UNICEF - Core Resources Annual Report 2024

Annual Report 2024 CORE RESOURCES for every child, everywhere

THE POW

ER BEH

IN D TH E PRO M ISE THE POWER BEHI ND T HE PROMISEFrom the Executive Director Children are facing unprecedented challenges. How we respond will define a generation. In 2024, amid escalating global pressures, we witnessed something powerful: the impact of united action for children. With public sector partners and growing private sector engagement, UNICEF reached children in more than 150 countries, safeguarding essential services, strengthening national systems and delivering results that last. At the heart of this effort are Core Resources: UNICEF’s most flexible and reliable funding. These unrestricted contributions are the foundation of everything we do, allowing us to quickly direct resources where they are most needed to save and improve the lives of children. This report is a demonstration of what core resources can achieve. It illustrates how the support of governments, businesses, philanthropists, foundations and individuals is enabling UNICEF to advance the rights of children now and over the long-term. Core Resources have helped strengthen birth registration so children can access essential services, expand social protection so that children have healthy meals and go to school, and sustain health services for women and children caught in conflict zones. These are investments in life-saving systems that require unrestricted, dependable resources. Yet, 2024 was also a year of economic shock as the needs of children vastly outpaced funding. The world witnessed one of the sharpest and most sudden contractions in international aid in recent history, quickly impacting the most vulnerable children and families. Critical services were scaled back. Malnutrition treatment, immunization campaigns, education and protection programmes were all affected. Children were left behind – not because we didn’t know how to help, but because we lacked the resources to reach them. Children do not cause these crises. But they are paying the highest price. In a world shaped by climate shocks, conflict and economic instability, every delayed response bears a human cost. These costs cross borders – weakening health systems, economies and the foundations of progress.

we lacked the resources to reach them. Children do not cause these crises. But they are paying the highest price. In a world shaped by climate shocks, conflict and economic instability, every delayed response bears a human cost. These costs cross borders – weakening health systems, economies and the foundations of progress. UNICEF’s Core Resources are not about short-term fixes – they underpin lasting change. Our message to our valued partners is to continue investing in children through Core Resources so that we can build on the gains we have achieved together. UNICEF appreciates all of the support we receive. We are deeply thankful to the governments of Belgium, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, the United States, and the Republic of Korea for their unwavering commitment to core funding. We are especially grateful to the Netherlands, Spain and the Republic of Korea for increasing their contributions in 2024, and to the Netherlands and Sweden for leading the way with multi-year commitments. We also warmly welcome Ireland’s first multi-year contribution in 2024 – a milestone that allows UNICEF to deliver for children everywhere. To our 32 National Committees for UNICEF, thank you for your extraordinary efforts in mobilizing private sector support. We particularly recognize the National Committees in Japan, Korea and Germany – our three largest contributors to core resources – and commend the Committee in the Netherlands for leading the way in increased contributions in 2024. Let us not waver in this critical moment. Through sustained support from our donors, we can continue to drive meaningful, positive change for millions of children across the globe using proven solutions. Together we can create a world fit for every child. Catherine Russell UNICEF Executive DirectorCORE RESOURCES – FOR EVERY CHILD, EVERYWHERE ANNUAL REPORT 2024 1

Core Resources: Uniting the private

and public sectors for children

PARTNER USD (MILLIONS)

Japan Committee for UNICEF 145.0 United States 137.0 Korean Committee for UNICEF 84.6 German Committee for UNICEF 69.4 Spanish Committee for UNICEF 65.8 Germany 65.6 French Committee for UNICEF 57.9 Sweden 56.5 Dutch Committee for UNICEF 48.4 Netherlands (Kingdom of the) 47.1 Norway 45.5 Italian Committee for UNICEF ‒ Foundation Onlus 38.4 Swedish Committee for UNICEF 33.7 United Kingdom Committee for UNICEF 33.1 Switzerland 25.0

PARTNER USD (MILLIONS)

