UNICEF gets a new head

Update on the UNICEF

UNICEF gets a new head

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• The story: UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has appointed Catherine Russell as the head of UN children’s agency UNICEF. She is an assistant to US President Joe Biden, and also heads the White House Office of Presidential Personnel. From 2013-2017, she served as the State Department’s ambassador-at-large, for global women’s issues. Russell will succeed Henrietta Fore, who resigned in July 2021 because of a family health issue. The United States is the largest funder of UNICEF.
• UNICEF: This organ of the UN is also known as “United Nations Children’s Fund”. It is a United Nations agency responsible for providing humanitarian and developmental aid to children across the world. It is among the most widespread and recognizable social welfare organizations of the world, and is present in 192 countries and territories. The UNICEF is governed by a 36-member executive board. The board establishes policies, oversees administrative & financial plans and approves programs. Board comprises of government representatives, who are elected by the United Nations Economic and Social Council. They are elected for three-year terms.
• Activities of UNICEF: Main activities include - (i) providing immunizations and disease prevention, (ii) administering treatment for children and mothers with HIV, (iii) enhancing childhood and maternal nutrition, and (iv) improving sanitation, promote education, and provide emergency relief in response to disasters.
• The history: UNICEF is the successor of United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund, established on December 11, 1946, in New York, by the U.N. Relief Rehabilitation Administration for providing immediate relief to children and mothers who were affected by World War II. In the same year, UNGA established UNICEF to institutionalize post-war relief work.
• EXAM QUESTIONS: (1) Explain the significance of UNICEF in today's world. (2) What are the areas UNICEF has played a key role in, during the pandemic? Explain.

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