Results for children in India
Our 2020 annual report documents our results and programmes. The focus of our work in 2020 was the COVID-19 pandemic response.
In 2020, UNICEF India with partners acted fast to refocus and accelerate its support to reverse the potential adverse impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on children. The comprehensive six pillar response strategy has been extensive in scope and scale.
In this extraordinary crisis, UNICEF has stepped-up its support to the Government of India to support services reaching children. With the support of our partners and millions of frontline workers, UNICEF is assisting in a wide-ranging set of interventions: from reopening nutrition rehabilitation centres and training staff on the promotion of cost-effective infection prevention and control behaviours in communities, to revitalizing crucial vaccine drives; making remote learning opportunities accessible for children. UNICEF is also enhancing the capacities of existing child helplines and a new cadre of counsellors to cope with the rise in distress, anxiety, and fear, especially among children. To stymie the increase in violence against children and instances of child marriage and child labour, UNICEF is working closely with various law enforcement and judicial entities to prioritize and strengthen child protection and welfare initiatives with a special focus on the vulnerable groups.
"The COVID-19 pandemic has upended lives everywhere. It has particularly impacted the well-being of children. Nearly every aspect of children’s life and growth has been put on hold. It has threatened to roll back decades of progress.
The year 2020 was also a year of building resilience to unprecedented change, defining the 'new normal' and forging new ties within our partners and community, as we found new ways to collaborate and reach children and families with services through the pandemic."
Highlights of 2020 results for children in India
In 2020 UNICEF India and partners achieved the following:
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Almost one billion people were reached with messages on prevention of COVID-19 and access to services
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Reached 2.3 million people with critical WASH supplies and services
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Supported 57 million children to learn from home
Assisted 4,500 children without family or parental care
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We continued to advocate for service delivery to mothers and infants. Regular follow ups increased from 44 per cent in 2019 to 79 per cent in 2020
Learn more about who we work with and how we are helping to make life better for boys and girls across India – read our annual report:
Thank you to all our partners and supporters
UNICEF India acknowledges the support of the Government of India, our sister agencies in the United Nations India, international and national partners, the private and public sector donors who have generously supported and pledged funding to the appeal. This includes the Government of Japan, Government of Germany (BMZ/KFW), the Asian Development Bank (ADB), USAID, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), USA, Global Partnership for Education (GPE), DBS Bank India, Hindustan Unilever Limited (HUL), the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, IKEA, Johnson & Johnson, UNICEF National Committee partners, and donors as well as volunteers and supporters who gave their time, money and voices for the effort.