United Nations Children's Fund (Belize)

UNICEF Belize works as part of the United Nations system to promote and protect the rights of children and women. We are guided by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and core human rights treaties, especially the Convention on the Rights of the Child, the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women and Girls, and the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.

UNICEF works alongside the Government of Belize to implement the United Nations Multi-Country Sustainable Development Framework (UNMSDF). This framework aligns with the country’s Growth and Sustainable Development Strategy (GSDS), the new National Result Framework for Children and Adolescents and our own Programme Country Document.

The UNICEF office was established in 1981, the same year Belize gained its independence. However, our commitment to Belize dates back to 1954 with our early efforts to improve environmental health, vector control, supporting school feeding programs and providing primary school textbooks.

Since then, UNICEF has shifted its focus from direct service delivery for families and children to capacity building. We care for children by supporting child service providers, policymakers and members of the Belizean community.

UNICEF leads the way in educational efforts, early childhood development, legal and institutional reform, stronger systems for child protection and child justice, data management, monitoring and evaluation, and fostering positive adolescent development and participation in Belizean society.

Through our strong partnership with the Government of Belize, we promote legislative and policy reforms and provide support to government and civil society organizations, transforming innovative ideas to reality.