UNICEF's rich history in emergency response

When conflict erupts or natural disasters strike, UNICEF's challenge is to provide for the emergency needs of civilians, especially women and children, who are caught in the crossfire or plagued by the drought or swept away by the flood. When emergency situations arise, threatening to derail UNICEF's ongoing work in a country, the challenge is to adapt programmes to better address the changing needs of the affected population. UNICEF's goal in all countries undergoing emergencies is to build on the work already done to lay the foundation for long-term peace and progress. In most emergency cases, certain core interventions are applied to meet basic needs, including health (UNICEF's largest activity in emergencies), water supply and sanitation, education, nutrition, community development, advocacy and initiatives addressing the special needs of women and children. Specific programmes for unaccompanied children, women's reproductive health, child soldiers, land-mine awareness and child prisoners are also employed in many emergency situations. UNICEF works towards the day when children and women no longer face acute threats to their survival and development; but until such time as natural disasters and man-made conflict no longer pose threats to them, UNICEF remains committed to the range of activities required to ensure their protection and well-being.