United Kingdom 20.4 Belgian Committee for UNICEF 16.1 Belgium 16.1 Denmark 15.4 Polish National Committee for UNICEF 14.8 United States Fund for UNICEF 14.8 Republic of Korea (the) 14.6 Canadian UNICEF Committee 12.6 Australia 12.3 Finnish Committee for UNICEF 12.1 Portuguese Committee for UNICEF 11.8 Canada 11.5 Committee for UNICEF Switzerland and Liechtenstein 11.3 Japan 11.3 Norwegian Committee for UNICEF 10.7 Top 30 Core Resources partners by contributions received, 2024 UNICEF thanks each of our donors and partners – governments, corporations, foundations, philanthropists, and millions of individuals around the world – for their core resources contributions in 2024. Every dollar, euro, won, krone, pound and yen you contributed to UNICEF amplified our collective impact for children around the world. UNICEF particularly thanks partners who contributed multi-year revenue – supporting even greater predictability in the planning and implementation of programmes for children. Contributors to multi-year Core Resources revenue recognized, 2020–2024

Note: Numbers may not add up because of rounding.

UNICEF particularly thanks partners who contributed multi-year revenue – supporting even greater predictability in the planning and implementation of programmes for children. Contributors to multi-year Core Resources revenue recognized, 2020–2024

Note: Numbers may not add up because of rounding. Based on the value of the agreement signed at the start of the multi-year contribution. Agreements with a lifetime of two years or more defined as multi-year agreements. 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024

Sweden $230.0 million Netherlands $124.4 million Switzerland $90.8 million Australia $80.0 million Belguim $66.6 million Denmark $38.5 million United Kingdom $14.3 million New Zealand $11.4 million Qatar $8.0 million Iceland $5.0 million Luxembourg $23.5 million Canada $33.5 millionCORE RESOURCES – FOR EVERY CHILD, EVERYWHERE ANNUAL REPORT 2024 2 UNICEF’s promise to protect the rights of every child, everywhere, is bold in ambition and global in scope. Delivering on that promise requires more than conviction. It depends on the right kind of support: funding that is flexible, sustained and grounded in trust. At UNICEF, this funding is Core Resources. Official development assistance (ODA) has long been central to this mission. For decades, it has enabled scale, protected lives and helped build stronger, more resilient futures. This responsibility must be shared more broadly, and we are grateful to governments with UNICEF programmes for stepping up with financial contributions to Core Resources and other in-kind support. Today, growing private sector engagement – including from businesses, philanthropists, foundations and individuals – is amplifying that impact, creating a powerful coalition for children across public and private partners. This support is changing lives. Since 2000, 7.9 million more children have survived to see their fifth birthdays. Vaccination efforts have saved an estimated 154 million lives. Stunting has been

amplifying that impact, creating a powerful coalition for children across public and private partners. This support is changing lives. Since 2000, 7.9 million more children have survived to see their fifth birthdays. Vaccination efforts have saved an estimated 154 million lives. Stunting has been reduced by 56 million cases, and over 2 billion people have gained access to clean water. These are not inevitable outcomes. Consistent, flexible investment that spans regions, sectors and generations has been vital part of this success. But progress is fragile. In too many places, it is already being reversed. Core Resources are not just a funding source – they are the foundation of UNICEF’s operating model. With a presence in 190 countries and territories, and trusted partnerships across government and civil society, UNICEF bridges delivery and policy, crisis response and long-term reform, national systems and local solutions. That model is only possible because of unrestricted funding. In the Republic of Moldova, a small Core Resources investment catalysed nationwide social protection reform, increasing child benefits and expanding services to nearly 50,000 vulnerable children. In Viet Nam, Core Resources enabled inclusive education at scale, introducing Universal Design for Learning and digital tools for children with disabilities. In Sierra Leone, unrestricted funds supported the country's first legal accreditation for social workers, reaching over 20,000 cases through a digital management system. In West Africa, UNICEF helped Côte d’Ivoire and Cabo Verde achieve near-universal birth registration, unlocking access to essential services. These are not one-off results – they are systems-level shifts that help children not only survive but thrive. Core Resources create the foundation. Thematic funding builds on it. Together, they create a transformational portfolio of investment, which is one of UNICEF’s most strategic tools for achieving results at scale. Core Resources support our presence and institutional strength. Thematic Funds accelerate impact across nutrition, education,

