump signed an Executive Order banning all foreign aid to developed countries.

Overall, the US plays a significant role in helping UNICEF reach millions of children in need worldwide and supports UNICEF in several key ways, including financial contributions, advocacy and policy support, emergency and humanitarian aid, public-private partnerships, and UNICEF USA, a nonprofit based in the US.

America is the biggest supporter of UNICEF. In 2023, the US government gave the UN body approximately Sh203.3 trillion, according to UNICEF’S website.