Set up in 1946, UNICEF was originally called the United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund, designed to be a short-term operation bringing relief to children in 13 European countries after the Second World War. It was not originally intended to become a fully-fledged UN agency, which is why UNICEF was initially dependent on donor governments for its income.
In 1953, it was decided to make UNICEF a permanent fixture in the UN system and expand UNICEF's brief beyond emergency care to longer-term development work. However, because a fundraising apparatus had been now been established (such as greetings cards and pledges from individuals and governments), it was felt it was best to continue this approach. We dropped two words from our title at this time but kept the well-known acronym.
In 1965 UNICEF was awarded with the Nobel Peace Prize.
Copyright © Ffolkes, Pharass & Tigerlily.
All rights reserved. Contact