The Columbia Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition. 2001-07.
United Nations Childrens Fund
(UNICEF), an affiliated agency of the United Nations. It was established in 1946 as the United Nations International Childrens Emergency Fund. UNICEF is concerned with assisting children and adolescents throughout the world, particularly in devastated areas and developing countries. Unlike most United Nations agencies, UNICEF is financed through voluntary contributions from governments and individuals, rather than by regular assessments. National UNICEF committees collaborate with UNICEF in various projects. UNICEF was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1965.