The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) is a specialized agency of the United Nations that is responsible for providing humanitarian and developmental assistance to children worldwide. Established in 1946, UNICEF operates in more than 190 countries and territories and is guided by the principles of the Convention on the Rights of the Child. UNICEF works with governments, civil society organizations, and other partners to provide health care, education, protection, and other essential services to children and their families, particularly those who are most vulnerable and marginalized. The organization focuses on reaching children in emergency and conflict situations, addressing the root causes of poverty and inequality, and promoting the participation of children and young people in decision-making processes that affect their lives.