UN Logos

The United Nations Agencies:

You can find U.N. agencies by searching the agency on the web or going to www.un.org/issues/ and selecting the issue of interest

  • United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) supplies technical and financial assistance to developing countries for programs to benefit children and mothers. These programs target nutrition, water and sanitation, education, maternal and child health issues.
  • United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) promotes poverty reduction, crisis prevention and democratic governance.
  • World Health Organization (WHO) promotes and coordinates research and programs that advance the cause of disease prevention and primary healthcare. WHO provides techinal assistance to improve national health, education, nutrition, water and sanitation, and maternal and child health; conducts immunization campaiges; coordinates the response to outbreaks of communicable diseases; and coordinates the global battle to control HIV/AIDS.
  • Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) provides protection and material assistance to refugees and negotiates with governments to resettle or repatriate them.
  • United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) offers technical advice to states, coordinates scientific research, disseminates environmental information and facilitates the implementation of environmental treaties.
  • Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) works for the protection of all human rights for all people. It helps empower people to realize their rights and assists those responsible for upholding such rights.
  • World Food Programme (WFP) supplies emergency food relief and nutritional assistance for the most vulnerable -- such as children, pregnant women and the elderly.
  • United Nations Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM) supports projects benefiting women in developing countries and conflict zones.
  • United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) helps nations to gather demographic data and to plan and implement programs related to population and reproduction health.
  • Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) helps governments to improve the production, processing, marketing and distribution of food and argricultural products; to promote rural development; and to eliminate hunger.
  • United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) promotes collaboration among nations in the fields of education, science, culture and communication. UNESCO trains teachers and education planners, assists developing countries with their communications and media, and organizes scientific explorations.
  • International Labor Organization (ILO) seeks to improve working conditions and set international labor standards while also assissting member states in such areas as vocational training, occupational health and safety, and social security.