The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF)

The United Nations Children's Fund, better known by its acronym UNICEF, was mandated by the UN General Assembly to advocate for children's rights, help meet their basic needs, and expand their opportunities.

UNICEF's work with refugees is based on a resolution from its Executive Board calling on the agency "to continue providing emergency assistance to refugee and displaced women and children, particularly those living in areas affected by armed conflict and natural disasters." It carries out this task in collaboration with other UN agencies and the international community.

UNICEF and UNHCR jointly promote children's rights as outlined in the Convention on the Rights of the Child. In practice this involves obtaining support for unaccompanied and separated children; insuring the psychological well being of children and their families; providing basic education; and meeting the health needs of children, adolescents, and their mothers.

The agency also works to strengthen water and sanitation services for the benefit of refugees and displaced persons and in the case of repatriation of refugee populations.