India and UNICEF have worked hand in hand, advancing the health, safety and rights of millions of children across India

For 75 years, India and UNICEF have worked together, advancing the rights and well-being of millions of children. The long-standing trusted and multifaceted partnership is deeply rooted in shared values and a commitment to children’s wellbeing in India and around the world, encompassing child health, safety, protection, equality, rights and wellbeing.

An important, but lesser-known aspect of India’s partnership with UNICEF is India’s role as a key source of procurement of lifesaving supplies around the world. From 2016 to 2023, India supplied to UNICEF, commodities worth $3 billion, including vaccines, and health supplies essential for

UNICEF’s humanitarian and development response to  children’s health and nutrition needs, globally. In 2023 alone, India ranked as the third-largest source of essential supplies for UNICEF, with procurements totalling $483 million. Of this expenditure, approximately 74 per cent was allocated to vaccines, underscoring India’s integral role in supporting global immunisation efforts. India’s collaboration with UNICEF in advancing global health was best exemplified during the COVID-19 pandemic. Demonstrating exceptional leadership, resilience, and innovation, India, as the world’s largest vaccine producer, played a key role in providing COVID-19 vaccines globally. During 2021 and 2022 in partnership with UNICEF, India supplied 292 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines under the COVAX initiative to 47 countries, all of which were delivered to low and middle-income countries. 

Efficiently managed supply chains that allow children, adolescents, and mothers access to quality, safe, equitable, and affordable healthcare and essential services are critical. UNICEF supports the government in establishing and managing these agile, cost-effective, and sustainable end-to-end supply chains.

These have also strengthened UNICEF’s ability to respond swiftly to emergencies and ensure the sustained availability of essential supplies. During COVD-19, UNICEF supported the government address critical challenges by installing oxygen plants, providing medical equipment, and distributing PPE equipment, strengthening the country’s pandemic response.

In fact, over the past decades, UNICEF supported the government’s efforts to strengthen immunisation systems by investing in the capacity building of health workers, upgrading and expanding cold chain capacity, and introducing electronic management information systems to track progress.

These efforts have improved the system’s resilience, preparing the country for future public health emergencies. Supplies are essential to fulfil children’s rights and innovations with sustainable supply chains are important considerations. By partnering with the private sector, UNICEF promotes product innovation, digital transformation, and sustainable procurement, aligning with national priorities and SDG-12 on responsible consumption. In India, UNICEF works with suppliers to adopt eco-friendly business practices, ensuring essential supplies are sourced ethically, supporting both environmental goals and child welfare. Both India and UNICEF recognise that the well-being of children is inextricably linked to the prosperity of future generations.

India has made significant progress in reducing child mortality, increasing immunisation coverage, achieving high enrolment in primary education, and improving access to sanitation and clean water. The 75th anniversary of the collaboration between UNICEF and the Government of India this year is a historic milestone that bears evidence of the legacy of progress. India’s collaboration with UNICEF has remained steadfast which has accomplished millions of children having been vaccinated, educated, and lifted out of poverty. UNICEF remains committed to supporting India, for every child in the country to have equal access and opportunities that help them realize their dreams and aspirations.

(The writer is Representative, UNICEF India; views are personal)