funding builds on it. Together, they create a transformational portfolio of investment, which is one of UNICEF’s most strategic tools for achieving results at scale. Core Resources support our presence and institutional strength. Thematic Funds accelerate impact across nutrition, education, WASH, health and protection – driving innovation, scale and sustainability in national systems. In a world shaped by climate change, conflict and economic instability, integrated funding is not optional – it is essential. ODA remains vital today as it was a generation ago. And with the private sector stepping up in meaningful ways, we have never had more potential or shared responsibility to act boldly together. Core Resources are not just about funding. They are how UNICEF keeps its promise – turning intent into impact and ensuring that progress for children continues to move forward, even in the toughest of times. The Power Behind the Promise Why unrestricted funding is the foundation of progress for childrenCORE RESOURCES – FOR EVERY CHILD, EVERYWHERE ANNUAL REPORT 2024 3

Core Resources: Income and trends Contributions of Core Resources from donors and partners amounted to a $1.584 billion income in 2024 – helping us sustain the vital foundation for all of UNICEF’s efforts on behalf of children.

In 2024, Core Resources income from voluntary contributions decreased by 3 per cent or $34 million. $26 million of the decrease came from the public sector, and $8 million – from interest, procurement services and other sources – increased by $47 million. For the fourth consecutive year, the share of UNICEF’s total income made up of Core Resources was below 20 per cent – indicating a persistent trend in earmarked contributions for sectors, locations, or humanitarian emergencies, and risk of widening inequities for the most disadvantaged and hard-to-reach children. To ensure progress for every child, UNICEF is making a Call to Action for Member States to fulfil their Funding Compact commitment, and for all donors to increase Core Resources and thematic funding

or humanitarian emergencies, and risk of widening inequities for the most disadvantaged and hard-to-reach children. To ensure progress for every child, UNICEF is making a Call to Action for Member States to fulfil their Funding Compact commitment, and for all donors to increase Core Resources and thematic funding as a proportion of their overall UNICEF portfolio. Investing flexibly promotes resilience in uncertain times, as well as long-term positive change for children. Core resources income by type of partner, 2024 $512.6 million Public sector, 32% $724.9 million Private sector, 46% $346.1 million Other, 22% Total $1.584 billion Private sector Public sector Total 0 200 400 600 800 1000 1200 1400 20242023202220212020 Core Resources income from voluntary contributions by type of resource partner, 2020–2024 Income ratio by type of funding, 2020–2024 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100% 20242023202220212020 37% 41% 30% 49% 46% 45% 20% 17% 14% 33% 49% 18% 31% 50% 19% $7.219 billion $8.122 billion $9.326 billion $8.920 billion $8.263 billion Other Resources Emergency (ORE) Other Resources Regular (ORR)Core Resources (RR)CORE RESOURCES – FOR EVERY CHILD, EVERYWHERE ANNUAL REPORT 2024 4 Highlights of investing in Core Resources Investing in Core Resources is a clear way to help UNICEF work for every child and the SDGs. These highlights show how our five comparative advantages, all enabled by Core Resources, helped us achieve results for children around the world. Leading, convening and pioneering Horn of Africa : Core Resources scaled up an innovative solution using satellite data

show how our five comparative advantages, all enabled by Core Resources, helped us achieve results for children around the world. Leading, convening and pioneering Horn of Africa : Core Resources scaled up an innovative solution using satellite data to detect groundwater, mapping nearly a million square kilometres of territory in drought-prone countries, with the potential to benefit 10 million people in need .

Guatemala : Core Resources positioned UNICEF as a key partner in the transformation of the social protection system, offering the government strategic policy advice and partnerships, which resulted in a $1 billion investment in social protection programmes and mitigation of a three-to-four-fold increase in poverty during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Global : Core Resources fast tracked the integration of cross-sectoral mental health services and care into national systems in 13 countries, modelling new solutions, and reaching more than 8.8 million children, adolescents, caregivers and service providers.

