Definition

1. Proper noun:
   • United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund: An agency of the United Nations (UN) with a primary mandate to provide humanitarian and developmental aid to children and mothers in developing countries. Its work focuses on areas including child health and nutrition, safe water and sanitation, quality basic education, and the protection of children from violence, exploitation, and AIDS.

Usage

• The name "United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund" is used to refer to the organization formally, especially in official or historical contexts. In contemporary usage, it is almost universally known by its acronym, UNICEF, even though its official name was shortened to "United Nations Children's Fund" in 1953, retaining the original acronym.

Examples

• Proper noun:
  • The United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund was created by the United Nations General Assembly in 1946 to provide emergency food and healthcare to children in countries devastated by World War II.
  • Donations to the United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund help support vaccination programs worldwide.

Advanced Usage

• The organization is typically referenced by its acronym, UNICEF. When using the full name, it is often to provide formal context or to explain the origin of the acronym.
  • UNICEF, originally called the United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund, is a leading humanitarian organization.

Variants and Related Words

• UNICEF (acronym/proper noun): The common and official short name for the agency.
  • UNICEF works in over 190 countries and territories.
• United Nations Children's Fund (proper noun): The current official name of the organization, adopted in 1953.

Synonyms

• UN agency: (a broader category) UNICEF is one of many specialized agencies within the United Nations system.
• Humanitarian aid organization: (a descriptive term) Describes the core function of UNICEF.

Noun

1. an agency of the United Nations responsible for programs to aid education and the health of children and mothers in developing countries