Supply Annual Report 2007

Highlights

In 2007, UNICEF procured over $1.4 billion worth of supplies (an increase of 15 per cent over 2006) of which nearly $1.1 billion was international procurement. The Organization supplied vaccines reaching 55 per cent of the world’s children. UNICEF also procured antiretroviral medicines for 56 countries, and remained one of the world’s largest buyers of mosquito nets and oral rehydration salts. UNICEF assisted 62 countries to respond to emergencies through the urgent provision of essential commodities. Over 12 million children went back to school in 2007 with UNICEF educational supplies. In addition, over $11 million worth of in-kind assistance (including for instance a major donation of Vitamin A from the Canadian Government) was managed, as well as $64 million worth of international freight. Some $671 million worth of procurement services were provided to governments and other partners, leveraging further supplies to children in need.

Due to our programmatic focus, UNICEF is expert in several areas that are key to implementing the MDGs. As examples, vaccine security, the safe delivery of HIV/ AIDS-related products including antiretroviral medicines, back-to-school educational and recreational supplies, the introduction of long-lasting bednets, the transition to the use of artemisinn-based combination therapies (ACTs) for treatment of malaria - all these demand that UNICEF maintains a cutting-edge expertise in procurement for children.

The delivery of strategic supplies directly supports the MDGs and is the cornerstone of the work of the UNICEF Supply Community. Essential supplies cut across all the UNICEF focus areas: young child survival and development, basic education and gender equality, HIV/AIDS and child protection – they save children’s lives, help them grow and protect their rights