Before, during and after an emergency Yemen : Core Resources safeguarded continued access and expansion of essential health services, contributing to a 23 per cent drop in under-five mortality over the course of the last decade of conflict. Democratic Republic of the Congo: Core Resources supported more than 1,700 health-care facilities to stay operational, securing lifesaving supplies and treatment for more than 129,000 children facing severe wasting.

Madagascar and Mozambique : Core Resources provided the seed funding for UNICEF's Today and Tomorrow Initiative , an integrated climate and disaster finance solution, supporting more that more than 120,000 people in Madagascar and Mozambique with life-saving services in the aftermath of cyclones.

Rwanda : Core Resources reinforced the government’s response to the Marburg disease outbreak, contributing to more lives being saved and a low fatality rate of 22.7 per cent .

This map is stylized and not to scale. It does not reflect a position by UNICEF on the legal status of any country or area or the delimitation of any frontiers.CORE RESOURCES – FOR EVERY CHILD, EVERYWHERE ANNUAL REPORT 2024 5 Scan the QR code or click on the image to read UNICEF’s Data

5 Scan the QR code or click on the image to read UNICEF’s Data Companion and Scorecard for more information on progress against SDG milestones and targets to which Core Resources contributes. Scan the QR code or click on the image to read the Impact Companion . Meeting the holistic needs of children and adolescents Côte d'Ivoire and Cabo Verde: Core Resources provided instrumental support to the governments to bring universal child registration within reach, with more than 9 in 10 children registered before their first birthdays .

Viet Nam : Core Resources supported a more inclusive system for access to learning opportunities for children with disabilities, embedded disability inclusion into national teacher training, and enabled scaling up the Inclusive Education Resource Centres across 14 provinces to prepare children with disabilities to enter mainstream classrooms.

Taking the work to scale India : Core Resources continued to play a vital role in the delivery and scaling up of the government’s flagship water and sanitation programmes, providing safely managed water supplies for 59.3 million people and sanitation services for 17.9 million people in 2024.

Republic of Moldova: Core Resources paved the way for $68 million of government and other investment in the RESTART social protection reform, mitigating a 3.4 per cent rise in child poverty and increasing the value of social benefits for families with children, including Ukrainian refugees, by 42 per cent.

Bangladesh : Core Resources helped UNICEF mobilize and sustain government action to transform children’s nutrition outcomes, contributing to a 40 per cent reduction in stunting among children under five and a nearly tenfold increase in domestic investments in nutrition services over a decade.

Expert staff Jordan : Core Resources funded the first-ever One Stop Centre which offers a proven model for replication across Jordan including Syrian refugee camps, successfully supporting an initial 500 children and women survivors and witnesses of violence, abuse or exploitation with multi-sectoral services.

Sierra Leone: Core Resources strengthened the child protection and case management system, accrediting social workers for the first time and facilitating protection services for more than 675,000 children in

camps, successfully supporting an initial 500 children and women survivors and witnesses of violence, abuse or exploitation with multi-sectoral services.

Sierra Leone: Core Resources strengthened the child protection and case management system, accrediting social workers for the first time and facilitating protection services for more than 675,000 children in five years, including those who have faced violence, exploitation, abuse or neglect.CORE RESOURCES – FOR EVERY CHILD, EVERYWHERE ANNUAL REPORT 2024

6 UNICEF GOALS How we Spend Core Resources to Achieve Results for Children UNICEF strategically spreads spending of Core Resources across the three pillars of the organization’s integrated budget. Core Resources accelerate progress across 12 of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals for children. They support UNICEF’s custodian and co-custodian role in 19 child indicators and programmes for every child which can be sustained through strong national systems in the long term. Expense – actual expenses made in the year. Expenditure – includes the expenses made and commitments of funds. • UNICEF country programmes advancing children’s rights and the SDGs for children around the world • Global and regional programmes ensuring data, technical and thought leadership, and advocacy • Strategic and innovative activities solving the greatest challenges facing children • Emergency Programme Fund (EPF) protecting children and saving lives in sudden-onset emergencies $952 million Expense • Development effectiveness through technical excellence and results-based management for high-quality programmes • Advancing United Nations coordination on strategic development priorities, including the SDGs • Managing human and financial resources to deliver results for children • Capital costs aligned with programme goals and strategies (of which Development Effectiveness was $174 million) $227 million Expenditure • Private sector fundraising, generating new funding for children • Partnerships with the private sector, driving collective impact for children and the SDGs • Innovative finance for children , leveraging new resources for the cause of children $162 million Expense Direct Programmes Budget Institutional

