For 2013, UNICEF hopes to help millions of children across 45 countries and regions. The price tag: $1.4 billion.
That’s just an initial requirement. As the U.N. agency — whose budget relies entirely on voluntary donations — notes in its appeal issued Jan. 25, the amount is expected to be adjusted, either upward or downward, “as new events occur, additional assessments are carried out and needs are met.”
That happened in 2012. Originally, UNICEF sought $1.28 billion and later revised the appeal to $1.46 billion. Eventually, it gathered $684 million — less than half of the requested funding.
Compared to the Humanitarian Action for Children 2012, this year’s appeal reflects a slightly different roster of priority recipients. While Sri Lanka and Iraqi refugees are no longer mentioned, there are new entries: Myanmar, Angola, Syria (there’s a separate entry for Syrian refugees in neighboring countries), Burkina Faso, Mali and Mauritania.
It also specifies funding for Georgia, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan. In 2012, funding requirements for these countries formed part of the regional appeal for Central and Eastern Europe and the Commonwealth of Independent States.
The funds, according to UNICEF, will be used to provide lifesaving emergency interventions such as nutritional support, health care, water, sanitation, learning spaces and materials, protection services, shelter and information as well as boost preparedness and build resilience at community, subregional and national levels.
Here are the top 10 recipients of UNICEF’s 2013 humanitarian aid appeal:
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