The United National Children's Fund (UNICEF) has been working for more than 60 years to ensure the survival, protection, and development of children. In more than 150 countries and territories, UNICEF supports programs not only to save children's lives - through interventions in health, nutrition, education, and water and sanitation - but also to advocate for their rights so that every child can reach his or her full potential. As the only organization named in the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child as a source of expertise for governments, UNICEF assesses and sheds light on national and international policies ensuring children are at the top of the agenda. Because of our unique experience and global presence, UNICEF is able to participate in all stages of assistance - emergency response, post-crisis recovery, and long-term development.

Despite great progress, a staggering 22,000 children under five still die every day from preventable causes related to poverty. In addition, many children do not have access to education or adequate healthcare and are subjected to violence and exploitation. UNICEF is committed to changing this reality and to creating a better world for every child. UNICEF strives to protect children's rights, improve their health, and nurture their mental and physical development.

UNICEF's ability to reach as many children as possible with effective, low-cost solutions to counter the biggest threats to their survival, as well as to provide them with the protection and education all children deserve, depends on securing sufficient funding. Our immunization programs alone have saved millions of lives. In 2010, UNICEF procured 2.3 billion doses of vaccines in support of national immunization programs in 86 countries. One billion children were also vaccinated against polio during the same period.

UNICEF is the world's leading advocate for children and their rights.

For more information on UNICEF Canada please visit www.unicef.ca

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