• Private sector fundraising, generating new funding for children • Partnerships with the private sector, driving collective impact for children and the SDGs • Innovative finance for children , leveraging new resources for the cause of children $162 million

Expense Direct Programmes Budget Institutional Budget Special Purpose

BudgetCORE RESOURCES – FOR EVERY CHILD, EVERYWHERE ANNUAL REPORT 2024

7 How are Core Resources allocated to country programmes? The yearly allocation of Core Resources to UNICEF offices in lowand middle-income countries is driven by equity and is based on three indicators which are used to determine the severity of children’s deprivations, demand for social services, and the capacity of the countries to deliver these services to children: Offices continue to receive yearly allocations until the country achieves ‘high income’ status for two consecutive years. Offices may also receive additional allocations for critical and unfunded priorities of the Strategic Plan 2022‒2025, with a particular focus on: adolescent girls, community health and nutrition, education, or climate action. 149 countries and territories 7 regions

home to 2.1 billion children What did Direct Programmes support? 86% $817.2 million Country programmes 5% $42.9 million Strategic and innovative activities 6% $53.9 million Global and regional programmes 1% $6.4 million Other 3% $31.6 million Emergency Programme Fund Country programmes 86% $817.2 million Percentages may not add up because of rounding. The country programmes are the heart of UNICEF’s work for children. Developed with government and other country partners, they are planned and delivered with Core Resources as the foundation for long-term impact, and leverage other funding to deliver on the highest priorities for children and the SDGs. Core Resources allocated to country programmes give UNICEF’s donors and partners the largest global footprint of any investment: A variable amount resulting from the indicators A fixed minimum amount of $850,000 each year

and leverage other funding to deliver on the highest priorities for children and the SDGs. Core Resources allocated to country programmes give UNICEF’s donors and partners the largest global footprint of any investment: A variable amount resulting from the indicators A fixed minimum amount of $850,000 each year This allocation has two parts: Core Resources are first and foremost spent on UNICEF’s Direct Programmes for children in countries and regions, and at global level. They enable UNICEF to not only achieve positive impact, but also make sure that no child is left out of it. Under-five mortality rate Child population Gross national income per capita Direct Programmes Expense overview by categoryCORE RESOURCES – FOR EVERY CHILD, EVERYWHERE ANNUAL REPORT 2024 8 Global and regional programmes 6 % $53.9 million Core Resources contribute to global and regional programmes that enable UNICEF to promote children’s rights as a recognized thought leader, and technical and data expert across all areas that affect children’s lives. Using the power of data to drive transformative change for children If we are to protect the rights enshrined in the Convention the Rights of the Child and meet the SDGs, it is imperative that we know what is happening: How many children are hungry? Who needs to be reached with lifesaving vaccinations? Where are children still subject to forced marriage? Good data are the bedrock of effective response. Thanks to Core Resources, UNICEF is the world’s leading source for data on children, used by over 6 million people annually. For this reason we are also the custodian or co-custodian for 19 child-related SDG indicators. What is UNICEF’s role as the custodian and co-custodian of SDG indicators? Design data collection methods Establish measurement standards Build national-level statistical capacity to generate, analyse and use data Compile and support high-quality national data Maintain global databases and estimates Support countries with geospatial data and analysis But today, national-level data are only available for about half of the indicators, and there is simply not enough

