UNICEF

UNICEF - United Nations Children's Fund

UNICEF is active in 190 countries through country programmes and national committees. Some 88% of the Organisation's posts are located in the field. UNICEF’s work contributes to building a world where the rights of every child are fulfilled, as mandated by the United Nations General Assembly. Guided by the Convention on the Rights of the Child, UNICEF promotes child health and nutrition, quality basic education, the protection of children from violence and exploitation, and advocates the full participation of children in the political, social, and economic development of their communities.

UNICEF presence in Bosnia and Herzegovina

UNICEF opened its office in Sarajevo in 1991, three months after the fighting began in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH). Together with the UNHCR and the WHO, UNICEF began working to meet the desperate needs of the women and children caught in the middle of the conflict. In the post-war period UNICEF began to address the consequences of the war and the immediate needs of families and children. Over time, the role of UNICEF evolved from that of an emergency aid provider to supporting government bodies and civil society organisations in their efforts to restructure support services in order to fulfill the rights of children, young people and women.

UNICEF works closely with government partners in support of the education, health, social welfare and justice reform processes, revision of legal frameworks, and the development of standards and guidelines for child protection and inclusion. The Country Programme for 2010-2014 is structured around two major components: Social Policy and Child Rights Monitoring; and Integrated and Inclusive Systems for Children. Building on the results already achieved through the previous cycle, the Programme is centred on education, early childhood development (ECD), mother and child health, HIV/AIDS prevention and child protection.

UNICEF is funded entirely by the voluntary contributions of individuals, businesses, foundations and governments.