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Agencies of the United Nations

The organs of the UN are its essential parts. In addition to them, the UN has 18
specialised agencies which deal in specific matters. They mainly work for the well-

being of people in different countries. Let us know about a few of them.

United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF)

The UNICEF is doing a great work in child welfare schemes. It was established in 1946
and its headquarters are located at New York. It runs programmes like disease-care
campaigns, day-care centres and school-food plans. It also holds child education and
teacher training programmes in different countries; for example, the Anganwadi in
India is run by this UN agency. It gets its funds from the member-nations. It also runs

some business activities to earn money, like selling greeting cards and gifts.

World Health Organisation (WHO)

The WHO was established in 1948. Its headquarters are located at Geneva
(Switzerland). It has 194 members. It functions in different countries with the chief
objective to promote health, especially prevention and control of diseases. It conducts

campaigns for eradication of different diseases like malaria and tuberculosis. It
promotes the use of vaccines and trains health workers. It also advises the member-
nations about epidemics or fatal diseases and how they can be tackled. Its work
encompasses provision of safe drinking water, healthcare for mothers, immunisation
programmes, provision of medicines etc.

United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO)
With its headquarters at Paris (France), the UNESCO works for promotion of
education, scientific knowledge and preservation of ancient art and architecture. To

achieve its objective, it conducts exchange programmes on scientific and cultural issues
between different nations, so as to cultivate international understanding. It also works
for promotion of literacy and technology, especially in the under-developed countries.
Its meeting is held once every two years.

International Labour Organisation (ILO)

The ILO was set up in 1919, and when the UN was formed, it became its agency in
1946. Its headquarters are located at Geneva (Switzerland). It looks after the welfare of

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