Tag Archives: Charitable Organizations

UNICEF

UNICEF

UNICEF, also known as United Nations Children’s Fund and formerly called the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund, is a special program funded by the United Nations (UN) to enhance the overall quality of health, nutrition, and education of children around the world trapped in the unending cycle of poverty and inequality.

The nonprofit organization was established by the United Nations General Assembly on 11th December 1946. The purpose of this life-saving program was first established during World War II, when its only aim was to help children in countries devastated by the aftermath of the global conflict. Afterwards, UNICEF members concentrated their fund in less developed countries, providing free emergency food and education to needy children.

Since its creation, UNICEF has successfully improved the general welfare of children in more than 100 countries. In 1950, UNICEF was able to nourish over 6 million children as it provided them with nutritious food and warm clothing. By 1973, UNICEF was successful in combating the deaths caused by consuming unhygienic food and water.

In 1982, the organization launched the Child Survival and Development Revolution, which focused and encouraged four aspects – monitoring children’s growth, supplying vaccinations, promoting breastfeeding, and oral rehydration therapy. By the implementation of these techniques, UNICEF helped improve the lives of children worldwide. By the end of 1993, the life expectancy rate of children was elevated by over 33%. Moreover, child death rates decreased considerably while there was an increase in school attendance. In most underdeveloped countries, living conditions were slightly improved with the consumption of purified water and healthy food.

In 2012, UNICEF’S global distribution of immunization to unfortunate children led to the eradication of life-altering disease, like polio in India. Owing to UNICEF’s efforts, Africa reported zero cases of polio in 2015.

In addition to the healthcare aid of children, UNICEF has moved one step ahead by protecting children from abuse and violence. Counselors hired by the state members of UNICEF have helped recover children exposed to violence at an early age. In 2016, UNICEF extended their help to underprivileged children of Gaza. Due to the organization’s efforts, parents in the region have reported improvement in their children’s mental health.

Amita Vadlamudi supports many charitable organizations and contributes to many charitable causes. Ms. Vadlamudi has written extensively about various charitable organizations and about volunteering ones time. Some of Amita Vadlamudi’s other articles on this website are:

http://amitavadlamudi.org/2018/03/05/the-magnanimity-of-the-red-cross/
http://amitavadlamudi.org/2018/06/17/peace-corps-diplomacy-in-action/
http://amitavadlamudi.org/2018/10/07/lend-a-hand-be-a-volunteer/

The Magnanimity of the Red Cross

The Red Cross is an international humanitarian organization. Initially its field of activity was confined to looking after wounded soldiers in wars. They later broadened their activities to the alleviation of all forms of human suffering.

Almost all of the countries have branches of Red Cross which operate during times of war and peace. They operate and provide their aid regardless of color, gender, race, disability, etc. During times of peace, Red Cross is involved in providing first aid, preventing accidents, keeping drinking water free of any harmful chemicals, training nurses and midwives, looking after maternity and childcare centers, establishing hospital and blood banks etc. The organization operates on the fundamental principles of humanity, impartiality, neutrality, independence, universality, and unity.

The Red Cross usually focuses on three key areas: disaster response and recovery, development, and promoting social inclusion and peace.

Disaster Response and Recovery:

The Red Cross believes in urgent and immediate humanitarian response to disasters by being prepared in risk reduction. This not only saves lives but also is cost effective and builds resilience. Red Cross makes sure that their volunteers are present before, during, and after a crisis. Volunteers are trained to know how best to comfort and support those affected because they are also one of the affected people.

Development:

The Red Cross is active in health (including extensive HIV/AIDS programming), water sanitation, and food security. They are also into addressing the humanitarian consequences of climate change, urbanization, violence, and regular and irregular migration.

Promoting Social Inclusion and Peace:

The organization works on making sure that their fundamental principles are being applied on a practical level. They support the integration of disadvantaged people in their communities. They work to remove the bridge that divides people because of religions and cultures.

History

The Red Cross was founded in the year 1863 in Geneva by five men. It was first named the International Committee for Relief to the Wounded. It was later converted to the International Committee for Relief of the Red Cross. The emblem was a red cross on the white background.

In 1959, when Henry Dunant, a young Swiss banker, came upon a bloody battle scene in Solferino, Italy he was appalled when he saw that at least 40,000 men lay dead or dying on the battlefield without any medical attention. Dunant called upon the local people to form a committee and help the helpless.

When he returned to his homeland he called for a creation of national relief societies to assist those wounded in war and pointed the way to the future Geneva Conventions.

In the later years, the Red Cross organizations started adding more areas for which they devised up aid plans. As of now they have approximately 97 million volunteers and growing.

 

The author of this article Amita Vadlamudi, a former Computer Software Engineer likes to spend time volunteering in her community. Amita Vadlamudi also supports various charitable organizations including Red Cross which she believes does a very commendable humanitarian work.