The mission of UNICEF (United Nations Children's Fund) is to ensure that the rights of each and every child and adolescent are fulfilled, respected and protected. Established in 1946 to help in the reconstruction of countries that had suffered most during the Second World War, UNICEF started to work in other countries four years later. Today, UNICEF is the leading advocate for children’s rights, active in 190 countries through country programmes and National Committees.