The United Nations Children's Fund hasn't always had smooth sailing, economically and otherwise. However, it enters its 50th year this week with an impressive record.
UNICEF, organized amid the post-war suffering that gripped the world in 1946, has helped make life easier for many. According to its annual report released this week, the number of children who die each year has fallen from 25 million to 12.5 million during those 50 years. In the last 15 years alone, the lives of an estimated 20 million children have been saved through immunizations. The percentage of children worldwide who are immunized against diphtheria, pertussis, polio and tetanus has gone from 5 percent in 1960 to 80 percent today.The battle to keep children safe and healthy is a never ending one in a world filled with wars, poverty and ignorance, but UNICEF has accomplished much good.
Despite the bickering over budget matters this year, Congress has agreed to give $100 million to UNICEF and $300 million to other international child-survival programs in the coming year. That was a good decision.
More than 250,000 children still die each week worldwide from easily preventable diseases and malnutrition. Much work remains for UNICEF's next 50 years.