Establish measurement standards Build national-level statistical capacity to generate, analyse and use data Compile and support high-quality national data Maintain global databases and estimates Support countries with geospatial data and analysis But today, national-level data are only available for about half of the indicators, and there is simply not enough quality information to know whether the goals are being met, or where the greatest focus needs to be placed. This challenge applies across lowto high-income countries. UNICEF tackles this challenge with the UNICEF Data Team, a team of dedicated data scientists, statisticians, monitoring specialists, and data protection and privacy specialists, funded through core and other resources. The Data Team ensures that we have an increasingly accurate global picture on the child-related SDGs, updating them with the latest data collected directly from children and families, health facilities, schools, and myriad other data points around the world. Key to this role is the work done by UNICEF’s global household survey programme, the Multiple Indicator Cluster Surveys (MICS), a major data source for 40 SDG indicators and the largest source of data on children worldwide. Throughout, we engage children and young people in the process, increasingly building their capacity to contribute to the global conversation on data and data governance. Those who support Core Resources truly ensure that every child is counted, and that we can identify and better target the children being left behind. Scan the QR code or click on the image to learn more. The data collected, validated and analysed by UNICEF’s Data Team are accessible as a global public good – supporting better informed decisions on children worldwide.CORE RESOURCES – FOR EVERY CHILD, EVERYWHERE ANNUAL REPORT 2024 9 Strategic and innovative activities 5% $42.9 million Selection of ongoing multi-year initiatives supported with Core Resources through the Strategic and Innovative Activities Fund for Children Bold new solutions that can be scaled up to meet demand can be game changers for progress, which is why UNICEF’s Executive Board has mandated UNICEF’s Executive Director to allocate part of Core Resources to strategic and innovative activities.

through the Strategic and Innovative Activities Fund for Children Bold new solutions that can be scaled up to meet demand can be game changers for progress, which is why UNICEF’s Executive Board has mandated UNICEF’s Executive Director to allocate part of Core Resources to strategic and innovative activities. The Strategic and Innovative Activities Fund supports initiatives that can create even greater opportunities for children across all sectors. Total $42.9 million $25.2 million Systems strengthening to leave no one behind $5.3 million Community engagement, social and behaviour change $4.0 million Operational support to programme delivery $3.1 million Data, research, evaluation, and knowledge management $1.9 million Advocacy and communications $1.4 million Innovation $1.4 million Partnerships and engagement: public and private $0.3 million Digital transformation $0.3 million Risk-informed humanitarian and development nexus programming $1.8 million funds implementation of the Joint UNICEF and the Africa Centre for Disease Control Action Plan, supporting stronger primary health-care systems and public health emergency preparedness and response in Africa. $5.8 million funds the prevention of HIV among adolescent girls and young women in 11 African countries: South Africa, Uganda, the United Republic of Tanzania, Zambia, Namibia, Lesotho, Eswatini, Zimbabwe, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the Republic of the Congo and Equatorial Guinea. $10 million funds UNICEF and WHO mental health and psychosocial well-being plans in over 10 countries and a set of foundational investments in UNICEF’s technical expertise and capacity to lead mental health and psychosocial support programmes for children. $5.0 million funds the foundational Programme to End Childhood Lead Poisoning – a new and emerging area of programming for children – with the goal to expand programming from the current 4 countries to an additional 20 countries. $10 million funds the expansion, professionalization and sustainable financing

for children. $5.0 million funds the foundational Programme to End Childhood Lead Poisoning – a new and emerging area of programming for children – with the goal to expand programming from the current 4 countries to an additional 20 countries. $10 million funds the expansion, professionalization and sustainable financing of 16,000 social service workers for child protection in 12 countries – including in humanitarian contexts – to prevent and respond to child protection violations. $10 million funds UNICEF’s work with national governments to advance adolescent girls’ education in 14 countries, to increase the proportion of girls enrolling, attending and completing secondary school with improved learning and life outcomes.Financial adjustments to country programmes in response to currency fluctuations or other economic factors. Other 1% $6.4 million 41% Middle East and North Africa 21% Eastern and Southern Africa 15% West and Central Africa 11% Latin America and the Caribbean 8% East Asia and the Pacific 4% South Asia 1% Global EPF supported critical humanitarian needs for children in the Democratic Republic of the Congo For almost 30 years, children