Core Commitments for Children in Emergencies

Introduction

Since its inception, UNICEF’s mandate has involved the rapid response to humanitarian crises. Our continuing presence in more than 150 countries and territories means that we are often on the spot long before, and long after, a crisis or unstable situation occurs. UNICEF’s role in emergencies is to protect children and women, ensure the rigorous application of international standards covering their rights and provide them with assistance. We work with many partners to ensure that this assistance is reliable, effective and timely. Today, as the number of emergencies rises, their complexity is also increasing. They present an added threat to children’s rights. Therefore, our role is now more important than ever before, and our work has adapted to reflect that reality. This document, UNICEF’s Core Commitments for Children in Emergencies, builds on our experience in recent crises and outlines our initial response in protecting and caring for children and women. It states our core response at all levels of the organization.